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DOCUMENTS

RELATIVE TO THE

V 4 d S^

COLONIAL HISTORY

STATE OF NEW-YOPiK;

PROCURED IN

HOLLAND, ENGLAND AND FRANCE,

JOHN ROMEYN BRODHEAD, ESQ.,

AOENT,

OTDEE AND BY YIETUE OF m ACT OF THE LEGISLATURE ENTITLED "AN ACT TO APPOINT AN AGENT TO

PROCUEE AM) TEANSCKIBE DOCUMENTS IN EUEOPE, RELATIVE TO THE COLONIAL HISTORY

OF THE STATE," PASSED MAY 2, 1839.

VOL. III.

ALBANY:

WEED, PARSONS AND COMPATSTT, PRINTEKS.
1853.

These Documents have been published under the~7[trection of the Governor, Secretary or State,
and Comptroller of the Slate of New-York, in virtue of an Act of the Legislature of the said Stale,
entitled "An Act to Provide for the Publishing of certain Documents, relating to the Colonial Histoiy
of the State," passed March 30th, 1849.

The documents in Dutch and French were trtjnslated by E. B. O'Callaghan, M. D., who was
employed by the State Officers above named for that purpose, and to superintend the publication
generally.

TEANSCPJPTS OF DOCUMEmS

QUEEN'S STATE PAPER OFFICE; IN THE OFFICE OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL; IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM;
AND IN THE LIBRARY OF THE AECHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AT LAMBETH, IX LONDON.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I -VIII.

1614-1692.

INTRODUCTION.

THE OFnCE OF SECRETARY OF STATE IN ENGLAND.

The commencement of tliis office in England is lost in remote anticjuity ; and as its incumlient was
originally appointed by the mere delivery of the King's Signet, there is no existing record of the
succession of the older Secretaries of State.

To the Secretary of State is delegated the authority jjf the Crown throughout the Colonies ; to him
is entrusted the appointment of Ambassadors and other diplomatic functionaries, and the general
superintendence and management of the relations with foreign countries; and it likewise belongs to him
to exercise the duties of a minister of police, to superintend the domestic and internal government of
the country, and to regulate the administration of justice. The Secretary of State is always a Privy
Councillor, member of the Cabinet, and of Parliament.

It is evident, then, that the office naturally divides itself into a triple arrangement, viz : the Hmnc,
Foreign and Colonial departments. Each of these is, now, entrusted to different individuals, and may be
considered a distinct branch of the executive government ; yet, in theory, whatever may be the number
of the Secretaries of State, they constitute but one officer, and are co-ordinate, and equal in rank and
authority. Each is competent to execute any part of the duties of Secretary of State ; the ordinary
division of these duties between them being merely matter of arrangement for the more convenient
despatch of business. No exchange of departments among the three is considered as a new acceptance
of office under the Crown ; and consequently, does not unseat such Secretaries of State as are members of
Parliament.

The Secretaries are still constituted, as in ancient times, by the delivery to them of the seals of office ;
but in addition to this, they have always, in modern times, received a patent under the Great Seal. The
first patent enrolled at the Record Office, Rolls House, London, is that of Sir Thomas Smith, which
bears date 15th September, 1572.

Since the reign of Henry VHI. there have never been fewer than two Secretaries. Soon after the
union with Scotland, the number was professedly increased to three; and, on the 3d February, 1708,
Queen Anne ordered the appointment of a third Secretary, when James, Duke of Queensbury, was
sworn in. He and his successors were esteemed Secretaries of State for Scottish affairs ; but this officer
was discontinued in 1746, when John, Marquis of Tweeddale, resigned the seal. After this, there were
only two Secretaries, until the 20th of January, 176S, when William, Earl of Shelburne, being Secretary
of State, and the Hon. H. S. Conavay having resigned, Thomas, Viscount Weymouth, and Wills, Earl
of Hillsborough, were sworn Secretaries of State : the latter becoming a third Secretary, and being
destined to act for the Colonies.

But, by the statute, 22 Geo. III. c. 82 (17S2), " the office commonly called or known by the name of
third Secretary of State, or Secretary of State for the Colonies," was suppressed and abolithed ; and there
remained but two Secretaries, until, on the 11th July, 1794, a third Secretary was again appointed ;

yi INTRODUCTION.

from vvliich time tliere liave never been less llian ihree, viz : one for llie Homo department, one for Foreign
affairs, and one for the Colonics.

From an early period till tlio year 17G8, it was the practice to distinguish the two departments as
the Northern and the Southern.

The Secretary for the Southern department attended to the aff'airs of the Colonies, until the appointment
of Lord HiLLsnoROUfiH, as Colonial Secretary, on 20th January, 17G8. This office, as it has been already
stated, was abolished by Act of Parliament in the year 1782 ; and about that period, the terms
"Northern" and "Southern" were discontinued, and the departments were styled "Home" and
" Foreign," the former of which attended to Colonial affairs, until the revival of the third Secretaryship
in 1794, when the superintendence of the Colonies was taken from the Homo Secretary, and conducted
by the new officer.

Each department now includes an extensive establishment of Under-Secretaries and Clerks. The
business of the Home dejiartment is conducted in Whitehall ; while the Colonial and Foreign offices are
in Downing street.

There are, altogether, six Undei'-Secretarics of State — two for each department. One of those two is
generally a member of Parliament, and is appointed or resigns with the jjolitical party of which he is a
member. The other Under-Secretary in each office is unaffected by political or ministerial changes ; and,
in the absence of the Principal Secretary, he is tlie Official representative, just as his political colleague is
the Parliamentary organ of tlie department to which he belongs.

Presuming that an accurate list of the English' Secretaries of State, from the time of Queen Eliz.^beth
to the end of the American revolution, is a desideratum to the American historian, I have taken great
pains to prepare one, which, though it may not jaerhaps be confidently affirmed to be correct in every
instance, is, at any rate, believed to be the most complete and perfect now in existence. There does not
appear to be any accurate official list printed ; at all events, I have not been able to find any ; and I was
oblio-ed to collect my information from various sources, official and unofficial. In the following list, the
names of the Secretaries, opposite to which an asterisk ( * ) is set, are taken from the Register of Inrolments
at the Record Office, in the Rolls House, Chancery Lane, which I have carefully examined; and the
dates are those of the respective patents as enrolled. The authority upon which the other names and
dates are inserted is less satisfactory.

I have also appended a list of the under-secretarics from 1680 to 1782.

PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF STATE IN ENGLAND.

QUEEN ELIZABETH.

155S, 17th November-24th March, 1G03.

1558. Sir William Cecil, afterwards Lord Burleigh.

Sir William Petrie : died in 1571.

Sir Nicholas Throckmouton.
*1572 September 15. Sir Thomas Smith.

*1573 February 5. Sir Thomas Walsingham : died April G, 1590.

*1577. Dr. Thomas Wilson.

William Davidson.
1596. Sir Robert Cecil, afterwards Earl of Salisbury.

INTRODUCTION.

*1609 August 1.
*1612 September 29.
*1616 January 8.
*1616 January 9.

1G17.
*1G1J January 8.
*161| February 16.

*162| January 30.

KING JAMES I.
1603, 24th Marc^-27th March, 1025.

Sir Robert Cecil.

Sir Alexander Hay.

Thomas Hamilton.

Sir Ralph Winwood : died October 1, 1G17.

Sir TnoMAS Lake.

Sir John Herbert, vice Winwood.

Sir Robert Naunton, vice Herbert.

Sir George Calvert, afterwards Lord Baltimore,

vice Lake: resigned 9th February, 162|.
Sir Edward Conway, vice Naunton.

KING CHARLES I.

*1625 May 25.
*1625 April 9.
*1625 November 9.

*1632 June 21.

1641.
*164J January 5.

1625, 27 th Makch-30th January, 1649.

Edward, Lord Conway.

Sir Albertus Morton, vice Calvert.

Sir John Coke, vice Morton.

Sir Dudley Carleton, afterwards Viscount Dorchester,

vice Conway.
Francis, Lord Cottington, vice Dorchester.
Sir Henry Vane, vice Coke.
Sir Francis Windebank, vice Lord Cottington.
Sir Edward Nicholas, vice Windebank.
Lucius, Viscount Falkland, vice Vane.
George, Lord Digby, vice Falkland.

COMMONWEALTH.
[no record of secretaries.]

KING CHARLES II.
Ace. 164|. January 30 ; Rest. 1660. May 29 ; Dem. 16S5. February 6.

*1660 June 1.
*1660 June 30.
*1663 December 22.

1668 December 9.
*1672 July 18.

*1674 May 11 (Patent, September 24).
*1678 February 9 (Patent, February 20).
*16S0 Ai^ril 14 (Patent, May 21).
*16S1 March 9.
*1683 March 6.

Sir Edward Nicholas.
Sir William Morrice.
Sir Henry Bennet, created E. of Arlington March 14, 16G|,

vice Nicholas.
Sir John Trevor, vice Morrice.
Henry Coventry, vice Trevor.
Sir Joseph Williamson, vice Lord Arlington.
Robert, Eai-1 of Sunderland, vice Williamson.
Sir Leoline Jenkins, vice Coventry'.
Edward, Lord Conway, vice Sunderland.
Robert, Earl of Sunderland, vice Conway.

INTRODUCTION.

"1084 April 14 (Palcnf, May 1).
4G84 September 25.

SiD.\'EY CrODOLruiN, vico Jenkins.

Charles, Earl oi" Micklleton, vice Godolpliin.

*1C85 March 13.
»16SS October 28.

KINCJ JAMES II.
IGSo, Gtii Febuuarv-IItii Decejiber, IGSS.

Robert, Earl of" Sunderland, continued.
RiCHARU, Viscount Preston, vice Middloton.

1G89.

1689.

1690 December 26.

1C92.
*1694 March 1.5.
*1G96 May 9.
*1697 December 18.
*1700 May 26.
*1700 November 22.
*1701 January 4.

WILLIAM III. A.\D MARY.
1689, 1:Jth February-Sth March, 1702.

Charles, Earl of Shrewslniry.

Daniel, Earl of Nottingham.

Henry, Viscount Sidney, vice Slirewsbury.

Sir John Trenchard, vice Sidney.

Charles, Earl of Shrewsbury, vice Nottingham.

Sir William Trumbull, vice Trenchard.

James Vernon, Esq., vice Trumbull.

Edward, Earl of Jersey, vice Shrewsbury.

Sir Charles Hedges, vice Vcrnun.

Charles, Earl of Manchester, vice Jersey.

QUEEN ANNE.
1702, Sth March -1st August, 1714.

[S. iniUcates the Secretary fur the Southern. N. the Secretary for the Xortheni, Department. ]

S*1702 May 15. Daniel, Earl of Nottingham, vice Manchester.

N*1702 May 22. Sir Charles Hedges, continued.

S*1704May20. Robert Harley, afterwards Earl of Oxford, vice

Nottingham.
1706. (?-iiarles. Earl of Sunderland, vice Hedges.

S 1707. Henry Boyle, afterwards Lord Carleton, vice Harley.

* 1708 February 3. James, Duke of Queensbury ; a new appointment for

Scotland.
N*1710 June 14. William, Lord Dartmouth, vice Sunderland. •

S 1710 September. Henry St. John, afterwards Lord Bolingbroke, vice

Boyle.
1710. John, Earl of Mar, vice Duke of Queensbury.

N 1713. William Bromley, vice Lord Dartmouth.

S*1714 September 17.
N*1714 September 27.

KING GEORGE I.
1714, 1st August -11th June, 1727.

Charles, Viscount Townshend, vice Bolingbroke.
James Stanhope, afterwards Earl Stanhope, vice
Bromley.

INTRODUCTION.

*1714 October S.
N*1716 June 23.

*1717 January 4.
N*1717 April 16.
S*1717 April 16.
S*1718 March 14.
N*1718 March 18.
N*1721 February 10.
S*1721 March 4 (Paleut, March 1;;

N*1723 May 29.

S*1724 Ajml 1 (Patent, April 14).

James, Duke of Montrose, vice Earl of Mar.
Paul Methuen, in the absence of Loid Stanhope.
John, Duke of Roxburgh, vice Duke of Montrose.
Charles, Earl of Sunderland, vice Lord Stanhope.
Joseph Addison, vice Lord Townshend.
James Craggs, vice Addison.
James, Earl Stanhope, vice Lord Sunderland.
Charles, Viscount Townshend, vice Lord Stanhope.
John, Lord Carteret, afterwards Earl GHanville, vice

Craggs.
Robert Walpole, vice Lord Townshend.
Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, vice Lord Cartaret.

KING GEORGE II.

1727, 11th June-25th October, 1760.

S*1727 July 27.
N*1727 July 27.
N*1730 May 8 (Patent, June 27).

1731.
N*1742 February 12 (Patent, February 15).
*1742 February 20.

N*1744 November 24.
N*1746 February 10.
S *1746 February 14.

N*1746 February 14.

N*1746 November 4.

N*1748 February 13.

N*1751 June 26.

S*1754 April 6 (Patent, AprU 15).

S*1755 November 25.
S*1756 December 14.

S*1757 June 30.

Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, continued.
Charles, Viscount Townshend, vice Walpole.
William, Lord Harrington, vice Lord Townshend.
Charles, Earl of Selkirk, vice Duke of Roxburgh.
John, Lord Cartaret, vice Lord Harrington.
John, Marquis of Tweeddale, vice Earl of Selkirk:

resigned 1746, and the office of Scotch secretary

discontinued.
William, Earl of Harrington, vice Lord Cartaret.
John, Earl Granville, vice Lord Harrington.
Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle, vice Lord

Harrington, who took, the same day, Lord

Granville's department.
William, Earl of Harrington, vice Lord Granville.
Philip, Earl of Chesterfield, vice Lord Hariington.
John, Duke of Bedford, vice Lord Chesterfield.
Robert, Earl of Holderness, vice Duke of Bedford.
Sir Thomas Robinson, afterwards Lord Grantham, vice

Duke of Newcastle.
Henry Fox, afterwards Lord Holland, vice Robinson.
William Pitt, afterwards Lord Chatham, vice Fox:

resigned April, 1757.
William Pitt, reappointed.

KING GEORGE IIL

1760, 25th October -29th January, 1S20.

N*1761 March 25 (Patent, April 13). John, Earl of Bute, vice Lord Holderness.

S *1761 October 9 (Patent, October 23). Charles, Earl of Egi-emont, vice William Pitt.

N*1762 May 29 (Patent, June 19). Hon. George Grenville, vice Lord Bute.

N*1763 September 9 (Patent, September 23). John, Earl of Sandwich, vice Grenville.

S*1763 September 5 (Patent, November 15). George, Earl of Halifax, vice Lord Egremont.
Vol. III. B

INTRODUCTION.

Augustus Henry, Duke of Grafton, vice Lord Sandwich,
Hon. Henry Seymour Conway', vice Lord Halifax.
Charles, Duke of Richmond, vice Conway, who took

the Northern Department.
William, Earl of Shelburne, vice Duke of Richmond.
Thomas, Viscount Weymouth, vice Conway : resigned.
Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, appointed Colonial Secretary.
William Henry', Earl of Rochford, vice Lord Shelburne.
John, Earl of Sandwich, vice Lord Weymouth.
George, Earl of Halifax, vice Lord Sandwich.
Henry, Earl of Sufl'olk, vice Lord Halifax.
William, Earl of Dartmouth, Colonial Secretary, vice

Lord Hillsborough.
Lord George Sackville Germain, afterwards Viscount
Sackville, Colonial Secretary, vice Lord Dartmouth.
Thomas, Viscount Weymouth, vice Lord Rochford.
David, Viscount Stormont, vice Lord Sufl'olk.
S *1779 November 24 (Patent, Jan. 19, 1780). Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, vice Lord Weymouth.
C*1782 February 11 (Patent, March S). Rt. Hon. Welbore Ellis, Colonial Secretary, vice Lord

George Germain.
[This office was nbolislied by act of Parliament, this year.]

N*176.5 July 12 (Patent, July IS).
S&N* 176-5 July 12 (Patent, July 19).
S *17GG May 23 (Patent, June 3).

S *1766 August 2 (Patent, August 18).
N*17e8 January 20 (Patent, February 5).
0*1768 January 20 (Patent, February 27).
S *176S October 21 (Patent, November 11).
N*1770 December 19 (Patent, Jan. 7, 1772).
N*1771 January 22 (Patent, Feb. 11, 1772).
N*1771 June 12 (Patent, July 27, 1772).
C*1772 August 14 (Patent, August 27).

C*1775 November 10 (Patent, Jan. 2.5, 1776).

S *1775 November 10 (Patent, Nov. 21, 1776),
N*1779 October 27 (Patent, November 30).

F*1782 March 27 (Patent, April 13).
H*1782 March 27 (Patent, April 15).
F*1782 July 13 (Patent, October 5).

H*1782 July 17 (Patent, November 1).
F*1783 April 2 (Patent, April 19).
H*1783 April 2 (Patent, April IS).

Charles James Fox, vice Lord Hillsborough [Foreign].
William, Earl of Shelburne, vice Lord Stormont [Home].
Rt. Hon. Thomas Townshend, afterwards Viscount

Sidney, vice Fox [Foreign].
Thomas, Lord Grantham, vice Lord Shelburne [Home].
Charles James Fox, vice Townshend [Foreign].
Frederick, Lord North, vice Lord Grantham [Home].

UNDER-SECRETARIES OF STATE: 1G80-1783.

1680 14 April.
1680 26 April.
1682 28 January.

John Cooke.

Francis Gwynn.

William Bridgeman, vice Gwynn.

SOUTirEBN DEPAKTMENT.

1689 Richard Warr.
Isham.

1699

Robert Yard.
Matthew Prior.
( Continued.)

NOETHEEN DEPARTMENT.

1692 William Bridgeman.

James Vernon.
1697 Thomas Hojikins, vice Vernon

John Ellis.

1700 John Tucker.
John Ellis.

INTRODUCTION.

SOUTHEPvN DEPAETMENT.

1702 Richard Warn

■William Aglionby.
1704 John IshaiB, vice Aglionby.

1707

1710

1714

1717

171S

1724

John Tucker.
Joseph Addison.
Thomas Hopkins.
Robert Pringle.
Robert Pringle.
Charles Stanhope.
Temple Stranian.
Thomas Tickell.

Corbiere.
Charles de la Faye.
Charles de la Faye.
Temple Stranian.
(Continued.)

1735 John Courand, vice Stranian.

1736 Andrew Stone, vice de la Faye.

(Continued.)

1743 Thomas Ramsden, vice Courand.
(Continued.)

(Continued.)

1748 Richard Nevill Aldvyorth.
John Potter.
Hon. R. L. Gower, vice Potter.

( Continued.)

1751 Claudius Amyand.
Richard Pottinger.

1754 Claudius Amyand.
James Rivers.

1755 Claudius Amyand.
Henry Uigby.
James Rivers.

1756 Robert Wood.
James Rivers.

(Continued.)

NOETHERN DEPAETMENT.
( Continued.)

1704 Richard Warr.
Erasmus Lewis.
(Continued.)

1710 George Tilson.

Horatio Walpole.

(Continued.)

1717 George Tilson.

Charles de la Faye.
(Continued.)

1724 George Tilson.

Thomas Townshend.
1730 George Tilson.

Edward Weston.

(Continued.)

1740 Thomas Stanhope, vice Tilson.
1742 Edward Weston.

Balaguier.

1745

1746

1748

Edward Weston.

Chetwynd.

Chetwynd.

John Potter.
Andrew Stone.
Thomas Ramsden.

1750 Claudius Amyand.

Hugh V. Jones, vice Ramsden.

1751 James Wallace, vice Amyand.
Andrew Stone.

1754 Richard Pottinger.
James Wallis.

(Continued.)

1760 Michael Peter Morin.
William Frazer.

1761 Rt. Hon. Edward Weston.
Charles Jenkinson.

INTRODUCTION.

1762 Edward Sedgwick.
Lovel Stanhope.

(Continued.)

176.5 William Buike.

Michael Peter Moriii.
John Charles Robeits.
( Continued.)

1768 Robert Wood.
William Fraser.

1769 R. Sutton.
Stanier Purten.

(Continued.)

1773 Francis Willis, vice Sutton.

Sir Stanier Porten.
1775 Sir Anthony Chanier, vice Willis.

Sir Stanier Porten.
1779 Robert Bell, vice Chanier, deceased.

1762 Rt. Hon. Edward Weston.
Edward Sedgwick, and
Lovel Stanhope, vice Weston.

1763 Richard Phelps.
James Rivers.

1765 Richard Stonehaven.
William Frazer.

1766 William Burke.
William Frazer.

1768 David Hume, vice Burke.
Robert Wood.
William Fraser.

1770 Richard Phelps.
William Fraser.

1771 Edward Sedgwick.
Lovel Stanhope.

1771 William Eden.
William Fraser.

1772 Thomas Wliatley.
William Fraser.

1773 William Eden, vice Whatley.

( Contimtcd.)

1779 Benjamin L'Anglois.
William Fraser.

HOME DEPARTMENT.

1782 Thomas Ofde.
Evan Nepean.

1782 Evan Nepean.
Henry Strachey.

1783 Hon. G. North.
Evan Nepean.

FOREIGN DEPARTJIENT.

178S R. B. Sheridan.
William Fraser.

1782 \Villiam Fraser.
George Maddison.

1783 Andrew St. John.
William Fraser.

COLONIAL DEPARTMENT.

1768 Richard Philips.

John Pownall.
1772 John Pownrdl.

William Knox, vice Philips.

1776 Christian D'Oyly, vice Pownall.
1778 Thomas de Grey, junior, vice D'Oyly.
1780 Benjamin Thompson, vice de Grey.

Note. — William Knox coutinueil undisturbed from 1772 to 1782, when the Department was abolished.

INTRODUCTION.

THE BOARD OP TRADE AND PLAXTATIONS.

As the supervision and management of the British Colonies in America was origiaally entrusted to
several Lords of the Privy Council who were constituted, by Royal Commission, " A Committee for
Trade and Plantations," and subsequently, and until a late period, to a Board of " Commissioners for Trade
and Plantations," it is presumed that the following account (which is believed to be more full and
accurate than any hitherto prepared) may not be without value to the American historian.

KING CHARLES II.

16G0 .Tui.Y 4. By an order in Council dated this day.

The Lord Chamberlain, Mr. Denzell Holles,
Earl of Southampton, Secretary Nicholas,

Earl of Leicester, Secretary Morrice,

Lord Viscount Say and Seale, Arthur Annesley, and

Lord Roberts, Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper,

or any three or more of them, were appointed to meet and sit as a committee, to receive, hear, examine,
and deliberate upon any petitions, memorials, or other papers presented by any persons, respecting the
Plantations in America, and to report their proceedings to the Council, from time to time.

Council of Trade.
1660 November 7. By patent, bearing date this day, a Standing "Councell of Trade was established
to take into their consideration the Trade and Navigation of this Kingdome, and what manner and by
what ways and means the same may be encouraged," &c.

Council for Foreign Plantations.
1660 December 1. By Royal Commission, bearing date this day,

Edward, Lord Hyde, the Lord Chancellor, Earl of Lincoln,

Thomas, Earl of Southampton, the Treasurer, Earl of Clare,

Edward, Earl of Manchester, Earl of Marlborough,

and forty-two other noblemen and gentlemen, were appointed a Standing Council, any five of thein having
full power and authority to take into consideration and conduct the present and future state of the
"Foreign Plantations" of England, with instructions (dated same day) to correspond with the several
Governors, &c.; to take measures to bring the several Colonies, &c., into a more certain form of
Government; and to propagate the Gospel among them; and in general to dispose of all matters relating
to the good government and improvement of the Foreign Plantations, &c.^

1670 July 30. By Royal Commission dated this day,

Edward, Earl of Sandwich, Sir Humphrey Wl\ch,

Richard, Lord Gorges, Sir John Finch,
William, Lord Allington, Edmund Waller,

Thomas Grey, Henry SLiNGsay and

Henry Bouncker, Silas Titus,

were appointed a Council for Foreign Plantations (the Earl of Sandwich at a salary of ^£700, and the
others of ^£500, per annum) ; the Chancellor and other officers of state were to attend the said Council,
and give such opinion and advice therein as they shall think fit.

' The Council organized itself at the 8tai- Chamber, 10th December, 1660, and appointed Mr. Philip Frowde their
Secretary. —J K. B.

xiv INTRODUCTION.

1G71 MAnrii 20. 26tli May. By Royal Commission JateJ this clay,

Tlie Duke of York, James, Duke of Ormontle,

Prince Rupert, John, Earl of Lauderdaill, and

Geokge, Duke of Buckingham, Tuomas, Lord Culpepper,

were named additional members of the above mentioned Coimcil, with the same jjowers as those granted
to the Lord Keeper in tlie last commission ; also, John Evelyn an additional member, with the same
powers, as the Earl of Sandwich, &:c., and a salary of X500 per annum.

1672 September 27. By Royal Commission dated this day, the King constituted Anthony, Earl
of Shaftesbury, and others, to be a Council for all the affairs which concern Trade, and Foreign
Plantations, &c.

1674 December 21. By Royal Commission dated this day, the King revoked the above commission
of 2Sth September, 1672, and dissolved the Council of Trade and Plantations, therein constituted ;
and also directed Benjamin Worsley, Esq., the Secretary of the late Council, to deliver their books and
papers to the Clerk of the Privy Council, &c.

1675 March 12. By order in Council of this date, whatever matters relating to Trade and
Plantations, that had been under the cognizance of the late Council of Trade and Foreign Plantations,
were referred to a committee of the Privy Council, consisting of

The Lord Treasurer, The Duke of Lauderdaill,

Lord Privy Seal, Duke of Ormonde,

and 17 others ; and directing them to meet once a week, and report to the King in Council from time to
time their proceedings. And also that Sir Robert Southwell do constantly attend this committee.'

KING JAMES II.

The affairs of the Plantations continued to be managed by a similar committee in this reign, and the
province of New York, having devolved to the crown, 6 February 1G85, was placed under the supervision
of the committee for Plantation aflairs.

KING WILLIAM III.

1689 February 16. By order in Council of this date, the King appointed

The Lord President, The Viscount Fauconberg,
Lord Privy Sea], V'iscount Mordant,

Lord Steward, Lord Bishop of London,

Earl of Shrewsbury, Sir Henry Copel,

Earl of Bath, Mr. Powle and

Earl of Nottingham, Rlr. Russell,

or any tlireo of them, to be a Committee of the Privy Council for Trade and Foreign Plantations, kc.

FcnnaiicnI. Eslahlhlimoit of the Board of Trnilc.

The aflairs of the Planlalions continued unilrr the management of a committee, similar to tlic last
mentioned, until,

' Chalmers, in his Political Annals, says that John Locke was tlie first Seci-etary of this committee. — J. R. B.

INTRODUCTION. XV

1696 May 15. By Royal Commission under the Privy Seal, dated this day,
The Keeper of the Great Seal, or The Lord Rrivy Seal,

Chancellor, L'-i'^^ Treasurer,

Lord President, . Lord High Admiral,

the principal Secretaries of State, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the time being, and also,
John, Earl of Bridgewater, John Pollexfen,

Ford, Earl of Tankerville, John Locke,

Sir Phillip Meadows, ' Abraham Hill, and,

William Blathwayte, John Metuuen,

or any three or more of them, were appointed Commissioners during the Royal Pleasure, for promoting
the trade of the Kingdom and for inspecting and improving the Plantations in America and elsewhere.

This Board was required and empowered to examine into the general condition of the trade of
England and of Foreign parts, &c., and to make representations to the King thereupon ; to take into
the°r custody all records and papers belonging to the Plantation office ; to inquire into the condition of
the Plantations ; to examine into the instructions of the Governors, &c., and represent their conduct to
the King r to present the names of persons proper for Governors and Secretaries, &c., in the Colonies,
to the King in Council ; to examine into and consider the acts passed in the Colonies ; to hear complaints
and make representations thereupon, &c., and with power to send for persons and papers, &c.'

1697 July 6. Commission of 15th May revoked and same Board reappointed, except George

Stepney, vice Methuen.

1699 June 9. Same Board, except Thomas, Earl of Stamford, vice Bridgewater ; and Robert,

Lord Lexington, vice Tankerville.

1700 June 11. Same Board, except Mathew Prior, vice

1702 January 8. Same Board, except Robert Cecil, vice

QUEEN ANNE.
1702 March 8. Late Board continued by Proclamation on the accession of Queen Anne.

1705. A new Board, consisting of

Thomas, Earl of Stamford, William Blathwayt,

Thomas, Viscount Weymouth, John Pollexfen,

William, Lord Dartmouth, George Stepney,

Sir Philip Meadows, Mathew Prior,
Robert Cecil.

1706. A new Board, consisting of

Thomas, Earl of Stamford, , Sir Philip Meadows,

William, Lord Dartmouth, ' George Stepney,

Henry, Lord Herbert, John Pulteney,
Robert MoNciiToN.

' The great officers of State, for the time being, mentioned above, continued members of the Board, till it3 final
dissolution in 1782. Eoyal commissions were issued from time to time of the same tenor as the one of 15th May, 1696, only
substituting new members in place of old. — J. B. B.

XVI

INTRODUCTION.

1707. A new Boanl, consisting of

Thomas, Earl of StamforJ, Rodert Monckton,

William, Lortl Darlniouili, .John Pulteney,

Henrv, Lord Herbert, of Ciierbury, .Sir Charles Turner,
John Loukl.

1710. A new Board, consisting of

Thomas, Eail of Stamford, ■ John Pulteney,

William, Lord Dartmontli, Robert Monckton-,

Sir Philip Meadows, Sir Charles Turner,

Georui; Baillie.

1710 October 4. Same Board, with the addition of Arthur JNIoore.

1711 June 12. Charles, Earl of Winchelseu, Francis Gwynn, and the rest of the foinier board.

1713 September 15.

Francis, Lord Guilford, Sir John Hinde Cotton,

Sir Philip Meadows, John Sharpe,

Robert Monckton, Samuel Pitts,

Arthur Moore, Thomas Vernon.

1714. Same Board, with the addition of Archibald Hutchinson.

KING GEORGE I.

1714 September. A new Board, consisting of

William, Lord Berkeley, of Stratton, Archibald Hutchinson,

Sir Jacob Astley, John Chetwynd,

Robert Molesworth, Charles Cooke,

•Tohn Cockburn, Paul Dominique.

1715. Henry, Earl of Suffolk, vice Lord Berkely, and the rest of the last Board,

1715. Rt. Hon. Joseph Addison, vice Hutchinson; John Molesworth, vice Robert

Molesworth.

1717 July 13. Same Board, e.xcept Thomas Peliiam, vice Astley; Daniel Pulteney, vice

Cockburn ; Martin Bladen, vice Addison.

1718 January 31. Same Board except Robert, Earl of Holdernesse, vice Lord Suflblk.

1719 May 11. Thomas, Earl of Westmoreland, vice Lord Holdernesse : rest of the Board same

as the last.

1720 June 24.

Thomas, Earl of Westmoreland, Thomas Pelham,

.John Chetwynd, Daniel Pulteney,

Sir Charles Cooke, Marti.n Bladen,

Paul Dominique, Edward Ashe, vice Molesworth.

1721 September 4. .Same Board, with the addition of Ricuaud Plumer.
1721 October 4. Sir John Hobart, vice Cooke.

INTRODUCTION. xvu

KING GEORGE II.

1727 August 8. Same Board, except Sir Orlando Bridgeman, vice Plumer; and Walter

Carey, vice Hobart.

1728 June 1. Same Board, except Sir Thomas Frankland, vice Chetwynd.

1730 May 13. Same Board, except Hon. James Brudenell, vice Frankland ; and Sir Archer

Croft, vice Carey.

1735. Benjamin Mildmay, Lord Fitzwalter, Edward Ashe, •

vice Lord Westmoreland, Sir Orlando Bridgeman,

Thomas Pelham, ' Hon. James Brudenell,

Martin Bladen, Sir Archer Croft,

Richard Plumer, vice Dominique.

1737 June. Same Board, except John, Lord Mason, vice Lord Fitzwalter.

1742 February. Same Board, except Hon. Robert Herbert, vice Pelham ; Sir Charles Gilmouk,

vice Bridgeman; and Benjamin Keene, vice Croft.

1744 December 25. Same Board, except Sir John Phillips, vice Gilmour; John Pitt, vice Keene.

1745 May 7. Same Board, except Hon. Baptist L. Gower, vice Phillips.

1746 February. Same Board, except Hon. James Grenville, vice Bl_aden.

1746 November. Same Board, except Thomas, Viscount Dupplin, vice Brudenell ; Francis Fane,
vice Gower.

1748 November 1. - ~

George Dunk, Earl of Halifax, John Pitt,

vice Lord Monson, Hon. James Grenville,

Richard Plumer, Viscount Dupplin,

Hon. Robert Herbert, Francis Fane, and

Sir Thomas Robinson, vice Ashe.

1749 November. Hon. Charles Townshend, vice Plumer ; Andrew Stone, vice Sir T. Robinson.
1751 December James Oswald, vice Herbert.

1754 April 6. Hon. Richard Edgecumbe, vice Dupplin ; Thomas Pelham, vice Townshend.

1755 December 23. Hon. John Talbot, vice Pitt ; Soame Jenyns, vice Grenville ; Richard

Rigby, vice Edgecumbe.

1756 April 24. William G. Hamilton, vice Fane.

1756 December U. William Sloper, vice Talbot. , ' ■ ■ .

1759 December 24. Edward Bacon, vice Oswald.

1760 January. Edward Elliott, vice Rigby.

Vol. IU. c

INTRODUCTION.

KING GEORGE III.

1761 March 21.

Samuel, Loril Saiulys, vice Lord Halifax, Edward Bacon,

Andrew Stone, Hon. John Yorke, vice Pelham,

SoAME Jenyns, Sir Edward Thomas, vice Hamilton.

Edward Elliott, George Rice, vice Sloper.

1761 October 23. John Roberts, vice Stone.

1762 December 28. Francis, Lord Orwell, vice Roberts.

1763 March 1. Hon. Charles Townshend, vice Lord Sandys.

1763 April 20. William, Earl of Shelburiio, vice Townshend; Jeremiah Dvson, vice Yorke;

Bamber Gascoyne, vice Thomas.

1763 September 9.

Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, vice Lord Shelburne, George Rice,
Soame Jenyns, Francis, Lord Orwell,

Edward Elliott, Jeremiah Dyson,

Edward Bacon, Bamber Gascoyne.

1765 July 20. William, Earl of Dartmouth, vice Lord Hillsborough; Hon. John Yorke,

vice Lord Orwell; John Roberts, vice Gascoyne; William Fitzherbert,
vice Bacon.

1765 December. Henry, Viscount Palmerston, vice Yorke.

1766 August 16. Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, vice Lord Dartmouth.

1766 October 11. Hon. Thomas Robinson, vice Lord Palmerston.

1766 December. Robert Nugent, vice Lord Hillsborough.i

1768 January 20.

Wills, Earl of Hillsborough, John Roberts,

Soame Jenyns, William Fitzherbert,

Edward Elliott, Hon. Thomas Robinson,

George Rice, Wilmot, Viscount Lisburne.

1770 April 12. George, Lord Grcville, vice Robinson.
April 16. William Northey, vice Lord Lisburne.
May 16. Bamber Gascoyne, vice Rice.

1771 January 16. Thomas Wiiately, vice Northey.

1772 February 11. William Joliffe, vice Fitzherbert.

1772 August 27. William, Earl of Dartmouth, vice Lord Hillsborough ; Lord Robert Spencer,
vice Roberts ; Lord Garlies, Earl of Galloway, vice Whately.

' On '.iOtb January 1768, Lord Hillsborouuh was appointed Secretary of State for tbe Colonies. —J. R. B.

INTRODUCTION. xix

1774 January 25.

William, Earl of Dartmouth, William Jolliffe,

SoAME Jenyns, Lord Robert Spencer,

Edward Elliott, Lord Elliott, Hon. Charles Greville, vice Lord Grcville,

Bamber Gascoyne, Whitehead Keene, vice Lord Galloway.

1775 November 10. Lord George Sackville Germain, vice Lord Dartmoutli.

1776 March 9. AVilliam Eden, vice Elliott.

1777 June 5. Thomas De Grey, vice Keene.

1779 July 6. Andrew Stuart, vice Gascoyne ; Edward Gibbon, vice JollifFe.

1779 November 6. Frederick, Earl of Carlisle, vice Lord George Germain.

1780 September 6.

Frederick, Earl of Carlisle, Andrew Stuart,

Lord Robert Spencer, Edward Gibbon,

William Eden, Hans Sloane, vice Jenyns,

Hon. Thomas DEGREy,novir Lord Walsinghara, Benjamin L'Anglois, vice Grcville.

1780 December 9. Thomas, Lord Grantham, vice Lord Carlisle.

1781. The same Board, except William Eden; Sir Adam Ferguson, vice Lord

Walsingham ; Anthony Storer, vice L'Anglois.

1781 December 22.

\

Thomas, Lord Grantham, Hans Sloane,

Rt. Hon. William Eden, Sir Adam Ferguson,

Andrew Stuart, Anthony Storer,

Edward Gibbon, JounChetwynd Talbot, vice LordR. Spencer.

The office of Trade and Plantations was suppressed by Act of Parliament, in July, 1782, and the
business transferred to the Secretaries of State.

THE STATE PAPER OFFICE.

For a long time, there was no certain depository for the official papers of the Secretaries of State. Each
Secretary had them in his own custody, and their future destination depended, in a great measure, upon
accident. Even in the office of the Privy Council (the office in which, until the time of the Revolution,
all the affairs of the Realm were debated and decided upon), no written record of the proceedings was
preserved until 1540, when it was ordered that a Register should be kept, which commences on the ISth
of August of that year.

The necessity of a repository for state papers was then felt ; and in 1578, an office for keeping papers
and records concerning matters of state and council was established. Before this time, numerous papers
of great importance, were entirely lost; and others fell into the possession of private persons. Sir
Robert Cotton, in the reign of James I., and Sir Joseph Williamson, in the reign of Charles II.,
were most assiduous and successful collectors of these papers. The collections of the former now form

XX INTRODUCTION.

a portion of the library of the British Museum. Sir .Tosepii Williamson placed his collections in the
State Paper Office, where they still remain.

In the reign of James I. considerable attention appears to have been paid to this office, and the papers
which had hitherto been kept in chests, were reduced into the fonii of a library ; and the King assigned
certain apartments in his palace at Whitehall for their reception. The events of the succeeding reign,
however, were adverse to the preservation of the public archives. Secretary Windebank's papers, as
well as those of Sir Edward Nicholas, were seized by the " Rebels " and dispersed. Some of them
made their way back to the State Paper Office, but probably in an imperfect condition. Many of the
state papers were designedly burnt by Secretary Nicholas, at the surrender at Oxford, to prevent them
falling into the hands of the Parliamentarians. Besides this destruction, and much more which must
have occurred during the civil war, the office is said to have suffered spoliation from papers having been
taken from it, particularly by Bradshaw, Secretary Thurloe, Milton, and others. Much pains,
however, were taken, after the Restoration, to recover the missing documents; and a large portion was
secured, and is now lodged in the office.

Since the time of Queen Anne, there have been several removals of the office from place to place ;
which must undoubtedly, have led to loss and injury of the papers. In 1830, however, a new fire-proof
building, admirably adapted to its purposes, was erected in St. James' Park, and to this the papers were
soon afterwards removed.

The custody and arrangement of the state papers are entrusted to a keeper, who has under him a
deputy keeper, and other subordinates. This office being strictly a government one and in fact forming
part of the Queen's Private Library, is not considered as upon the same footing as the manuscript
department of the British Museum, or other institutions of a like character. No person is allowed access
to the State Paper Office, unless he first obtains a formal order from one of the Secretaries of State, who
alone has the right of granting the priviledge. This order usually specifies the particular books or series
of papers to which the visitor is to have access ; and the directions of the order are strictly and
scrupulously followed by the keeper.

The office is open to persons having the requisite permission, every day of the week, except holidays,
from 11 to 3 o'clock. It is a standing general regulation that the volumes or papers consulted, are to be
examined in the presence of one of the officers, who is constantly in attendance for the purpose.

In addition to the papers from the offices of Secretaries of State (among which is to be found a very
voluminous correspondence with the govei-nors and military commanders in the American colonies), the
State Paper Office received a very large accession in the month of March, 1842; when the whole of the
records of the Board of Trade down to its dissolution in 1782, were transferred to it by order of the
British Government. Upwards of two thousand large folio volumes, relating chiefly to the American
Colonies, were thus added, in one mass, to this invaluable repository of historical wealth.

London, September, 1843.

John Romeyn Brodhe.a^d.

CONTENTS.

Pag&
Janfary 2. Letter of the Privy Council to Sir Thomas Smith, respecting complaints made by the ^--h ambassador ^

against Captain ArgaU, &q ,' ' " '3 " ' m 1

January 23. Extract of the reply of the Privy CouncU to the complaint of the French ambassador. They have
received no information from the A'irginia Company about Capt. Argall s affair, &c

Martr 3. Petition of the Adventurers for settling the northern part of Virginia; terms of the ^'^^'^^^^^^^^^ ^

July 23. mrmnrofthrPH^CounduVsbThomas'coVentr^^^ SoUcitor-Generli, to prepare the patent for ^

Xew-England, Ac.,

,nT' 18. Order in CouneU respecting the mutual right of fishing, &c., within the two Colonies, &e . ^. 4

September 28. Order in Council to the mayors of Bristol, &c.. to prevent private PerBons. &c.,^ tradmg to >ew^ ^

December 15. Ord!rt CouSl to Si^D'udi^y'carieto;," 'ambas^ad^; 'aVthV Hague, respecting the Dutch in the north ^

December 15. LetiInrePrt^'coJ:dVt;'s;;DJcuVyCa;ieV^ ^

Virginia, &c.

February ^ Letter of Sir Dudley Carleton to the CouncU, in reply. He has bad an audience with the States-General, ^

*' on the subject of Xew-^'etherland, &c ' '.," 'l!'' J'-'l "■

January_^. Copy of Sir Dudley Carleton's memorial to the States-General, on the subject of the Dutch intrusion ^

.e^rua.. . ^^^^^^1:^2::^ ^^^i^^^o;^ ^:^ ^^^'^^^ :

March -/, ™«;;^f;;;:^^„j^„,J,,,,,,He Dutch in Virginia. The matter is before the Provincial ^^

States of Holland ■ ' ' ■■■'"," "1" ,' 11

October 23. Order in Coimcil for a proclamation against irregular traders to ^ew-England, Ac

JaZy 28. Letter of the Council, to Sir John Elyot, Ac, to arrest a Dutch ship from Amsterdam at Plymouth. ^^^
bound to Kew-Netherland, Ac

1621. .. .„ ^.,^_,,.,,. n „„„ *. 12

September 5. Order in Council in favor of the ships of the Dutch West India Company, Ac,

from Governor Pott, of Virginia, to William Clayborne. to make discoveries, Ac, north of ^^

1629.
March 13. Commission I

Virginia,

March' 8. Commission from Governor Harvey, of Virginia, authorizing WiUiam Clayborne to go into the adjoining ^^

Dutch Plantations, Ac ','".'", •' 15

May 16. Patent from King Charles L, authorizing WiUiam Clayborne to trade in America,

Aprf' 2. Letter of Captain John Mason to Secretary Coke, relative to the Dutch in Xew-Nctherland 10

ApS 6. Letter of Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Captain John Mason-Dutch Plantation.

xxu

CONTENTS.

1633. ^■''^^

September 23. Letter of Gaulter of Twiller, Governor of the Dutch Plantation, to the Govei'nor of the English
October 4. Colony "t Massachusetts Bay, respecting the differences about the Dutch settlement on the

Connecticut River, IS

1G3.5.
March 20. Letter of the Council, to the Earl of Portlancl, to prevent English subjects going in a Dutch shi]i, lying

at the Cowes, to the IlolIanJcr's I'lantation on the Hudson's River, etc. Ill

1C."8.
May 8. Letter of Jerome Hawley, Treasurer of Virginia, to Mr. Secretary Windebanke — Arrival of a Dutch

ship from Sweden, for the purpose of making a Plantation at the Delaware Bay, &e., 20

ir.St).
June 12. Release i.f lands on Long Island, by James Farrctt, on behalf of the Earl of Sterling, to Edward

Unwell, .ic., 21

Anixust 20. The Earl of Sterling's confirmation of Farret's release of lands, &c., 22

IC.o D. A declaration, showing the illegality and unlawful proceedings of the Patent of Maryland, 23

106;!.
May 3. Articles of agreement and union between East Hampton and Connecticut, 27

ICOO.

July 4. Order in Council, appointing a Committee for Plantation affairs, itc 30

Novemb er 1. Patent of King Charles IL, constituting a standing Council of Trade, &c 30

Decembir 1. Patent of King Charles IL, constituting a standing Council for the care and conduct of Foreign

Plantations, Ac 32

December 1. Instructions for the Council appointed for Foreign Plantations, 34

December 10. Orders and proceedings at His Majesty's Coimoil for Foreign Plantations SO

1061.
February -J- An act of the States-General, permitting all oppressed Christian people in England or elsewhere, to
erect a Colonic in America, under the jurisdiction of Peter Stuyvesant, upon conditions offered by

the West India Company 37

February _i- Conditions and privileges granted by the West India Company to aU such people as shall be disposed

to take up their abode in New-Netherland 37

February _i- Summary advertisements concerning the above mentioned Company, 38

March 11. Narrative and deposition of Capt. Thomas Breedon, before the Council for Foreign Plantations, of the

state of the several Colonies of New-England, &c. 30

May 7. Letter of Governor Endicott of Massachusetts to Governor Stuyvesant of New-Nctherland, &c., asking

him to deliver up the regicides, Whalley and Goffe, <Sie. 41

May 81. Petition of the Earl of Sterling to the King, respecting the Dutch intrusion on Long Island, 42

1GC2. Reasons to prove that if the Dutch be admitted to trade to Virginia, it will be a great loss and

prejudice to the King, &o., 43

August 25. Minute of the Council for Foreign Plantations, respecting a secret trade between the Dutch and English

Plantations, etc., 44

]r.C3.
June 24. Minute of a letter of the Council to the several Plantations in America, about executing the navigation

act, &Q 45

July 6. Minute of the Council for Foreign Plantations respecting Capt. Scott's complaint against the Dutch

intruding into New-England, and settling on the Manhatoes, Long Island, &o., 40

L)ecember 7. Minute of the Council for Foreign Plantations, upon complaint of the Farmers of the Customs of an

illicit trade between the Dutch and English Plantations in America, <tc., 47

December 11. Letter of John Scott to Joseph Williamson, Esq., Under Secretary of State — the English on Long Island

enslaved by the Dutch, " their cruel and rapacious neighbors," 47

December Ifi. Minute of the Council for Foreign Plantations — Farmers of the Customs to draw n[i model of

instructions, itc, respecting illicit trade with the Dutch in America, itc 48

K'.iVl.
January 19. Minute of the Council for Foreign Plantations, upon the model of instructions, Ac, proposed by the

Farmers, Ac., 4U

Fein nary Ki. Minute of the Council for Foreign Plantations, with the model proposed, &e., 50

April 23. Instructions from King Charles II., to Colonel Richard KicoUs, Sir Robert Carre, George Cartwright,
Esq., and Samuel Maverick, Esq., commissioners appointed to visit Massachusetts, and to reduce the
Dutch in New-Netherland into subjection to the English, Ac., 51

CONTENTS.

XXQl

1664.

April

23.

April

23.

April

23.

April

25.

July

20.

July

21.

July

23.

[July.]

September

24.

October.

September

3.

October

1.

October

10.

October

13.

October

21.

November

7.

NoTcmber 14.

December

20.

1665.

January

16.

January

25.

January

28.

February

1.

February

4.

February

4.

February

7.

February

25.

March

1.

Marcli

5.

March

6.

April

19.

May

23.

May

24.

May

27.

July

12.

July

16.

July

26.

July

31.

Novembei

Page.

Instructions from King Charles II., to Nicolls, &c., commissioners to Connecticut, . . .- 56

Private instructions from King Charles II., to KicoUs, and the other Commissioners sent to America, to

be communicated only between themselves, 67

Letter of King Charles II., to the Governor and Council of Massachusetts 61

Commission from King Charles II., to Nicolls, and the other Commissioners, 64

Letter from Mr. Maverick to Captain Breedon, at Boston — arrival at Piscataqua, &q C5

Letter from Mr. Maverick to Hon. 'William Coventry — particulars of his voyage, &o 65

Letter of Messrs. Carr and Maverick, to Mr. RickbeU, to announce their arrival, Ac 60

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Governor and Co>4(jeil of Massachusetts — seizure of Dutch ships, itc 67

Articles made and agreed upon, in Fort Albany, between Ohgehando, and other Indians, and Col. George

Cartwright, on behalf of Col. Nicolls, Ac 67

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Secretary of State — Dutch on Delaware B.iy, 6S

Commission from Col. Nicolls, &c., to Sir Robert Carr, to reduce the Dutch on Delaware Bay, etc., 70

Articles of agreement between Sir Robert Carr, and the Dutch and Swedes on Delaware Bay 71

Sir Robert Carr's grant of lands on the Delaware, to Captains Hyde and Morley 72

Letter of Sir Robert Carr to CoL NicoUs — details of his proceedings in reducing the Dutch and Swedes

on the Delaware, <fec., "3

Alphabetical Catalogue of the names of such inhabitants of New-Toi-k, <fec., as took the oath to be

true subjects of His Majesty, October 21, 22, 23, 24 and 26, 1664 74

Letter of Mr. van Gogh, Dutch Ambassador at London, to the States-Gener.al — his audience with King

Cliarles II,, about the conquest of New-Netherland, Ac, 77

Letter of Ambassador v.an Gogh to the States-General — his second audience with the King about New-
Netherland— Embargo, &«., 80

Letter of William Jones to Col. NicoUs — wrongs that the colony at New-Haven ha.9 sufl'cred from the

Dutch, (fee, 82

Letter of Alexander d' Hinojossa, late Director on the Delaware, to Colonel Richard NicoUs 82

Letter of George Cartwright, Esq., to Sir Henry Bennet, Secretary of State — Dutch projects against New-
York, <Src 83

Letter of Col. Cartwright to Col. Nicolls — state of affairs in New-England — sentiments and conduct of

the people, &c., 84

Letter of King Charles II., to Col. Nicolls and the other Commissioners — precautions to be taken against

the Dutch, &c 85

Letter of the Governor and Council of Connecticut to Col. Nicolls, 86

Letter of Col. Cartwright to Col. NicoUs — sentiments of the people in the New-England Colonies —

Carr and Maverick concur in sentiment with him, <fec 87

Letter of Mr. Maverick to Col. Nicolls respecting his visit to Massachusetts 8S

Letter of Col. Cartwright to Sir Henry Bennet, Secretary of State — Proceedings of the Commissioners, 89

Mr. Secretary Morrice's answer to the petition of New-England, 90

Declaration of the Deputies from the towns on Long Island, to the Duke of York Ul

Letter of Lord Chancellor Clarendon to Mr. Maverick, 92

Letter of Mr. Maverick to Col. NicoUs — Rhode Island affairs, Ac, 93

Letter of Col. Cartwright to Col. NicoUs — Dutch projects — difficulties of the Commissioners— sentiments

of the people, Ac ■ 93

Declaration of the General Court of Massachusetts, 95

Reply of the Commissioners thereto 98

Letter of Messrs. Carr, Cartwright, and Maverick to Sir Henry Bennet, Secretary of State— proceedings

of the Commissioners 96

Prohibition of the CouncU of Massachusetts to the constable of Portsmouth 98

Letter of the Governor and Council of Massachusetts to the Commissioners, 98

Reply of the Commissioners thereto, Ac, 99

Letter of Messrs. Carr, Cartwright, and Maverick, to the Secretary of State— affairs in New-England, Ac, 101
Letter of Col. NieoUs to the Secretary of State (Lord Arlington, late Sir Henry Bennet),— affairs in

New- York, and in Delaware Bay — necessity of supplies, Ac, 103

Draft of a Letter from Col. NicoUs, to the Duke of York— present condition of things in New-York, Ac, 104
Fi-agment of a letter from Col. NicoUs to the Duke of York— Berkley and Carterett's patent— C.iptain

Scott — Albany and New-York named, Ac, Ac. 10'''

CONTENTS.

1665.

November.

November 20.

Deccmboi-

5.

1666.

April

9.

Api-il

10.

A].ril

IS.

June

22.

February.

July

6.

July

11.

1665.

December

13.

1666.

May

25.

July

12.

July

12.

July

12.

July

14.

July

14.

July

22.

July

28.

August

20.

August

20.

October

17.

October

24.

October

25.

October

26.

November

■ 6.

November

' _§_

1667.

January

7.

January

5.

January

7.

January

11.

January

11.

January

11.

April

30.

April

30.

April

30.

May

7.

May

20.

July

19.

July

24.

October

16.

Page.
Fragment of a letter from Col. Nicolls to the Duke of York — West India Company of Amsterdam —

New-England, Ac, 106

Letter of Messrs. Carr and Maverick, to the Secretary of State— afl'airs in New-England — doiugs of

the Commissioners, &c 106

Letter of Sir Robert Carr to the Secretary of State — grant of lands to him, <tc., 109

Rejiort of the Commissioners, concerning Massachusetts, <tc., 110

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Lord Ai'lington — conflicting patents on the Delaware — Dutch inhabitants —

pride of Massachusetts — want of supplies, <S^, 113

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Lord Arlington — grants to Carr and Stock, Ac., 116

Letter of Lord Chancellor Clarendon to Col. Nicolls — supplies for New- York — conduct of Massachu-
setts, <fcc 116

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Commissaries at Albany — instructions 117

A Relation of the march of the Governor of Canada, with 600 men, into the territories of His Royal

Highness, Ac 118

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Council of Massachusetts — French movements, &c 120

Letter of Samuel Willis, in behalf of the Colony of Connecticut, to Col. Nicolls — intrigues, Ac, of the

French — Mohawks, Ac, 120

Articles of peace, and treaty, between M. Tracy, Governor of Canada, and the Iroquois, Ac, 121

Ratification of the same by the Senecas, 125

Ratification of the same by the Oneidas and Mohawks, 126

Letter of M. de Courcellcs, Governor of Canada, to Surgeon D'Hinse, Albany 127

Letter of M. Madey to M. D'Hinse, surgeon, in New- York, 1 28

Letter of M. Tracy to the Commissaries at Albany, 129

Letter of G. Fruioue to M. D'Hinse, at Albany, 130

Letter of M. Tracy to the Commissaries at Albany, 131

Letter of M. Hertel, to M. D'Hinse, at Albany 132

Letter of Col. Nicolls to M. Tracy — M. de Courcelles' invasion of New-York, in February last, Ac 133

Letter of the Commissaries at Albany to M. de Tracy 134

French act of possession, Ac, of Forts, Ac, among the Iroquois, Ac, 136

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Mr. Secretary Morrice — Captain Scott — conduct of Massachusetts Colony —

embargo proposed, its eft'ects, Ac, 136

Letter of Governor Winthrop to Lord Arlington — measures against the French, Ac, 137

Letter from Mr. Samuel Nadhorth [qu. Hathorue ?] to Mr. Secretary Morrice — Massachusetts affairs —

conduct of the Commissioners, Ac 138

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Commissaries at Albany — instructions, Ac, 143

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Mr. Rensselaer — advises him not to grasp at too much, Ac. 143

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Commissaries at Albany 144

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Schout Swart at Albany 146

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Mr. Van Curler — precautions against the French, 145

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Commissaries at Albany — French affairs, 146

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Mr. Van Curler — French affairs 147

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Captain Baker — French affaii-s, Ac, 148

Private instructions from Col. Nicolls to Messrs. Needham, Delavall, ami Van Ruyven, Commissioners

to go to Esopus to examine into the cases of Fisher and Brodhead, Ac 149

Letter of M. Tracy to the Commissaries at Albany, 1 50

Letter of M. Tracy to IVL Van Curler — invites him to come to Canada, Ac, 151

Letter of M. Tracy to Col. Nicolls — explaining M. de Courcelles' march, Ac. 162

Letter of Governor Winthrop to Lord Ai-lington — state of the Colonies, Ac , 154

Letter of Col. Nicolls to M. Tracy — in answer to his of 30th April, 166

Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Justices, Ac, on Long Island — militia arrangements, 157

Letter of Col. Nicolls to Governor Winthrop — factions, Ac, in New-England, Ac, 168

Letter of Mr. Maverick to the Secretary of State— wants of the Colonies, Ac, 160

CONTENTS.

Pack.
1667. , . . ^. . . .

October 16. Lettci- of Mi-. Mavei-iek to Col. Cartwrjglit— gouei-al intelligciico— great hurricane m Vu-gima, m

August, iSrc,

October 20. Letter of Col. Nicolls to Rev. Father Pierron, mis.siouary to the Mohawks, 162

October. Proposals to his Koyal Highness, the Duke of York, by Peter Stuyvesant, late Governor of New-

Netherland, Ac.,— liberty of trade, <S:c ^''^

October. Petition of Peter Stuyvesant to the King and Lords of the Privy Council, for free trade, Ac., 161

October 17. Report of the Committee of Council, upon Stuyvesaut's petition, &o - • ■ ■ 165

October 23. Order in CouncU upon the petition of P. Stuyvesant, Ac— permission given to the Dutch to trade to

New-York for seven years, with three ships yearly, &c., 166

November 12. Letter of Col. Nicolls to Lord Ai-lington— mUitary arrangements in the Colonies, &Q 167

November 22. Declaration of WUliam Weexe, about the Indians seizing a vessel, <tc., 168

1668.

January 3. Letter of Col. Nicolls to Mr. Mayhew, respecting the seizure of the above vessel, 169

June 12. Letter of Col. Nicolls to the Governor and assistants of Massachusetts— remarks on their conduct, 170

July 30. Letter of Col. Nicolls to the General Court at Boston— farewell letter, 172

August 25. Letter of Mr. Maverick to Lord Arlington- Massachusetts affairs— Berkley and Carterett's patent
prejudicial to New- York — Col. Nicolls about to return to England— his good character and

management in the government of New-York, Ac. 17"

August 28. Letter of Francis Lovelace, Governor of New-York, to Lord Arlington— he has arrived, and assumed

the government^ &c

November. Report of the Council of Ti-ade to the King, advising a modification of the order in Coimcil of October

23d, 1667, in favor of the Dutch trade to New-York, Ac _ 175

November IS. Order in Council upon the foregoing report, recalling the order of October 23d, Ac 177

December 11. Petition of Oliver Stuy^'csaut Van Cortlant and others to the King, to aUow their ship to go to New-
York, Ac ^''^

December 1 1. Order in Council upon the foregoing petition, allowing the ship to go to New- York, Ac 179

1669.

April 5. Order in Council, allowing two Scotch ships to go to New-York, Ac, 180

April 21. Petition of the Farmers of the Customs to the King, upon the foregoing order, praying His Majesty to

revoke the same, Ac,

April Reply to the petition of the Farmers of the Customs— the Duke of York's designs explained— New-York

settled with Dutch, Swedes, Ac— British subjects ought to be encouraged to emigrate, Ac 181

July 5. Letter of Mr. Maverick to Col. Nicolls— affairs in New-York since he left— whales in New- York

harbor— Nutt Island, by planting trees, made a pleasant place, Ac 182

October 15. Letter of Mr. Maverick to Col. NicoUs— private affairs and intelligence, 185

December 31. Letter of Matthias NicoUs to Col. Nicolls— proposed iusm-rection of the Finns on the Delaware

frustrated, Ac

Petition of the Mayor, Ac, of New-York, to the Duke of York, for free trade with Holland, Ac, 187

Answers to several Queries relating to the planters in the territories of His Royal Highness, the Duke

of York, in America, 1^^

1670.
June 28. Declaration of Governor Lovelace, upon the request of the Elders and Deacons of the Dutch church,

that if a minister shall come to them from Holland he shaU have a proper salary, Ac. 189

October 3. Letter of Governor Lovelace to Mr. Secretary Williamson— intrigues of the French among the

Iroquois, Ac. ■*

1671.
March 20. Warrant of King Charles II, to the Attorney-General, to prepare a patent for the enlarging, Ac, the

Council for Foreign Plantations, Ac, l^''

October 1. Journal and Relation of a new discovery made behind the Apulcian mountains, to the west of Virginia, 193

1672.
July 3. Order in Council, referring to the Council for Plantations, Ac, the petition of inhabitants of villages on

the east end of Long Island, to be continued under the government of Connecticut, Ac 197

1673.

July 31. Letter of Governor Lovelace to GrfVernor Winthrop— Dutch capture of New- York, 198

August 3. Letter of Edward Paknes to Governor Leverett— Dutch have taken New-York, Ac 199

August (5. llobert Hodge's account of the takiug of New-York by the Dutch, l''^^

August S. Intelligence from Now- York ; taken before Nathan Gold, ^^^

Vol. III. D

XXVI

CONTENTS.

14.

16V3.

August
August 8,
August 2,
September 1,

Sejitembei' 8.

September 20.

October

22.

Oetober

27.

October

29.

November 15.

Deeembei

2.

1674.

June

6.

July

1.

July

1.

July

1.

July

1.

July

2.

July.

2.

July

2.

July

2.

July

2.

July

2-3.

July

2.3.

July

23.

July

30.

August

August 6.
November 9.
December 21.

107 5.
February 1 3.
March 12.

April 6.

August 11.
September 15.

11576.
January 28.

January 28.

January 31.
August SI.

Page.

Proclamation of Evortsen and Binkes, the commanders of the Dutch forces, 202

Letter of Nathan Gold to Governor "Winthrop — news from New- York, &c 2U3

Letter of Thomas Ludwell, Secretary of Virginia, to Lord Arlington — Dutch fleet at Virginia, 204

Letter of John Leverett to Lord Aldington — surrender of New-York and Albany to the Dutch —

Lovelace arrested for debt, Ac, 205

Extract of a letter from Boston to Mr. Harwood — circumstances of Ihe cn])ture of New-York — fort fired

four guns, ifec, 205

Letter of "Wm. Dervell to R. Wooly — loss of estate by capture of New-York, &e., 206

A memorial concerning New- York and the adjacent English plantations, 207

Mr. Dyer's project for reducing New- York, <Sic 207

Letter of Sir John Knight to the Earl of Shaftesbury— proposals for reconquest of New-York 209

Report of the Coimeil of Trade, <fee., to the King, upon the suliject of retaking New-York, 211

Aflidavit of W. Hayes, concerning the taking of New- York by the Dutch, &v., 213

Warrant of the Duke of York to Sir Allen Apsley, his treasurer and receiver-general, to ]>ay £1,300 to

Major Andros, for the service of New-York, <fec., 214

Commission from the Duke of York to Major Edmund Andros, for the government of New-York 215

Instructions fi-om the Duke of York to Major Andros, for the government of New-York 216

Commission to Major Andros, as captain of a company of foot in New- York, <Sre., 219

An establishment of pay for the officers and soldiers in New-York, <tc., 220

Commission to Anthony Brockholes, to be first lieutenant of the company at New- York 220

Commission to Christopher Billop, to be a lieutenant of the company at New- York 221

Commission to Ca;sar Knapton, to be ensign of the company at New-York, 221

Commission to AVilliam Dyre, to be collector at New-York, 221

Instructions for "Wm. Dyre, collector at New- York, 222

Warrant to the Attorney-General, to prepare a grant of lands from tlie Duke of York, to Sir Gcoi'go

Carteret, 223

Petition of the proprietors of Rensolaerswyck to the Duke of York 224

Order referring said Petition to Governor Andros, 225

Letter of the Duke of York to Major Andi'os, recommending Nichalaus Van Renselaer, Ac, 225

The Duke of York's wan-ant to his Attorney-General, ite., to prepare a grant for the Earl of Sterling's

annuity, etc., 225

Warrant to Major Andros to seize the estate of Francis Lovelace, late Goreruor of New-York, for the

use of the Duke of York to whom he is indebted £7,000, 226

Warrant to Major Andros, to put the Duke's laws in execution, &c 226

Proclamation of Governor Andros, respecting rights of property, laws in force, <fee., 227

King Charles II.'s letters patent, revoking the commission of 27th September, 1672, for establishing a

standing Council of Ti-ade, Ac, and ordering their papers, &e., to be delivered up, 228

Letter of Sir John Werden, Secretary to the Duke of York, to Major Andros, 228

Order in Council, referring all matters lately under the charge of the Council of Trade, to a committee

of the Privy Council, Ac 229

Letter of the Duke of York, to Major Andros — General Assemblies — Coining money — boundaries —

customs, Ac. 230

Letter of the committee of Privy Council, to the Colonies, Ac., in America, 231

Letter of Sir John Werden to Major Andros — his proceedings commended — Indian aft'airs— trade, Ac., 232

Letter of the Duke of York to Major Andros — Connecticut boumlary — the uselessness of Assemblies —

revenue, Ac, 235

Letter of Sir John Werden to Major Andi'os— navigation act — Conncetieut — conijilaints of the Dutch

in New- York — the Duke's instructions, Ac, 236

Letter of Sir John Werden to Major Andi'os — vessels ti-ading to Albany, Ac, 2S8

Letter of Sir John Werden to Major Andros — Indian affairs — Dutch — revenue — Delaware — New-
Jersey, Ac, 238

Extracts from the report of Edmund Rand.dpli, (o tlie tlouneil of Traihs Ac, respecting the New-
England colonies, &c., 240

CONTENTS. xxvii

167G. Pack.

November 30. Letter of Sir John Verden to Major Andros 245

November 30. Extract of letter from Sir John Werdeu to Mr. Dyre, 2-45

1077.
May 7. Letter of the Duke of York to Major AnJros — rates of duties eoutiuucd — permission to return to

England for a time, &c., 2 16

May 7. Letter of Sir John Werden to Major Andros — custom accounts — boundary with Connecticut — Dela-
ware, Ac 246

June 13. Governor Andros' instructions to Brockholes, Knapton, and NichoUs, sent to Pemaquid, Ac., 21S

July 14. Observations of Wentworth Greenhalgh, in a journey from Albany to the Indians westward, begun

May 27th, 1677, and ended July 14, following 2.50

July 17. Memorial of the Bishop of London, about the abuses in the churches in the Plantations, 253

November. A short accoxint of the general concerns of New- York, from October, 1674, to November, 1677, by

Governor Andros 254

1678.

April 8. Minute of Sir Edmund Andros' attendance before the committee of Privy Council, &c 257

April 9. Petition of Sir E. Andros to the King, for an enquiry into the truth of the complaints of Massachusetts, &c., 25S

April 9. Order in Council upon Sir E. Andros' petition, that the Massachusetts agents answer it, &e., 259

April 16. Answers of Sir E. Andros to the enquiries of the committee of Privy Council respecting New-
York, &e., 200

April 16. Answers of Sir E. Andros to the enquiries of the committee respecting New-England, ite 262

April IS. A short account of New-York's assistance to New-England — presented by Sir E. Andros, 264

April 24. Answer of William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley, agents of Massachusetts, to the petition of Sir E.

Andros .^ 206

April 24. Order in council upon the foregoing answer of the Massachusetts agents 267

May 18. The Duke of York's warrant to Sir AUeu Apsley, his treasurer, to pay £1,100 to Sir E. Andros, who is

about to return to New-York 267

May 18. The Duke of York's instructions to Sir E. Andros, to increase the duties on rum, <te., 268

May 20. The Duke of York's warrant to Sir E. Andros, to appoint a Judge of Admiralty, &q., 268

June 4. Report of council to the Duke of York, in favor of a grant of Rensselaerswyek, <Src 269

June 7. Warrant of the Duke of York to Sii' E. Andros, to pass a patent for Rensselaerswyek, &c., 269

August. Sir Robert Southwell's memorandum of Captain Breedon's statements about New-England, 270

September 16. Letter of Sir K Andros to Mr. Blathwayte — his arrival on the 7 th — affaii-s in New- York, Maryland, Ac., 271

October 12. Letter of Sir E. Andros to Mr. Blathwayte — French and Indian troubles,_ifec., 272

September 6. Letter of the commissioners of the United Colonies to Sir E. Andros, 273

September 10. Answer of Sir E. Andros to the commissioners, 274

September 14. Reply of the commissioners to Sir E. Andros 274

September 18. Governor Leet to Sir E. Andros 275

September 26. Letter of Sir E. Andros to the commissioners, 275

September 28. Letter of Sir E. Andros to Governor Leet, 276

1679.

March 1 0. Letter of Sir John Werden to Sir E Andros — Captain Billop's case, 27 6

March 25. Letter of Sir E. Andros to Mr. Blathwayte — Indian troubles — affairs of the colonies, Ac. 277

June 19. Certificate of His Majesty's aUowanee of £1,000 for the garrison of New-York, Ac, 278

1680.
May 24. Commission of the Duke of York, appointing John Lewen his agent to proceed to New- York, to enquire

into its condition, Ac., 279

May 24. The Duke of York's instructions to John Lewen, his agent, Ac, 279

May 24. Letter of the Duke of York to Sir E. Andros — ^Mr. Lewen's appointment — Sir E. Andros to come to

England upon his arrival, leaving the Goveinment to Lieut. Brockholes, Ac. 283

May 24. Letter of Sir John Werden to Sir E. Andros — reasons for his recall, Ac, 283

July 1. Letter of Sir John Werdeu to Sir E. Andros — to enable Mr. Lewen to administer oaths, Ac. 284

August 6. Memorandum of Release to Mr. Billings and others, of West New Jersc}', and the right of Customs by

the Duke of York 284

July 28. Opinion of Sir Wm. Jones, adverse to the Duke of York's claim of Customs from New Jersey 285

September 6. Wari'ant to Sir John Churchill, Ac, to prepare a release to Sir George Carterett, Ac 286

November 6. Letter of Sir John Werden to Sir E. Andros — releases of New-Jersey, Ac, 286

CONTENTS.

ICSl.
May

12.

July

1.

July

2.

July

10.

July

30.

August

8.

August

8.

November

2.

December 31.
1082.

F<.-bruary 11.

March 28.

June 29.

June 29.

August 3.

September 30.
August 13.
September 30.
December 21.

1083.
January 4.

January 4.
January 27.
February 17.
April 28.

November 9.

December 7.
March 10.

1684.
May 12.

August
August
August

August

27.

November 1.
December 4.

1085.
February 13.
February 17.

February 18.

Page.

Letter of Sir John "Werden to Sir E. Andros — revenue — New-Jersey — Pennsylvania, &c 286

Letter from the Court of Assizes at New- York, to the Secretary of State, about the case of Captain

Wm. Dyre, collector of New- York 287

Minutes of the proceedings in the ease of WiDiam Dyre, 288

Letter of Sir John Werden to Mr. Penn — boundaries of Pennsylvania, &c., 290

Warrant to Sir E. Andros, to release Col. Lovelace's houses to Mrs. Ogle, etc., 291

Letter of Sir John Werden to Sir Allen Apsley— revenue of New- York, 291

Letter from the Duke of York to Lieutenant Brocklioles — customs, &c., 292

Proceedings of the Governor, Council, and Assembly in New-Jersey, at Elizabothtown, from 19th

October to 2d November, 293

Statement and brief for defendant, in the ease of Jlilbourne vs. Andros, 300

Report of Mr. John Lewin to the Duke of York, on the state, &e., of New- York, 302

Answer of Sir Edmund Andros to Mr. Lewin's report, <fec., 308

Report of the Duke's Attorney-General (Churchill) to the Commissioners, upon Mr. Lewin's report on

New-York affairs 314

Letter of Sir John Werden to Lieut. Brocklioles — the Duke may perhaps grant a charter to New- York,

provided the inhabitants raise money to pay debts and a garrison, <te., 317

Letter of the Duke of York to Lieutenant Brocklioles — his intention to grant an assembly, ifec, 317

Petition of William Dyre, collector at New- York, to the King, 318

Order in Council, referring Dyre's petition to the committee for trade, ite 319

Order in Council, approving the report of the committee of trade, &c., on Dyre's case, 320

Report of the committee of trade in favor of releasing Dyre's bond for his appearance, ikc 321

Proceedings at Albany between the Indians and the agents of Virginia and Maryland^ 321

Commission from the Duke of York to Colonel Thomas Dongan to be Governor of New- York, 328

E.\-traet of a letter from the Register of Scotland to Sir John Werden, respecting East New Jersey, .... 329

Letter of Sir John Werden, in reply to a letter of the Register of Scotland, respecting East New

Jersey, &c., 330

Letter of Sir John Werden to Lieutenant Brookholes — Colonel Dongan's appointment 330

Instructions from the Duke of York to Colonel Dongan, Governor of New- York, 331

Commission of Lucas Santen as collector at New-York, 335

Instructions for Lucas Santen as collector at New- York, 335

Petition of the Mayor, iSre., of New-York to Colonel Dongan, for a charter for that city, and

memorandum thereupon, 337

Letter of Lord Baltimore to Mr. Blathwayte — his right to Delaware, Ac, 339

Letter of Sir John Werden to Colonel Dongan — Rhode Island — customs in New-York — French in

Canada, <fcc 340

Relation of Mr. Gerrit Van Swceringen, of the city of St. Maries, concerning his knowledge of the
seating of Delaware Bay and River, to the southward of the 40th degree northern latitude, by the

Dutch and Swedes, <fec 342

Abstract of the proposals of the Onondaga and Cayuga Sachems, 347

Letter of the Earl of Perth and others to Colonel Dongan — East Jersey pateflt, &c 348

Letter of the Duke of York to Colonel Dongan — franchises, &c, for New-York — customs — trade with

the Indians, &c., 348

Letter of Sir John Werden to Colonel Dongan — fisheries — emigrants — proposed post-offices along the

coast from Carolina to Nova Scotia — Mint — Indian trade on the Susquehannah, 349

Letter of Sir John Werden to Colonel Dongan — quit rents — Indian trade, Ac, 351

Letter of Sir John Werden to Colonel Dongan — French and Indian affairs, <fec 353

Letter of Colonel Dongan to the Earl of Perth — East Jersey aft'airs, <fec 353

Memorandum of the receipt, by the committee of trade, &e., of certain books and papers relating to the
province of New-York, from Sir John Werden, in consequence of its devolving to the Crown, by

the accession of King James II., 354

Letter from Colonel Dongan to Sir John WcrJen — passenger ship — post-offices — Staten Island —

iiiint* &c., 355

CONTENTS. xmx

Page.

Marelf 3 Veto by King James II, of an Act entitled, The Cliarter of the Province of New-York ; and an Orden

directing letters to be addressed to Colonel Dongan, respecting the government of tlie rroymee, and ^^^

the proclamation of His Majesty in New- York, Ac, • • • • °^

Marcli 3. Observations npon the proposed Charter of the province of New-York, read m Counei , &e., •■■■••■••• ^^ ' '

March 5. Memorandum of the devolution of New-York to the Crown npon the death ot King Charles II., on Cth

February, and letter of the Pri\-y Council to Colonel Dongan •^

March 5. Letter from King James U. to Colonel Dongan-powers and instructions, etc., 300

July 15. Letter from the Mayor, &c., of New-York, to Sir John Wcrden, upon the accession of King ^^^

James II., ifcc, ." '

July 17. Order in Council approving report of the committee of trade, Ac., iu favor of Qao warrantos against ^^^^

Connecticut, Rhode Island, <fec., ^

August 11. Letter of Governor Dongan to Mr. Blathwayt^French and Indian affairs, Ac. ■ •

September. 18. Letter of Colonel Dongan to the Lord President-Government of New-York-eh.aracter of the people ^^^

of Boston and New-York — a new seal, • ; "

December 23. Captain BUlop's petition to the King for an appeal to the Privy Council from a judgment in ^^^

New-York, Ac, „

December 23. Order in Council admitting Captain Billop's appeal, &<:.,

1686. o.'Y

May 23 His Majesty's order that Colonel Dongan's salary be fixed at £600, &e.,

Mav 21 Letter of Mr. Randolph to the colony of Connectieut^Cfiw ioarra7ito, etc., • •

May 29^ Instructions from King James II. to Colonel Dongan for the government of the province of ^^^

New-York, &e ' ' ' ^^ _

June 3 Order of the committee of Privy Council to Colonel Dongan, &c.-to send journals, &c., o < .o

June 10. Letter of the committee to the Secretary of New-York to send accounts, &c., o,b

June 10. Commission constituting Thomas Dongan, Esquire, Captain General and Governor-m-Chief of New- ^^^

York, OQO

June 20. Instructions to Governor Dongan, as to acts of trade and navigation, Ac., ^^-

June 14. Letter of R. Treat, Governor of Connecticut, to Governor Dongan _^^^

July 3. Letter of Governor Ti-eat to Governor Dongan ^^^

Au-ust 5. Letter of Governor Ti-eat to Governor Dongan, .""["i -"j'l' ' li',l

October 27. Order in Council, directing the ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the Plantations to be exercised by the ^^^

commissioners, &c., in the diocese of London T " V "vV '

December 26. Letter of the Privy Council to Governor Dongan, to publish and execute the treaty of neutrabty, ^^^

concluded at London, between France and England,

February 22. Answers of Governor Dongan to the heads of inquiry of the committee for Trade and rl-tntions, ^^^
respecting New-Y'ork, &o

A^iTt' 2. Propositions, &c., of the Onondagas and Cayugas, at Albany, to Lord ^A-g'^';- _ ^;^;^_ _«°;;^™;';- ^^,

Dongan, ,,g

1686. Petition of the Commissaries of the town of Albany to Governor Dongan ^^^

1687 Petition of the French Protestants to Governor Dongan,

February 22. Letter of Governor Dongan to the Lord Presiden^council at New-York <Src., ■••;;•••• "• ^ "

February 23. Letter of Governor Dongan to the Lord President-CoUeetor ^^^^^ '^ _'^'^;';';'; J^^^"^] ^,,

land, Ac ' ,,,,,

March 2. Letter of Governor Dongan to the King-Mr. Penn'a enmity-revenue, <fcc., -

March 2. Letter of Governor Dongan to the Lord President-his rumored recall, Ac, ^^^

Address of the Mayor and Common CouneU of New-York to the King -

July 16. Letter of Mr. Graham to Mr. Spragg-French attack on the Senecas, &e., -

July 19. Letter of the Council to Governor Dongan, in favor of the French Protestants, &c. 4.b

Auffust 14 Warrant to Governor Dongan to use a new seal of New- York, &c '.[^ "''' " V" " I

lugui; 14 order of Council permitttng ships bound to East Jersey to go directly there, without touching^ at ^^^

New-Tork &c.. ...•••>• ....••• •• *

September 8. Letter of Governor Dongan to the L^rd President - French invasion of the ^eneea c--try - ^^^

encroachments — measures proposed, (fee

August 31. Examination of Kakarriel, an Indian prisoner from Canada,

XXX ■ CONTENTS.

1C87. Page.

September 1. Examination of Adandidaglita, another Indian prisoner, 433

September 7. Informations given upon oath, by Nanning Harmentse and others, about the Frouch and Indians 436

August 5. Propositions of Governor Dongan to the Five Nations of Indians at Albany 438

August 6. Answers of the Rve Nations to Governor Dongan's propositions, &e 441

August 6. Information given to Governor Dongan by several Indians, about the Fieneh, etc., 444

1G84. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de la Barre, Governor of Canada, 447

June 15. Letter of M. de la Barre to Colonel Dongan, 447

.luue 24. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de la Barre, 448

.July 5. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de la Barre, 449

July 25. Letter of M. de la Barre to Governor Dongan 450

July 25. M. de la Barre's instructions to M. do Salvaye, sent to NevF-Yovk, <to., 450

Governor Dongan's answer to M. de la Barre's message by M. de Salvaye, 462

1085.

September 10. Letter of Father Lamberville to Governor Dongan, 453

Letter of Father Dablon to Govei'uor Dongan, 454

1683.

August 18. Letter of M. Bruey to Major Ba.\ter, 455

1680.

May 22. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville, Governor of Canada, 455

June 5. Letter of M. de Denonville to Governor Dongan, 456

June 20. Letter of M. de Denonville to Governor Dongan 458

July 26. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville, 460

October 1. Letter of M. de Denonville to Qovernor Dong.an 461

December 1. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville 462

1687.

May 20. Letter of Governor Dongan to Father Lamberville, 464

June 20. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville, 465

August 21. Letter of M. de Denonville to Governor Dongan, 466

August 22. Ilemarts of M. de Denonville on Governor Dongan's letter, dated 20th June, 469

September 9. Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville, 472

September 8. Governor Dongan's instructions to Captain Palmer, on his going to England, 475

September 12. Letter of Governor Dongan to the Lord President — about going to Albany — French and Indian

affairs, <fee., 477

September 2. Letter of Mr. P. Schuyler to Governor Dongan — French and Indian news, 478

September 2. Letter of Mr. R. Livingston to Governor Dongan — French and Indian news, 480

September 5. Letter of Mr. Livingston to Governor Dongan — Indian affairs, : 481

September 7. Letter of Mr. Schuyler to Governor Dongan — French and Indian news, 482

September 9. Propositions made by the Mohawks to the Mayor, &c., of Albany 483

September 14. Propositions made by the Onondagas, &e., to the Mayor, Ac, of Albany, 485

September 1 5. Examination of Anthony I'Espinard, before Nicholas Bayard, Mayor, &c., 487

1686.

November 4. Letter of Fiithor Lamberville to Father Bruyas [intercepted] 48S

November 4. Letter i>f Falher Lamberville to Anthony I'Espinard, 490

1687.

October 13. Letter of the King to Governor Dongan, to be vigilant in prosecuting pirates, &c., 490

October 22. Letter of the King to Governor Dongan, resjieetiug the Admiralty's share of wrecks, <te., 491

October 24. Letter of Governor Dongan to the King — about his recall, &e., 492

Abstract of Mr. Santen's memoranda for a charge against Governor Dongan, and of Governor Dongan's

answer, 493

November. Abstract of articles against Mr. Santen, with the proofs, and Mr. Santen's answers 495

November 4. (!ommissiou to Mathew Plowman, to be collector, ikc, at New-York, vice Santen, 500

December 13. Instructions to Mr. Plowman, appointed collector, cSec, at New-York, 501

November 10. Letter of the King to Governor Dongan, upon Indian and French affairs — the Governor of Canada to
be notiiied that the Five Nations are owned as British subjects, and under the protection of

■ . England, &c 603

CONTENTS.

XXXI

1688.

January

22.

1687.

December
Kovcmber

iV

1688.

February

19.

1687.

October

2.

October

25.

October

31.

December

28.

1688.

February

17.

February

3.

February

4
T4

February.

February.

February.

February

A

February.

February

2S

February.

February

8.

February

13.

February

13.

February

16.

April

7.

April

7.

April

16.

April

22.

August

31.

October

4.

August

11.

August

20.

September

19.

September

18.

September

15.

September

25.

September

25.

September

29.

October

1.

October

2.

October

9.

October

23.

1689.

February

16.

May

Page.
Order of the King to Governor Dongan for a cessation of hostilities, and to encourogo a good

eorrespoudenoe with the French, &c 504

Instrument signed this day, between the English and French commissioners 605

Memorandum or protocol of conferences between the English and Fi'cuih commissioncr.s, on the subject

of the Indians, and the boundaries in North America, &c., 506

Letter of Governor Dongan to the Lord President — French .nnd Indian affairs, 510

Letter of M. de Denonville to Governor Dongan, 512

Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville 513

Letter of Governor Dongan to M. de Denonville 515

Letter of M. de Denonville to Governor Dongan 517

Letter of Governor Dongan to the Governor of Canada, 519

Governor Dongan's first demand presented to the French agents 520

Answers of the French agents to Governoi' Dongan's first demand, 521

Governor Dongan's second paper to the French agents, 622

Answer of the French agents to Governor Dongan's second paper 522

Governor Dongan's third paper to the French agents, 525

Answ(a' of the French agents to Governor Dongan's third paper 526

Governor Dongan's fourth paper to the French agents, 528

Answer of the French agents to Governor Dongan's fourth paper, 529

Governor Dongan's last paper to the French agents, 531

Governor Dongan's propositions to the Six Nations of Indians, 533

Answer of the Si.'c Nations to Governor Dongan 53J.

Governor Dongan's reply to the Six Nations 535

Propositions of the Si.x Nations to Governor Dongan • 536

Memoranda of commissions passing to Sir E. Andres and Captain Nicholson, 530

Commission of King James II., appointing Sir Edmund Andros, Kt., Captain General and Governor-in-
Chief of the Massachusetts Bay, New-Plymouth, New-Hampsliire, Maine, the Narraganset country,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New-York and East and West Jersey, and of all the continent of
America, from 40° north latitude to the River St. Croix ( Pennsylvania and Delaware excepted),

by the name, as formerly, of New-England 537

Instructions from the King to Sir E. Andros, for the government of New-England, 543

Order of the King to Governor Dongan, requiring him to resign the government of New-York to Sir

E. Andros, on his arrival, and to return to England, Ae., ; 550

Letter of Captain F. Nicholson to Mr. Povey — narrative of affairs in New England, 550

Letter of Sir E. Andros to the committee of Privy Council — his arrival in New-York on the llth of

August — state of affairs, &c., 654

Letter of Sir E. Andros to the Governor of Canada 555

Letter of M. de Denonville to Governor Dongan 556

Letter of Sir E. Andros to the Governor of Canada 557

Proceedings between Sir E. Andros, and the Five Nations of Indians at Albany, 557

Examination of an Indian named Magsipen, at Albany, before S. Cortland, 561

Examination of John Rosie, at Albany, before Mayor Schuyler, 563

Examination of Derrick Wessells, Recorder of Albany, before Mayor Schuyler 564

Information from Canada, given by four Mohawk Indians, 665

Letter of Sir E. Andross to the Governor of Canada , 566

Letter of Colonel Dongan to Sir E. Andros and the Council — his accounts 566

Letter of Mr. Randolph to the committee of Privy Council — Sir E. Andros' proceedings, 567

Letter of M. de Denonville to Sir E. Andros 669

Order in Council, appointing a connnittee for trade and foreign plantations, and direetinj; the ])roel.-ima-

tion of King William and Queen Mary, (fee, 572

Order in Council upon the report of the committee for trade, &c., respecting the state of the plantations, Ac, 673

CONTENTS.

168'J.

May

15.

May

S.

May

29.

June.

June

10.

June

5.

June

1.

June

11.

June

26.

July

9.

July

23.

July

5.

July

29.

July

30.

Aui!;ust

5.

August

5.

August

5.

August

IS.

August

20.

August.

August

31.

September

2.

September

0.

September

23.

November 14.

November J 6.

November 16.

December

10.

December

10.

December 10.

December 13.

December

13.

December

19.

December

30.

Letter from F. Nicholson, Lieutenant Governor, and the Council at New-York, to the committee — slate

of affairs, Ac,

Declaration of the freeholders, &(;., of Suffolk county, L. I

Mr. Edward Randolph's report to the committee of trade, Ac., of the state, <ic., of New England,

Addi'ess of the militia, &c., of New-York to Kin^j William and Queen Mary,

Letter from the Council of New-York to the Earl of Shrewsbury — overthrow of the government in

New-York — Captain Leislcr — Nicholson going to England, &c.,

Deposition of John Dischington, about his interview with Leisler, Ac.,

Deposition of Philip French, about his capture and interview with Leisler, &c.,

Certificate of the clergy of New-York in favor of Messrs. Cortland and Bayard,

Letter of advice, by N. Gold and James Fitch, Deputies of Connecticut, to Captain Leisler

Letter of Mr. S. Van Cortland to Sir E. Andros — narrative of affairs in New-York, &c.,

Letter of Colonel Bayard to Captain Nicholson — affairs in New- York and Albany

Abstract of the journal kept by Colonel Bayard, since the 11th of June, 1689, in New-Yor^,

Order in CouncU to the Commander-in-chief^ &c., at New-York to proclaim the King and Queen,

Letter of the King to Lieutenant Governor Nicholson, and in his absence to, &e. — to take npon himself

the government, &c

Order in Council, approving the report of the committee of trade, ifec., nj^on the Earl of Sterling's

pension claim,

Letter of Messrs. Flyjjse and Van Cortland to Mr. Blathwayte,

Letter of Stephen Van Cortland to Captain Nicholson — Leisler's proceedings — Indians — Boston, etc..

Letter of Colonel Bayard to Captain Nicholson — Lidian and French news,

Letter of Captain McKenzie to Captain Nicholson — Leisler, Andros, &e.,

Letter of Captain Leisler to the King and Queen — account of his proceedings,

Letter of Mr. John Tuder to Captain Nicholson — Leisler's proceedings, ite.,

Memorandum of the committee of Privy Conned, to move the King that a Governor be appointed for

New-York, and that presents be sent to the Indians, and two companies of foot raised, &e.,

Orders in Council for raising two cpmpanies for New- York, and for Indian presents, &c.,

Letter of Lord EfEngham to the Earl of Sunderland — French and Indian affairs,

Extract of a letter of Colonel Bayai-d, about the Five Nations and the French in Canada,

Reasons offered by Colonel Sloughter to the committee of Privy Council, for the settlement, Ae., of the

government of New-York,

Draft of a commission to Henry Sloughter, Esq., to be Governor, Ac., of New-York,

Report of Joost Stol, on behalf of the militia, Ac, of New-York, to the Earl of Shrewsbury,

Account of the proceedings of ensign Joost StoU, Ac

Letter of Col. Bayard to Captain Nicholson — conduct of Leisler, Ac,

Letter of Colonel Bayard to Lord Shrewsbmy — Leisler's conduct, Ac,

Letter of Colonel Bayard to Sir Edmund Andros,

Narrative of the chief occurrences, abuses, Ac, committed by Jacob Leisler. and several of his

associates, at Now- York, since the 27th day of April,

Messrs. Flypse and Van Cortland's certificate of Captain Leisler's taking a packet of despatches, Ac,

from Riggs,

Letter of Mr. Van Cortland to Sir E. Andros — wishes to be made collector, Ac,

Letter of P. Revcrdye to the Bishop of London — French families in New-York,

Petition to the King, of merchants trading to New-York, for forces to be sent to New-York to defend

it from the French

Reasons in support of the preceding petition

5S6
587
588
589
590
598
699
605

606
608
609
611
612
614
616

618
619
619
620

622
623
629
632
633
634
635

649
649
650

651
652

1690.

January

7.

January

7.

16S9

October

20.

Letter of Captai)i Leisler to the King — account of his proceedings,.
Letter of Leisler and his Council to the Bishop of Salisbury-
New-York, Ac,

count of their proceeding

Colonel Bayard's orders to Captain Abram Depeystcr, Ac, 65S

Affidavits concerning agreement of Sir E. Andros witli certain Indians to attack New-York, Ac 659

Deposition of Andi'ies Greveraet and George Brewerton, about tlieir interview with Captain Nicholson

on 5th February, 1689, 660

CONTENTS. xxxiu

Page.
1690.

January 14. Letter of Colonel Bayard to llr. Julin Weiit, at Boston [ intereeptea ] 6(.l

January 14. Letter of "W. Nichols to Mr. George Farewell [ iuterccpteJ ], (''^^

1689.

December 28. Letter of Edward Randolph to Major Brockholcs at New-York [ intercepted ] 664

1690.
January 21. "A modest and impartial narrative of several grievances and great oppressions that the peaceable
inhabitants of New-York lie under, by th«j extravagant and arbitrary proceedings of Jacob Lcysler

and his associates." [ Printed at New- York, and reprinted at London, 1690.] 665

January 31. Instrnctions to Henry Sloughter, Esq., appointed Governor of New-York, Ac., 685

March 13. Warrant to pay a chaplain and other officers for the two foot companies at New-York, Ac 691

March 12. Memorial of Robert Livingston, and Gerrit Teunise, agents from Albany, and Thomas Garton, from

Ulster, to the Governor and Council of Connecticut, C92

March 22. Memorial of Messrs. Livingston, Teunise, and Garton, to the Governor, Council and Rejiresentation of

Massachusetts,

March 21. Letter of Mr. Livingston to Mr. Ferguson— affairs in New- York, Ac., 698

Slarch 31. Letter of Lieutenant Governor Leisler to the King, asking encouragement, <fec., "^OO

March 31. Letter of Lieutenant Governor Leisler to the Bishop of Salisbury— attack and burning of Schenectady—

Indians — neighboring colonies — New-York affairs, <fec ' ''"

March 4. Commission of Milbourne, <&c., to proceed to Albany, and superintend affairs there 102

April 11 Memorial of Mr. Livingston to the Governor, &c., of Connecticut, for assistance against the French,

and their proceedings thereupon, ''-'■'

April 14. Letter of Mr. Livingston to Sir Edmund Andros— French and Indian news, &c. T08

April 17. Minute of the board, &c., about New- York records at Boston ^10

April 26. Order in Council, for the delivery of a sloop built in New-England, to Governor Sloughter, <tc., 711

April 30. Order of the King to the government of Massachusetts, thereupon, 'ill

May 3 Proceedings between Leisler's commissioners at Albany and the Five Nations "7 H

May 6. Letter from Father Lamberville to Father Milet, ' 1-*

May 19. Letter of Mr. Van Cortland to Sir E. Andros— Leisler— Schenectady— New-York, and the other

colonies, &<•., '

May 16. Letter of Mr. Thomas Newton to Captam Nicholson— Port Royal— Albany, &c "'-^

May 27. Report to the committee of trade, &c., by Sir Edmund Andros, of his administration of New

England, itc, ""_

May 31. Warrant to Governor Sloughter to use the seal of New-York, &e., |^26

June 7. Letter of Mr. Livingston to Lieutenant Governor Nicholson— Milbourne's proceedings, &c. 727

May 9. Letter of Mr. Livingston to the Governor, &e., of Connecticut, ^28

May 13. Letter of Mr. Livingston to the Governor, &c., of Connecticut, '30

Juue 23. Letter of Leisler, &c., to the Earl of Shrewsbury— French and Indian affairs, Ac. 731

■ June 15. Instructions of the Governor of Canada to ChevaUer d'Eau, going to the Iroquois 733

June 15. Message of Oreaoue, the Cayuga chie^ by the persons he sent to the Iroquois V35

June 23. Petition of Captain Benjamin Blagge, on behalf of Lieutenant Governor Leisler, &c., to the King, 737

A memorial of what has occurred in New-York since the news of their Majesties' happy arrival in

„ , , 738

England, ^ ^

June 6. Depositions of several persons about a riot at New-York, Ac, '

Depositions to prove that Robert Livingston was a Jacobite, ' ■* '

Deposition to prove that James Emott took the oath allegiance to King James before Father Smith 747

Letter of 'William NicoUs to Lieutenant Governor Leisler ■■ ■■■ ' *"

Mav 19- The humble address of the merchants, Ac, of New- York to the King, complaining of Leisler's

'■' ,. t 74S

proceeuings, Ac,

June 23. Petition of Lieutenant Governor Leisler and others to the King ' »^

October 17. Letter of Privy CouneU to Governor Sloughter, enclosing the preceding papers, with directions to ^^

examine into them, Ac. ^'_

October 20. Letter of Lieiitenant Governor Leisler and others to the King, imploring countenance, Ac, '51

October 20. Letter of Lieutenant Governor Leisler and others to the Earl of Shrewsbury— account of New-York ^^

affairs, Ac, since the 1st of May

November 7. Letter of John Clapp to the Secretary of State in behalf of the freeholders, Ac, of Long-Island—

usm-pations and tyrannical proceedings of Jacob Leisler and his accomplices, Ac, i SI

Vol. III. E

XXXIV

1091.

]tfai-oh

27.

April

5.

May

0.

Mny

V.

May

7.

May

7.

May

8.

May

26.

May

26.

June

1.

June

2.

June

4.

.Tune

22.

J une

20.

July

2.

July

11.

July

14.

July

29.

July

29.

August

6.

August

6.

August

9.

Sfptcnilici

• 4.

Ootolj.n-

15.

1G92.

January

8.

January

8.

1C91.

December

80.

[ December.]

1692.

March

7.

CONTENTS.

Page.

Marob

18.

April

28.

May

12.

May

30.

[.lune.]

June

1.

June

Letter of Giirernor Slongbter to (lie Earl of Nottingham — liis arrival at New-York — state of affairs

there, etc 756

Letter of Jlr. C. Brooke to Sir Robeit Southwell — liis arrival at jN'ew-York in January — Leisler's

proceedings, &c., 757

Letter of Governor Sloughter to the P^arl of Nottingluun — affairs in New-York ami the other colonies —

Lei.sler's condemnation, &c 759

Letter of Governor Sloughter to the committee of trade, &e., 762

Answer to the memorial presented by Captain Benjamin Blaggc to the King 763

Letter of Governor Sloughter to . the committee — account of his voyage and arrival — New-York

affairs, A:e 766

Letter of Governor Sk)Ugliter to the Duke of Bolton— military affairs, etc., 768

Letter of Governor Bradstreet, iu belialf of the council of Massachusetts, to Lord Nottingham — New-
York records, sloop, &e 709

Pro])ositions of the Praying Indians, or Christian Mohawks, to Govei'nor Sloughter, at Albany, 771

Governor Sloughter's answer to the preceding propositions, 772

Governor Sloughter's propositions to the Five Nations at Albany, 773

Answer of the Five Nations to Governor Sloughtei''8 propositions, 774

Propositions of the Mohawks and other Indians to Governor Sloughter at Albany, and his replies,. . . . 777

Letter of Mr. Livingston to Governor Sloughter — French and Indian affairs, etc. 781

E.\amination of two Mohawk Indians arrived from Canada, 782

Letter of Mr. Livingston to Governor Sloughter — Indian and Canadian afi'airs, 783

Circular letter of Governor Sloughter to the neighboring colonies, Ac, 7 S 4

Letter of the Governor, &e., of Connecticut to Governor Sloughter in reply 786

Letter of the committee in Maryland to Governor Sloughter in reply 788

Intended letter of Governor Sloughter to Mr. Blathwayt — narrative of alfairs in New-York — Leisler's

execution, &e., , 789

Letter of R. Ingoldsby, Commander-in-Chief, &c., to the committee of trade, &q. — death of Governor

Slought^H' — affairs in New-York, <fec., 791

Letter of the Commander-in-Chief and Council, Ac, at New-York, to Mr. Blathwayt. — narrative of

affairs iu New-York, since 19th of March last, 794

Address of the Governor, Ac, of New-York to the King — account of affairs in New- York, &c. 796

A modest and true relation of the sundry accidents happening to Major Schuyler, and the party of Chris-
tians and Indians under his command, in their expedition to Canada, 21 June to 9 August, 1691, . . . 800

Propositions of the Senecas, Oneidas and Mohawks, at Albany, and answers thereto, 805

Memorial of William Van Breen, ami others, residents at the Hague, respecting the occurrences in

New-Yoi-k, iu 1690 and 1691, 809

Letter of the Commander-in-Chief and Council at New-York to Lord Nottingham — frontier affairs, Ac., . 812

Letter of Council at New- York to Mr. Blathwayt — Military affairs, &c., 813

Letter of the officers at Albany to Major Ingoldsby — Indian and French affairs, Ac 814

Letter of Dirck Wessels aad L. Van Sehaiek to the Speaker — French and Indian affairs, 817

lusti-uctions for Benjamin Fletcher, Esq., appointed Governor, Ac, of New- York, 818

Petition of Jacob Leisler, son of Lieutenant Governor Leisler, to the King, 825

Order in Council approving the report of the committee for trade, Ac, upon the petition of ,facob

Leisler, Ac 827

Commission to Benjamin Fletcher, Esq., to be Governor, Ac, of New-York, 827

Letter of Major Ingoldsby to the Duke of Bolton — state of the Pi'ovinee, Ac, 833

. Order in Council amending Governor Fletcher's commission for the government of Pennsylvania, Ac, . . 835

. Letter of the Council at New-York to Mr. Blathvvayt — account of New-York affairs, Ac, 836

Rejiresentation of the jiroprietors of East Jersey to the connnittee for trade, Ac. — militia forces —

assistance to New- York, Ac, 838

Letter of the propietors of West Jersey to Governor Fletcher — assistance to NeW-York, Ac, 838

Instructions from the governor and proprietors of West Jersey, to their Deputy Governor, conceraing

the militia, Ac, , 839

CONTENTS. XXXV

1G92. Pace.

June 6. Propositions of M.ijor Ingol Jsby to tlie Five Nations, at Albany, witb their answers thereto 840

June 22. Letter of Major Ingoldsby to tlie Duke of Bolton — affairs in New-York, itc, 84.5

September 10. Letter of Governor Fletcher to Mr. Bl.athwayt — his arrival at New-York on August 28 — proceedings, <tc., 846

September 10. Letter of Governor Fletcher to the Earl of Nottingham — affairs in New- York 847

September 10. Letter of Governor Fletcher to [ Mr. Blathwayt] — state of the province — French affairs — frontiers, &c., 848
September 16. Some objections against the present pretended government in Connecticut, humbly tendered to

[Governor Fletcher's] consideration, by Edward Palms, William Rose well, and Greshem Bulkeley . . 849

September 23. Letter of Governor to the Earl of Nottingham 854

September 23. Examination of three prisoners, and two French renegades from Canada 855

October 11. The Queen's letter to Sir William Pliipps, to assist New- York, Ac., 8.55

October 21. Draft of commission to Benjamin Fletcher, Esq., for the government of Pennsylvania, itc, 856

October 28. Instructions to Benjamin Fletcher, Esq., for the government of Pennsylvania, &e 861

LONDON DOCUMENTS
I - VIII.

Order in Council respecting certain complaints against Capt. Argall, iic.

[Counci\ Register, Jac. I., R. 1613-1614, I. 116.]

At the Court at Whitehall the 2 of January 1G13 being Sunday before noone

Tresext. — Lo. Archbp. of Cant. E- of Pembroke

Lo. Chancellor Lo. Zouche

Lo. Privie Seale Lo. Knollis

Lo. Chamberlaine Lo. t^tanhope

E. of Worcester S-- Jul : Cfesar

Lo. Chiefe Justice.

A Letter to S"" TItomas Smith.

Wee have latelie received divers compl" exliibited by the French ambassador on the behalfe of
certaine Frenchmen of Rochelle, St. John de Luz, and others, some of them concerninge
outrac.es committed upon them, (as is alleged) on the coast of Canada by Cap- Argall employed ■
for Virginia, others on their fishing voyage towards Groenlands by one Cap- Benjamon
Joseph, who commanding a ship of the Mosco^de companie this last summer, found some of
those Frenchmen in those pt^ and tooke from them a great quantitie of Traine and whale bones,
wherewith they had laden their Shipp, and sent them away emptie, as appeareth by the memo-
rialls presented by the French ambassador, which we send you herewithall. ^

Forasmuche as it will be expected that His Ma-^^ should iorthmth give some satisuiction to
the said Ambassador, touchinge both compl- we have thought good first to require you to
acquaints some of the councell of Virginia herewithall, as also some of the Moscovie con^^ame
so far as it concemes eyther of them respectively and to retume us their severall and particular
answers unto cache of them with all expedition, that the ambassador may likewise receive his
answer from his Ma"'^ or his Boord.

2 NEW-YOEK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

An-iwer to the preceding Order.

[ CouiK-il KegisUr, .T:ic. I., U. 1013-1614, I. 121.]

At Whitehall tlie 2o ol January 1613, beiuge Sonday afteniooii

Pke.se\t. — Lo. Archb. of Cant. Lo. Knollys

Lo. Chancellor Lo. Wotton

Lo. Pr. Seale Lo. Stanhope

Lo. Clianiberlaine S"' Jul: Ctesar.

The answer of the Lds. of His Ma''^' Privie Councill unto the eomplaynts exhibited by tlie
Lo. Embassador of France touchinge spoyles and other violences supposed to be committed by
His Ma'" subjects of Great Brittaine upoif the subjects of France on the coast of Greeneland
and Cannada. \^rart rclaUng to Greenland oinUoJ.'^ ^

For the matter of Cannada, their Ld^P^ having required the Tre'' and Councell of V^lrgiuia,
whom it concernes, to make answer tliereunto, they say, that since the month of June, tliey
have not received any shipp or advice from Virginia, whereby they cannot be informed of any
such misdemeanors, but upon Cap''" Argalls returne wdiich tliey expect about the beginning of
the Spring, or upon any other notice of the fact, (whereof they will seeke to be informed by all
the meanes they may,) they will certifie their Ld''", whereupon such course shall be taken for
restitution and punishment of the ottenders as shall be to the good satisfaction of the sayd Lo.
Eml)assador, and tlie parties interested.

Petition of Adventurers for settling Colonies in Virginia; 3 March^ 1620.

[Trade Papers, Stale Paper Office, V. 55.]
To THE KiNGES MOST EXCELLENT Ma.IESTIE.

The mo.st humble peticon of yo'' jNIa''" counsell for the second colonic, and other
the adventm-ers in the Western partes of England lor the plantacon in the
North Partes of Virginia in America.

Mcnje il i)trasc yo'' mosi E.rcrltrn/ Majestic,

Whereas it pleased yo'' Ma""" by yo"" mo.st gratious L"'" patentes bearing date the of

Aprill in the fowerth yeare of yo'' Mat"'' most blessed raigne to give lycence for the establishinge
of two Colonies in Virginie in America, the one caled the First Colonie undertaken by certains
noble men knightes and merchants about London ; the otlier caled the Second Colonie likewise
undertaken by certaine knights gentlemen and merchants of the Western partes; by vertue
whereof some of the Western j)artes hath at their greate charg and extreme hazard continewed
to endeavour to descov'' a place fitt to entertaine such a designe, as also to find the meanes to
bring to passe soe noble a worke : in the constant pursuite whereof it hath pleased God to ayde

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 3

them w"" his blessing soe far as, in the confidence of the continewauce of His Grace, they are
resolved to pursue the same wth all the power and meanes they are able to make, to His
glorie, yo'' Ma'"^' honour and the publique good of the countiye.

And as it pleased yo'' Ma"^ to be gi-atious to those of the first colonie in enlarginge of the first
patent two seav"'all times with many privileges & immunities according to yC princely boimtye,
w^hereby they have bin incouraged in their proceedinges : Yo"' Peticoners doe in all humillitie
desire that yo' Ma"'' will voutchsafe unto them tlie like, that they maye w"" more boldiies goe
on as they have begim, to the satisfaction of yo"" Ma"" most religious expectacon, w"- the
alteracon onely of some few things & the additions here insueing.

First, that the territories where yo"" peticoners makes their plautacon may be caled (as by the
Prince His Highnes it hath bin named) New England, that the boundes thereof may be setled
from 40 to 4-5 degrees of Northerly latitude & soe from sea to sea through the maine as the
coast lyeth, & that yo' INIa'' counsell residing here iii England for that plantacon may consist of
a President, Vicpresident, Treasurer, Secretary & other their associates, to be chosen out of
the noble men & luiights adventurers home about London, & others the adventurers both
knio-htes gentlemen and merchants in the western countryes ; Soe as the said comisell doe not
exceede the number of 40, who as one incorporate bodye maye as often as neede requires be
assembled when and where the P'sideut or \'icp'sident, w'" the Treasm-er and Secretary or
any two of them, to be assisted w*'' five or three others of the counsell shall think most conve-
nient for that service ; wherby yo"" Ma'^ most humble peticoners doth verily hope, by Gods holy
assistance to settle their plantacon to the imployeiug of many of yo"' Ma'^ Subjects and the content
of all that are well disposed to the prosperitie of y"' Ma'^ most happie raigne.

And soe yo"' Ma'' most humble peticoners shalbe bowud (as in duty they are)
to pray for all increase of glory & perpetuall happiness to yo'' Ma"" blessed
posteritie for ever.

March 3, 1619. Upon readeinge of this peticon, their Lips, did order that the Lo. Duke of

Lenox, Lo. Steward of his Ma'^ Household, and the Earle of Anmdell shall take notice of the

peticon, consider of the demands for prix-iledges, and thereupon certefie their opinions to their

Lips, that such further order may be taken as shalbe meete.

(Signed) C. Edmondes.

TFarm?*^ to prepare a Patent for the Northern Company of Virginia.

[ Council Eepster, Jac. I., E. 1615-:620, IV. 576.]

At Whitehall the 23 July 1G20.

Pre.sext. — Lo. Chancellor Lo. Digby

Lo. Privy Seale M"" Comptroler

E. of Anmdell JP Sec^ Namiton

E. of Soutliampton M"' See' Calvert

Lo. Bp of Wintou M'' of the Roles
.M'' ul' l!ie Wai-des.

4 NEW-VDKK COI,ONIA1. MANTT^^CRIPT.S.

A Lit' til S'' Tlmiiuis Coiriitru, A/iig/it, /lix mujis Solici.tur (Icmritl.
Whereas it is thought litt that a Patent of Incorporation be granted to tlie Adventurers of
the Northern collonye in Virginia to containe the like liberties priviledges, power, authorities,
Landes, and all other thinges within their Ijnnitts viz' hetweene the degrees of 40 and 48
as were heretofore granted to the companie of Virginia, Excejjting only that whereas the
said companie have a freedom of custome and subsidie for i.vi yeares, and of impositions for ever,
this new companie is to be free of custome and subsidie for the like term of yeares, and of
Impositions tor so long tyme as his Ma'''^ shall be pleased to grant unto tliem. These shal lie
tlierefore to will and require you to prepare a Patent readie for his ma'*'* royal! signature, to
the purpose aforesaid, leavinge a blanke for the tyme of freedom from Impositions to be
supijhed and put in l)y his Ma"'' and for which this shall l)e your Warrant. Dated, tSrc.

Order in Council on tlte difference hetiveen tite Noriliem and Sontliern Plantation-^'.

[CuiiiK'il Kcgister, Jac. J., E. V. 58. J

Att Whitehall the ISlh of June 1621.

Present. — Lo. Archbishopp of Canterburie.

Lo. Treasurer Lo. Vic. B'alkland

Lo. Privie Seale Lo. Carew

Lo. Steward Mr Sec7 Calvert

Lo. Admirall M'' Ch'' of y^ Excq""

Lo. Chamberlaiue M'' of the Rolles

Ea. of Arundell M'' of the Wardes

Lo. Vic. Doncaster M"' Deane of Westminster

Whereas there was a Petition exhibited unto his Majestie in the name of the Patentees and
Adventurers in the Plantation of New England concerning some difference betweene the
southeme and noi'tlienie colonies, the w'' I'elition was by his Ma'^ referred to the consideration
of the Lords, Their Lopp'' upon the hearing and debating of the matter at large, and by the
consent of both Colonies, did establish and confirm two fonner oi-ders, the one bearing date the
]()th of IMarch l(jJ9, agreed upon by the Duke of Lenox and the Earle of Arundell, (to whome
the business was refl-n-ed by the r)0ard) the other of the 21st of July 1620, ordered by tlie
Board, wherel)y it was thought htt that tlu^ said Colonies should fisli att and witliin tlie
limitts and bounds of eacli other reciprocully, with this limitation, that it bee only for the
sustentation of the people of the Colonies there, and for the transportation of people into either
colony (as by the said order more att large appeareth). And further it was ordered att this
present by their Lopps. that they should have freedome of tiie shore for drying of their netts,
and taking and saving of their fisli, and to have wood for their necessary uses, liy the assignment
of the dovwners alt reasonable rates. Ijastly, that the patteut of tlu' nortlierne i'lantation shall be
I'ciiewed according to the premises, And those of tlie soutiienu' Plantation to liave a sight
tlirreol' bcfci-e it bee eiigrossfd. And the fonucr ]ialriit to be di'liviTcd iiiln the hands of the
iialteniccs.

LONDON UCK'UMENT.S: 1 '<>

Order m Council relative to encwachment, oa the <jnmt to the New Etujland CompaH,j.

[Council Register, Jac. I., E. \'. MS. ]

At Hampton Coiu-t the 2Stli September l(i21.

Pkksext. I-'O. Airhbishop uf Caiiterburie,

Lo. Keeper ^^o- Brooke

Lo. Treasurer I^o. Cranfield

Lo. Stewarde M' '^^c^ Calvert

E. Marshall i^I"' oi' the Roles

Lo. Vic. Falkland ^^ii" l«it'h. Weston.
Lo. BP Whitoii

A Letter to t/ic Mayors of BrlstoU Exon. Fli/mout/t, Dartmonll,, Barnstable, ami iranwouth, and to
^ each of them, and to all Mrehaats, owners of Shij.ps and other His Ma"" sid.jeets lo ichom it shall
or may appcrtainc.
Whereas wee have been informed on the behalfe of the President and Couucill of New
England, that although they by their ordinances established by the authoritie of his I\Ia''- letters
patents have freely gh-eu way to divers Marchauts or others to become Adventurers with them
in their trade and Plantation in those parts, soe as they submitt themselves to such convenient
orders as shaU be sett do%vne for the advancement of that plantation, and more regular and
free increase of Publick Trade, uotwithstaudinge there are some what have alreadie attempted,
and are in further preparation to assume a libertie to themselves to trade to the prejudice of the
said Plantation, ^^'ithout resort to the said Government or orders established ibr the publick
good. Which, if it should bee tollerated in them, would not only bee a prejudice to the Plantation
adventurers, who by their Industrie have discovered those remoate places, and with the hazard ol
the hves of their people and expense of their Estates have layd the first foundation of soe
honorable an enterprise, but would alsoe bringe a confusion to the said Plantation and an
overthrowe imtoe that Trade, and bee likewise an utter discouragement to all future endeavours
of the like kinds. Wee liave therefore thought fitt li^reby to lett you knowe and doe require
you to sigiiifie as much unto such of his Ma"" subjects inhabitinge neere unto that Coast whom
"the sam^ may conceme, That if anie person shall presume to attempt, or doe anie thing in
that behalfe contrary to his Ma"=^ said Graunt, hee is-to expect uoe less than the due execution
thereof, and such further pimishnient as is fitt to be inflicted upon those that shall coutemne his
Ma''" Royall authoritie. Neverthelesse it is hereby intended and soe ordered, that the agreement
' made by order of this Board betweene them of New England and Virginia shall in all respects
be duly observed by either partie. And soe &c. &c. ^

G NEW-YUKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order (igaimi the Ditteh trading to Neiv England.

[Council Register, Jac. I., P.. 16'i()-l(V28, V. 209.]

At Whitehall, the 1-5"" of December 1621

Present — Lo. Treasurer Lo. Steward

Lo. President E. Marshall

Lo. Privie Seale Lo. Digbie
W Secy Calvert.

A heller to Sir DmUey Carleton, K' His Maj"^'^ Ambassador resident icith the States of

the United Proniices.

Whereas, his Ma'" Subjects have many yeares since taken possession of the whole precinct,
and inhabited some parts of the North of Virginia, (by us called New-England) of all which
countries His Ma''= hath in like manner, some yeares since by Patent granted the quiet and full
possession unto particular persons, Neverthelesse wee understand that the yeare past the
Hollanders have entered upon some parte thereof, and have left a Colonic and given new
names to the severall ports appertaining to that part of the Countrie, and are now in readinesse
to send for their supply six or eight shipps, whereof His Ma'" being advertised, wee have
received his royall commandment to signifie his pleasure tliat you should represent these things
unto the States Generall in his Ma" name (who jure primaj occupationis hath good and sufficient
title to those parts) and require of them that as well those shipps as their further prosecution of
that plantation, may be presently stayed. And soe, not doubting your best endeav"^'' herein
wee, &c.

Privy Council to Sir Dudley Carleton.

[ Slate PaiierOfflop; Ilcllan.!, 1G21.]

After o"" verie heartie coraendacons to Yo'' Lopp. Whereas His Ma" subjectes have many
yeares since taken possession of the whole precinct and inhabited some partes of the North of
Virginia (by us called New-England) of all wh"^"" countries His Ma''"^ hath in like manner
some yeares since by patent granted the quiet and full possession unto particular persons f
Neverthelesse wee understand that the yeare past the Hollanders have entered upon some
partes thereof and there left a Colonic and given new names to the severall portes appertaining
to that part of the countrie, and are now in readiness to send for their supply six or eight shipps.
Whereof His Ma""" being advertised, wee have received his royall comandement to signifie his
pleasure that yow should represent these thinges unto the States Generall in His Ma" name
(v^'Jio jure prima- occupationis hath a good and sufficient title to those parts) and require of them
that aswell those shipps as their further prosecution of that plantation may be presently stayed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 7

And soe, not doubriug of yo'' Lopps. best endeavo'" herein Wee bid yow verie hnitely farewell.
From Whitehall the 1-5"" December 1621

Yo'" Lopps. verie loving iriendes
L. Cranfeild. H. Mandeville.

E. WoRCESTEK
ArUNDELL & 8URREY.

Lenox J. Digbve.

Geo. Calvert

To o"" verie good Lord S"" Dudley Carlton Kn'
His Ma'" Arabassdo'', Resident w"" the States
of the United PiToinces.

S'' Dudlei/ Carlefon A7>ibasmdor at The Hague^ to the Lords of the Council.

[Tr;ide Papers, State Paper Office. VI. 19.]

May it please yo"" Lip'

Having received yo"' Lips Ires of the IS"" of December touching the Hollanders entering a
year since and planting a colonie upon some parts of the North of Virginia w"'in the precinct of "
w'^'' his Ma'y had formerly graunted by his patent, the quiet and full possession unto particular
persons, vp"" commandement from his Ma'^ to move the States Generall, not only to make stay of
such shipps as are here prepared for that voyage, but likewise to prohibit the fm-ther prosequution
of that plantation ; I tooke the liberty W'" the season gave me (all the comitiy shipps being ..
then, as they still are, bound in with yce) to enforme my selfe of the state of the business before
I would appeare in their assembly ; & could not lynd eyther by such merchants w"" whoine I
have aquaintance at Amsterdam, or by the Prince of Orange & some of the States of whome I
made enquirie, any more in the matter, but that about fower or five years since two particular .
companies of Amsterdam merchants, began a trade into those parts betwi.xt 40 and 45 degi-ees, -
to w'^'' after their manner the)" gave their own names of New Netherlands a south & a north y
sea, a Texel, a Vlielaud, & the like ; whither they have ever since continued to send shipps of
30 and 40 lasts at the most to fetch furrgs, W^"" is all their trade ; for the providing of W^"" they,
have certaiue factors there continually resident trading w"" savages, and at this present there is
a ship at Amsterdam bound for those parts ; but I cannot leaiiie of anie Colonie eyther already-
planted there by these people, or_^o much as intended ; & I have this further reason to believe
there is none, because w'Hn these few months divers inhabitants of this country to a considerable
number of familyes have bene suters unto me, to procure them a place of habitation amongst
his Ma"'''* subjects in those parts ; w"^"" by his Ma''"' order was made knowTi to the Directo""' of the
plantacon, and yi these countrey men were in any such way themselves, there is small
apparence they would desire to mingle w"" strangers & be subject to their government.
Nevertheles because more may be knowne to yo"" Lip' then I can leame here, I have not fayled
of my duty in demaunding audience of the States & saying to them what I was commaunded ;
the effect whereof (as the use here is being so required) I gave them in writing according to the

S XKW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

copic [ scud yo' JJ])' lierewith ; w"''' tiiose of Holland demaunded of the asseinblic, whereby to
take inl'ormalidii of tlie business (of which tliey pretended ignorance) Iherenpon to frame an
Miisweari* to His Ma"' \\ '"'' wlien I shall n'ccave 1 will not fayle to advertise yo'' Lip". So I most
liunibly take leave. From the Hagh the V^ of Tebniary U'clM.

V'' LlP'

most humlilv to be comaiinded

(Signed) Dinian' ('ahletox.

.S>'/- DihIIi'ij ( '(()'Itt(ni''S Mtinnj'idI to tin Sfale'S (jciiti-al.

[ TllAXSLATKD FltOM TllK FREXCII.J
[Slate PriixT Offifo; Tlollan.i, lCi2. ]

Cientlenien,

1 have received express orders from the King my master to present lo your L'd'shps
additional complaints in regard to Maritime affairs caused by the subjects of these United
Provinces, especially by the Hollanders, and to request you, in his name to apply a remedy
to them by your authority.

Several of his English subjects. Lords and other persons of station and quality having a long
time ago taken possession of all the precincts of Virginia, and planted their settlemeut in
certain parts of the northern cpiarter of said country, which takes its name (Nova Anglia)
tbereli'om. His Majesty desiring the successful issue of so sacred and useful an enterprize,
wliich tends to the advancement of the Christian Religion aiul the increase of Trade, graiUed
several years ago, as is notorious to every one, by his Letters patent, quiet and full possession ol'
the whole of the said country to several private individuals.

Notwithstanding which he is informed that some Hollanders have last j'ear landed in some
parts of said country and there planted a C'olony, altering the names of tlie ports and liarbours
and baptizing them anew after their fashion, intending to send thither other ships for the
continuance of said plantation, and tliat in fact they have now six or eight vessels all ready to
sail thither.

Now H. M. having incontestably the riglit to the said country {jure piime occiqKiiioiiis) lias
commanded nie to represent to you the state of said affair and to request you in his name, not
only that the ships already equipped for said voyage may, by your authority, be stopped, but
also that the ulterior prosecution of said plantation may be expressly forbidden.

Which, gentlemen, you will take, if you please, into prompt deliberation, communicating to
me, at the earliest, the answer which I am to make His Majesty on your part.

Exhibited in writing in the Assembly of the States General the 9"" of
Febiiiary 1622, and Signed

Dudley Carletox.
(Endorsed by Cakleton)

" Minute of my P'position presented
" in writing to y*' States General
" V' 0"' Feb^- K>2:7.'"

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 1. y

Petition of the Walloons and French to Sir Dudley Carleton. [ 5 Feb. ] 1622.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
t State Paper Office; Holland, 162i. ]

My Lord the Ambassador of the Most Serene King
of Great Britain is most humbly supplicated to
advise and reply to us on the following articles.

I. Firstly, will his Majesty be pleased to pemiit fifty or sixty families, as well Walloons as
French, all of the reformed religion, to settle in Virginia, a country under his obedience, and
will he be pleased to protect and defend them from and against all, and maintain them in their
religion.

II. And as said families may consist of nearly three hundred persons, they would also wish to
take with them a quantity of cattle as well for purposes of husbandry as for their support, and
would therefore require more than one ship ; would not his Majesty then accommodate them
with one, supplied and equipped with cannon and other arms, on board of which they could
make their voj'age with whatever they might themselves be able to furnish, return in search of
commodities for the places conceded by his said Majesty and at the same time export those of
the country.

III. When an-ived in said country, would he not please permit them to select a spot fit for
their settlement, from the places not yet cultivated by those whom his said Majesty hath been
pleased to send thither.

IV. Might they not erect a town for their security in said selected places, provide it \\\{\\
necessary fortifications, elect therein a Governor & Magistrates for the administration both of
police and justice under the fundamental laws which it shall please his said Majesty to establish
in said countries.

V. Would his said Majesty please to furnish cannon and amunition fiir tlie jjreservation of
said place, & grant them, in case of necessity, the right to make powder, run bullets and cast
cannon under his said Majesty's arms and escutcheon.

VI. Would he not grant them a banlieu or territory of eight English miles all round, i.e.,
sixteen miles in diameter, which they might cultivate as fields, meadows, vineyards and in other
ways ; which ten-itory they should hold from his said Majesty, either conjointly or severally, in
such fealty as his said Majesty may deem reasonable, without any other person being able to
reside there imless by taking a patent (lettre de baillette) of the land therein contained, in which
would be reserved Inferior Seigniorial Rights ; and whether those amongst them who could
live as nobles would not be permitted to declare themselves such.

VII. Whether they might not hunt in said countries all game whether fuiTcd or feathered,
( a poll et a plume ) fish in the seas and rivers, cut trees of lofty and other growth both for
navigation and other purposes according to their pleasure ; in fine, make use of every thing
under and above ground at their pleasure and will, (royalties excepted) and trade in all with
those peniiitted them.

Which privileges would extend solely to the said families and their's, without any new
comers being able to avail themselves of them ; which means, that they would concede to them
according to and not beyond their power, were his said Majesty not to concede to them anew.
Vol. I. 2

10 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And as they understood that his said Majesty hath established a public warehouse in London,
in which and not elsewliere are to be v.nloaded the merchandizes coming from said countries,
and considering tliat it is only reasonable that those who by their labour and industry have
procured for the public the enjoyment of this country, sliould receive the first fiiiits thereof, they
will submit to the constitutions established there, for that purpose, which for their better
obsen'ance shall be conmumicated to them.

Under which conditions and privileges they would promise fealty and obedience such as
faithful and obedient subjects owe their King and Sovereign Lord, submitting themselves, with
all their power, to the laws generally established in said countries.

My lord Ambassador will, if he please, give information on the preceding ; likewise if it would
be his pleasure to expedite said priiilege in due form as soon as possible, in consequence of the
shortness of tlie time to collect whatever is necessary from now to March, which is the convenient
season for embarking. This doing he will oblige his servants to pray God for the realization of
his holy designs and for health and long life.

(Signed) Jose de Forest.

( Endorsed by Sir Dudley Carleton)

" Supplicaon of certaine
" Walloons & French
" who are desirous to
" goe into Virginia."

tSec7'etary Calvert to Sir Dudley Carleton.

[ state Taper Office ; lloUan.i, ir,22. ]

In the conclusion of yo'' last Ire, yow write unto me that you will treat with the States
concerning the new Plantation of the Hollanders in Virginea as soone as- you can take infomiacon
of the state of the businesse, w"" w'^'' you would have bene glad the Lordes of the Councell had
bene pleased to accompany their commaundm'*' ; I doe not know what it meanes, for from my
self I doe not remember you had any direcon to treat with the States about such a plantation.
Onelie T doe well call to minde that there were certaine Wallons that offered themselves and to
carry w"" them threescore families, soe as they might have a porcon allotted unto them in that
country to build a towne upon, with priviledges &^c. w"^ ofler you sent unto me, and I
acquainting His Ma''" with it, he was pleased to referre it unto the consideracou of the company
of Virginea liere, to whom he had fonnerlie given all power by Jiis Lres Patenttes to admitt or
exclude whom they pleased in that plantacon. And thereupon the company were contented to
receive them upon certaine condicons, w""'' I sent unto yow to impart unto them. S}mce that
tyme I heard nothing of it nor medled in it. If yo'' T^opp have had any further order to treat
with the States about it, I would be verie glad to imderstand it by yo'' next letter.

And soe w"' m^- best wishes for yo'' health and welfare, 1 rest

Vo'' Lopp* aflectionate
S' Martins Linu^ ] friend to do 3-011 service,

7. Feb''. ]6i21. \ For Yo'' Lopp. Geo. Calvert.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. H

S'' Dudley Carhton to Secretary Calvert. Extract.

[Stiite Paiii-r Office; Holland, ICii. ]

" As. yet I have uo ansvveare to the complaint I made by order from my LI"** of the councoll
in His Ma'"" name, touching the new plautacon of the HoUauders in the North of Virginia, of
w^"" I gave their LI?' an accoimt by letters I sent y" Hon"' with my last dispatch ; but I find they
have the business in hand before the States of Holland which are now assembled. "
So humbly take my leave. Hagh the Q"" of March 1621.

Your H"

most faythfuUy to be
comaunded,

Dudley Carleton.
For \- H'.

Order prohibiting cdlpersons to report to Hew England contrarie to His Majeisty''s Grant.

[Privy Council Kegister, Jac I., E. V. 493.]

At Whitehall the 23 of October 1622.

Present. — Lo. Archbp. of Cant. Lo. Vise. Grandison

Lo. Treasurer Lo. Carewe

Lo. President M" Treasurer

Lo. Privie Seale M"" Comptroler

Lo. Steward M'" Sec*' Calvert

Lo. Marquisse Hamilton M"" Ch'' of y* Exch''

E. INIarshall . W of the Roles

E. of Kellie Sir Ed\,"ard Conwey

The Councill forthe affaires of New England presentinge their humble petition tliis day unto
the Board and shewing that whereas his 31a'''' \iy his Letters patents hath been pleased to
gi'aunt mito them the managing of the affairs of New England, prohibiting all other liis subjects
not adventurers or Planters to frequent tliose coasts, and that lettei-s were written from the
Board to severall Townes of the west partes of the Kingdome to conforme themselves unto his
Ma"'* said Royall Gramit, neverthelesse, sundrie iiTegular persons, ( contrarie to the teuor of the
said letters patents, and the said letters written from the Board. ) have this last yeare sent and
gone unto those parts, and dispossessed some of tlie shipps and Planters of their proper places,
and committed other outrages tending to the hinderance and greate prejudice of the Plantation,
as in their said petition more at large is expressed. L'pon this their information it was this day
ordered by their Lordshipps that M'' Attorney General should make readie a proclamation fitt
forhis Ma''" Signature, prohibiting all persons to resort unto the coasts of New England contrarie
to his Ma''" said Royall grant.

X2 NEW-YOHK rOLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order for the appearanee before II. M. Council of the Capt. of a Dutch Ship.

\ Privy Council Register, 1623 - 1625, 616. ]

At Wliitehall the 2S of Januarie 1624.

Present. — Lo. Archbip. Lo. Chichester

Lo. President ' M'' Treasurer

Lo. Vic Graiidison, - M'' Sec'' Conway

Lo. Carewe

A letter directed to Sir Juliti Elijot hiigJtt, vice admiraU of Devon, The Mayor of Plymouth,

S'' Ferdinando Gorges, Sec,

Whereas wee have received information that there is now a Dutch shipp ryding in the haven
at Plymouth called the Orange Tree of Amsterdam, being of the burthen of one hundred and
fifty tunes, or thereabouts, and bound to a place in America wliich is comprehended in a gi'ant
made by his Ma"^ upon just consideration to divers of his subjects. Wee do therefore hereby
will and require you to take order that the Cajjtaine or maister of the said shipp be presently
sent up hither with his commission and the plat which he hath, that upon his appearance and
hearing, and examining the cause wee may determine what wee shall further thinke fitt to bee
done. And wee doe likewise will and require you to make stay of the shipp untill you shall
receive other directions. And, &:c. &c.

Order giving the Dutch West India, Comjyany the henefit of the Treaty of Southamp)ton.

\ rrivj- Council Keeisler, C. R. I. IH. 127. )

At Whitehall S"- of September 1627.

Present. — Lo. Keeper Ea. of Kelly

Lo. Treasurer M"' Sec>' Coke

Lo. President ' W Ch' of y E.V

E. of Dorset M"- Ch"- of y' Dutchy.

Whereas the companie of the West Indies in the united Provinces hath made humble suite
unto his Ma"= that their shipps employed thither either in trade of merchandize or on warfare
for the weakening of the common enemy, might quietly pasjs on their intended voyages, both
outward and homeward bomid, without any molestation, stay, or hinderance by his Ma''" own
shipps or those of his subjects employed with 1" of marque to the southwards or elsewhere. It
pleased his Ma"^ thereupon to declare that liis Koyall will and pleasure is, the said West India
Companie, their Cap" Masters, Mariners, shipps, and prizes, by them taken or to be taken
hereafter uponthe said enemy, and all their goods and other things whatsoever to them belonging,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 18

shall have free ingresse, egresse, and regresse into and out of all his xMa«" ports, havens, roads,
and creekes as by the Articles of the Treaty made at Southampton the 7«» of September 1G25
more at large appeareth, viz' : . „ , ^

15 That the ports shall be open, and free for the subjects of both parties, as well mercaants,
as men of Warre, to pursue and take their enemies in any place of each others territories,
respectively, and to carry them away, paying the customs and duties and observing the Lawes

of the place. , , ,, , /^ ^ i ^

16. If the merchants shipps belonging to the subjects of either side shall be forced by tempest,
pursuits of Pirates, or anie other casualtie to take shelter in anie of the ports belonging to his
Ma«^ or the States, respectively, that they shall depart at their pleasure, without being
constrained to land, sell, or barter their commodities, or pay anie customs for them.

17 The Cap"" of shipps of warre of either p'^^ sent to sea with private commissions may
likewise securely bring into the Ports & Roades of either p«^ respectively. And carry away
such prizes as they shall take from the common enemie, without giving anie notice or paying
anie customs to the officers of the place (provided that they show their commissions if they be

'' ir That all wracks happening upon the coasts of his ma«^e or the States, respectively may
be claymed within a yeare by the owners, ortheir assigns, and shall be restored without anie
suite pavin according to the customes and duties of the places.

19 That all suites arising betxvixt the subjects of either parties, upon these, or the hke
occasions, shall hdfe'e summarie proceeding. t. •, • e

23 That ther Jhall be afreedome of Trade and Commerce in the Kmgdome or Territories of
v= Allies, and of Princes or friends newtrall without interruption.

^ .4 That v= subjects of his Ma- or the States, may furnish themselves m each others
co^nirie, wHii all manner of muntions of armes cordage, sayles, and victuals for the provision
nf their c^binns not paving anie greater price for the same than the natives.
''^S^^LL.Xn, every clause and point therein contayned or ame other mentioned
in the said Tfeatie. Itis his Ma- express will and pleasure, shall be pmictual y obsen-ed

ept and fulfilled by his ministers and officers. And he doth therefore hereby will and
Ltiiand all AdmiraL, .^ce Admiralls, Cap'", or Commanders of his castles or forts. Judges
Zls Sheriffs, Baliffs, Constables, &c. Cap"" and Masters of his shipps at -a, and of U^ose
; ;;;jects emp^ed on warfare, or with Le.^ of Marque, and all ^^^^.^
Ministers and lo^dng subjects, whome in anie sorte it may concerne, to see this hi Pimcely
D lararion and pleasure carefully, truly, and diligently put in execution, as they tendei' Ins-
R X"aL will answer tL contrary at their perills. An. ^^Z^ZlZ
saidcompanie be treated ^^ith that respect and courtesie as is fitting to ^^^^^^-^/^ ^^^^ ^

ubiects of a state with whome his Ma''^ is in firm and ancient amitie : ^^^^^^^^ 'f ''^'
"id companie, or those whom they do or shall employ, carrie themselves as they ought to doe.
and not abuse this his Ma''" Royall favor.

14

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRirXS.

Commissio'ii from Govern'' Pott to TF'" Clmjborne.

[Virginia. II. 132.]

By the Govern'' and Captaine
Generall of Virginia

To ALL to wliome these psents shall come, I John Pott

Esq. Goveruo'' and Captaine Generall of Virginia send

Greeting in pur Lord God Everlasting. Whereas there

reniaine dyvers places and partes of this kingdome of

Virginia not yett discovered since the heginning of this

Colony, hy the search and discovery whereof the boundes

and lymittes of this plantacon may be farr augmented and

such other comodities found out as may bee for the

benefitt and good of tlie people inhabiting the same.

Now know yee that I the said John Pott, out of the

good opinion I conceive of the sufficiency and experience of WiUiam Clayborne Esq"" who

intendeth this somer to imploy himselfe w"' a sufficient company of men, a shipp, and other

necessary provisions requisite for such a voyage to discover the partes & territories of this

Colony scituate and lying to the Southward of this place, as alsoe of some.pticuler places to the

Northward and in the Bay of Chesepeiacke; and greatly favouring the Psecution of such

enterprises, tending soe much to the inlardgm' and welfare of this Colony, doe by these Psents

give full power and authority unto him the said William Claybonie to goe ai^ make his

voyage and saile into any the rp'ers creekes portes and liavens witliin the said Baj' of Chesepeiacke

or into any other part or partes of this country within the degrees of 34: and 41, and tliere

to trade and trucke with tlie Indians for furres skins corne or any other comodities of what

nature or quality soever tliey bee. Willing and requiring him the said William Clayborne w"' all

diligence and circumspeccon to be carefuU in the guard of himselfe and company against the

treacherous plotts of the salvages that soe such as bee our enemies may bee prevented in

any evill w"^'' they sliall imagine or practize, and*uch of them as remaine and bee in tennes of

amytie and freindshipp receave noe just cause of distast or wrong. And for the better mannadging

and execution oi' all matters and occuiTences and repressing of all disorders and mutinies incident

and happening in his said voyage ; I doe hereby give and graunt unto the said William

Clayborne full power and authority to govenie correct and puuishe such of his said company as

shall in any wise bee delinquent or obstinate to his authority and command, according to the

lawes and customes of the seas and as hee in his best discretion shall think fitt, life only excepted.

By these psentes willing and requiring all and every pson & psons accompanying him in this

his said voyage, willingly and readily to obey and execute to their best power all such

commands and direccons as they sliall at any time receive or bee required to doe by the said

William Clayborne. And this Commission shall continew in force for and durhig the temie of

six monethes next after the date hereof. Gyven at James Citty under my hand and the Scale

of the Colony the thirteenth daie of March in the fourth yeare of the raigne of o"' Soveraigno

Lord King Charles of England &■■ Annoque Domini 1628.

(Signed) John Pott.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 15

Commis-non from Governor Harvey to W"' Clmjhoriie.

[ Virginia Papers, 75 B. 130. ]

To all to ichom these presents shall come,

I. Sir John Harvey, Knight, Govemor and Captain General of Virginia, send Greeting
in our Lord God Everlasting. Whereas my trusty and well beloved friend William Cleybonie,
Esquire, and one of the Council of State fortius Colony, hath desired for increase of trade, to
obtain this my commission to sail and trailick into the adjoining plantations of the Dutch, seated
upon this teiTitory of America ; which may tend to an international benefit, wherein we may
be useful to one another: Now Know Ye, that I, the said Sir John Harvey, out of the good
opinion I conceive of the discretion and understanding of the said Captain Wilham Cleybome,
do, by these presents, with the consent of the Council of State, authorize him, with the
first convenience of wind and weather, to set sayle from hence in such barques and pinnaces,
and with such companies of men as shall willingly accompauie him to go into the said
Plantations of the Dutch, or into any English plantation, or to such other harbors, rivers,
and places, as he shall find occasions, praying all Governors Captains and Commanders to
afford liim and them all lawful favor and respect, they behaving themselves fairly and honestly
in all things : Giving, and by these presents granting unto liim, tlie said Captain William
Cleybome, full power and authority to direct and govern such persons as sliall accompany him
in his said voyage.

Given at James City, the S"" of March, A. D. after the computation of the Church of England,
1631, and in the five and twentieth year of this southern colony of Virginia.

John Harvey.

Grant of Trading Privilege to Cajf Clayhorne.

[ Virginia. H. 151. ]

Charles R.
Charles by the grace of God King of England Scottland Fraunce and Ireland Defender of y
Faith &c. Whereas our trustie and welbeloved William Clayboume one of y'^ councell and
Secretary of State for our Colony of Virginia and some other adventurers with him have
condescended with our trustie and welbeloved Councellor of both the kingdomes Sir Will™
Allexander Kn' our Principal Secretary for oiu* kingdome of Scotland, and others of our loveing
subjects whoe have charge over our Colonies of New England and New Scotland, to keejie a
course for interchange of trade among them as they shall have occasion, as allso to make
discovery for increase of trade in those parts ; and because wee doe very much approve of all
such worthie intencons and are desireous to give good incouragem' to their proceedinges therein,
being for the releeife and comfort of those our subjects and inlargm" of our dominions, these are
to licence and authorize y* said William Clayboume his associates and company freely w"'out

Xg NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

interrupcon from time to time, to trade and traffique for come furres or any otlier commodities
wliatsoever w"" their sliipps men boates and merchandize in all seas coastes rivers creekes
harbours lands and territories in neere or about those partes of America, for wliich there is not
allready a I'atent graunted to others for sole trade ; and to that effect Wee require and command
you and every one of yon pticularly our trusty and welbeloved Sir John Harvey Kn' Governour
and y"" rest of our Councell of and for our Colonic of Virginia to pmitt and sufleir him and them
w"" their said shipps, boates, merchaundizes, cattell, mariners, servauntes and such as shall
w'illinglie accompany or bee imployed by them from time to time freely to repaire and trade to
and agen in all y^ aforesaid partes and places, as they shall thinke litt and their occasions shall
require, without any stopp arrest search hindrance or molestacon whatsoever, as yow and every
of yow will answer the contrary at yo"" perilles ; giveing and by these presentes graunting unto the
said W" Claybounie full power to direct and govenre correct and punish such of our subjects as
shall bee under his command in his voj^ages and discoveryes, and for soe doing these psentes
shalbee a sufficient warrant. Given at our Mannour of East Greenwiche the IG"" day of May
in y^ seventh yeare of our raigne 1(>U.

To our trusty and welbeloved our Gov''nor and Coinicell of
\^irginia and to all our I^ieutenants of Provinces and
countries in America, Gov''nors and others haveing any
u charge of Colonies of any of our subjects, and to all

Cap'' & Masters of shipps and generally to all our subjects
whatsoever whoine these psents doe or may concerne.

Cap' Mason to [ M'' Secretary Cohe ? ]

[Trade Papers, State Paper Office, X. 1. ]

Right Honorable

In y'' yeare of o' Lord God 1621. or thereabouts certaine Hollanders were upon the coast of
New England trading w* y^ Indians betwixt Cape Codd and Bay de la Warre in 40. degrees of
Northerly latitude, being a parte of that country which was granted to Sir Walter Rawleigh by
Queene Elizabeth in Anno 15S4. and ai'terwards to diverse of her subjects under y'^ title of
Virginia ; wiiich countrey was divided by agreement of y'' Virginia company and the North
East parte thereof confirmed afterward by King James in Anno IGOG to y" President and
Counsell for y' Plantations there, which have beene settled in Virginia on y" one hand to the
Westwards, now about fbrtie yeares ; and in New England on the other hand to y"" Eastward
above 20 yeares since. The sayd Hollanders as Interlopers fell into y^ middle betwixt the sayd
plantacons, and at their returne of their voyage aibresayd, published a Rlapp in y* Low
Countries of y'' sayd sea coaste comphended betwixt Mrginia and Cape Codd, und"' y^ tytle of
New Netherlands, giving y'" name of y"" Prince of Aurange to y'' countrie and river of Manahata,
where y" Dutch are now planted, (W"'' sayd countrey was many yeares before discovered by the
Englisiinien in their voyages to Virginia) and giveing otlier Dutch names to other places to y'

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 17

Eastward of y' sayd Manaliata river as farr as Cape Codd : all w^" had beene formerly
discovered and traded unto diverse tymes by seVall Englishmen, as may be proved. And S'
Samuell Argall Kn' w"" many English planters were ppareing to goe and sitt downe in his lott of
land upon y= sayd Manahata river at the same tyme when the Dutch intruded, w"^*" caused a
Demurre in their pceding untill King James, upon complaint of my Lord oi' Arandell w"" S'
Ferdinando Gorges Kn' and the said S-" Samuell Argall (fonn'-ly GoV of Virginia) and Cap'
John Mason) of y^ sayd Dutch Intruders in An" 1G21 had, by his Ma"« order a IrS
Those Ires of y. *„ ye Lgj-d of Dorchester their Ambassado'' at y"" Hague, questioned the States of

Lords do bearp ^\j j j^^ ^ o x

DecembViVi^ y" Low Countries for that matter. Which y'' Lords y^ States by answer (as I
take it) of their ambassado-' Sir Nowell Carronne did disclayme, disavowing any
such act that was done by their people w'" their authority: w-^"- my Lord of Anindell and I
thinke y* Lord Baltimore (then Secretary of State) doe remember, and S' Ferdinando Gorges
and Captaine Mason can witnesse y" same. Neverthelesse y^ yeare following, W^"" (as I take it)
was 1622, the sayd Dutch under a pretended authority from y« West India Company of Holland,
maintajnied as they sayd by commission from y^ said Prince of Aurange did returne to y<= foresayd
river of Manahata and made plantation there, fortifying themselves there in two severall places,
and have built shipps there, whereof one was sent into Holland of 600 tunnes or thereabouts.
And albeit they were warned by y^ English plantation at New Plymmouth to forbeare trade and
not to make any settlement in those partes, letting them know that they were the territories of y«
King of England, yett nevertheless with proude and contumacious answers ( saying they had
commission to fight against such as should distui-be their settlement ) they did persist to plant and
trade, vilefying o'^ Nation to the Indians and extolling their owne people and countrye of Holland,
and have made sundry good returnes of commodities from thence into Holland ; especially this
yeare they have returned ( as it is reported ) 15000 Beaver Skpnies, besides other commodities.
Aprill 2 ) Yo"' Ho" humble Servant

1632 3 ( signed ) Jhon Mason.

(Indorsed by Sir John Coke, Sec-^ of State)

" Cap : Mason concerning

" the Hollanders in Virginia."

Sir Ferdinando Gorges to Cap'' 3Iason about an Expedition on the Dutch.

[Trade Papers, State Paper Office. X. 2.]

Sir

On Thursday night I receaved yours of the SO"- of March, by w'^'' I understand howe you
have pceeded against those of the Dutch plantacon. I am glade the business is before the Lords.
I hope they will not bee over hasty in concluding a busines of that nature, considering howe
much it concemes both the honor of the Kinge and State to make good the interest they have ^
therein. You shalbee assured I will not ptract any time of my coming upp, butt I must acquaint
you with an unhappy accident that befell mee the same day I receaved yours. For haveing
bene w* my Lord Pawlett and divers others of my private friends att a horse race, I tooke a
Vol. m. 3

18 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

fall from my horse, and am now in soe much extremetie of paine, as I am not able to move or
stirr, but as I am helped by maine strength of my s''vauntes ; notw"'standing, by Gods favo"' I
hope to bee w"" you in very shorte time, what shifte soever I make to travell. I am soiy to heere
you are soe poorely seconded in a matter soe just and hon^''". I conceive you may have from
M' Shirly a coppy of that w'^'' came to my hands from those of New Plymouth, w"" moi-e
pticulers than came to mee. Itt may please you that hee may bee spoken w"" about it. I doubt
not but att my corainge, I shalbee able to give both his Ma'"'' and the Lords sufficient satisfaccon
for to fortifie the justefyinge (not the stay of the shipp onely) but to prosecute their displanting
from thence. And that w'^'' is now to bee desired is, that wee may bee heard to speake before
ought bee done for the shipps dispatch. I hope you vidll make some shifte to sende away the
horses I sent you before the receipte of JVP Eyres to the contrary for I knowe they wilbee of
more service and worth then any you vdll serve yom- selves w"'all att the Islands : besides heere
is noe shipping that goes from hence till towards the winter quarter ; but what you doe
betweene you, shall please mee, thoughe I desire extreamely they may goe att this present,
thoughe it were wholly on my owne accompte for their transportacon w"" the horses. Lett this
suffice I pray you for this present, for that my paine will suffer mee to say noe more att this
time, save only I beseech you to remember my humble service to my Lord Marshall and to lett
his bono"' knowe the misfortune that retapies mee from attending His Lopp : soe soone as my
harte desires, and soe much you may bee pleased to lett my Lord of Warwick knowe in like
manner, w"" the remembrance of my service to his Lopp. beseeching him not to bee slacke
wherein you knowe his helpe may further the best wee shall gaine thereby wilbee the
knowledge of what may bee expected from him hereafter ; and so I comitt you to God and rest

Yo"' assured loveing friend

Bristoll the ()"■ ^ (Signed) Ferd. Gorges.

Aprill 1632. J

To his assured loveing freind
Captaine John Mason att his
house att Debtford. psent theise.

Omdter of TxoiUer Oov" of Neiv Netherlands to the Gov"" of New England.

[Trade Papers, State Paper Offlce. X. 83. ]

Sir

That which you alleadge concerning the use of the River w'^'' you instance the Kinge of
England hath graunted to his subjects and therefore itt seemes strange unto yow that wee
have taken possession thereof; It seemes very stratmge unto mee, who for my owne paret
coulde wdshe that his Ma"' of England and the Lords of the States Generall concemeing the
limitts and parting of theis quarters, would agi-ee. And as good neighbors wee might live in
these heathenishe countryes. And therefore I desire yow soe longe to deferr yo' ptence or
claim of the said River untill the Kinge of England and our superior Magistrates or govemours
bee (as concemeing the same) agreed. I have in the name of the Lords the States Generall and
the authorized West India Company taken possession of the forementioned River, and for
testimony thereof have sett upp an bowse on the North side of the said River, with intent to

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 19

plant &c. Itt's not the intent of the States to take the land from the poore Natives, as the
Kinge of Spaine hath done by the Pope's Donation, but rather to take itt from the said Natives
att some reasonable and convenient price, w'='' God be praysed wee have done hitherto. In this
parte of the world are divers heathen lands that are eraptye of inhabitants, soe that of a litle
parte or portion thereof there needes not any question. J should bee very sorrye that wee
should bee occation that the Kinges Ma"* of England and the Lords the States Generall should
fall into anye contention. Wherewith ending, I comitt you w"" yo' wholl family unto the
protection of Almightye God, being and restinge

Yo' true freinde

Gaulter of Taviller.
Written in the Fort Amsterdam
in New Netherland 4 October
new Stj'le 1633.

This letter was sent from the Govenio' of the
Dutch Plantation to the Govemo'of the Englishe
CoUonye att the Massachusetts Baye, and
there translated out of Dutch ; whereof this is the coppie.

The Privy Ccnmcil to the Earl of Portland.

L Pri-V7 CouncU Keg. Chas. I. X. 494. ]

At Whitehall the 20"" of March 1034

Present. — Lord Arch Bp. of Canterbury his Grace

Lo. Keeper Lo. Cottington

Lo. Arch Bp. of York Lo. Newburgh

Lo. Privie Seale M'^ Trer''

Lo. Vise' Wimb : M'' Sec. Windebank.

A Ire to the Earle of Portland.
Whereas we are informed that there lyeth now a ship of Holland of foure hundreth tuns, at the
Cowes, bound for the Hollanders plantation in Hudson's River, the Officers of which ship seeke
to drawe as many of His Majest^ subjectes as they can to goe w"" them, by offi-ing them large
conditions. For the preventing of so prejudicial! a course wee have therefore thought fit
hereby to pray and require your Lp. to take speedy and eiiectuall order that all the English as
well in that ship lying there at this tynie as in any other that shall hereafter come thither or into
any of His Ma" portes within your jurisdiction may be stayed and none of His Ma'* subjects
suffered to serve any foreine Prince or State without licence from His Ma'^' or this Board ; w''''
wee earnestly recommend to your Lp' especiall care. And soe &c. (Signed)

Lo. Archb. of Cant. Lo. Chamb. of H M' Household

Lo. Keeper Lo. Vise Wimbledon

Lo. Arch Bp of Yorke Lo. Cottington

Lo. High. Chamb. M' Trer,

M"' Secretarie Windebanke.

20 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

J/'' Jerome Haivley to M'' Sec. Windehanlce.

[Trade Papers, State Paper Office. XIII. 4]

Right Hon""

Uppon the 20th of March last I took the boulduess to psent you w"" my letters, wherein I
gave only a tuch of the business of our Assembly, referring yo"' Hono"^ to the generall letters
sent by W Kemp from the Govern"' and Councell. Since w'='" tjnne heare aiTived a Dutch shipp
w"> comission from the yong Queene of Sweaden and signed by eight of the Cheife Lordes
of Sweden, the coppe whereof I would have taken to send to yo'' Hono" but the Captayne would
not pmitt me to take any coppe thereof, except hee might have free trade for tobacco to carry to
Sweaden, w'"" being contrary to his Ma'^ instructions, the Govern"' excused himselfe therof.
The shipp remayned heare about 10 dayes to refresh w"" wood and water, during w"^"" tyme
the W of the said shipp made knowne that bothe himselfe and another shipp of his company
were bound for Delaware Baye, w'''" is the confines of Virginea and New England, and there
they ptend to make a plantation and to plant tobacco, w"^"" the Dutch do allso already in
Hudsons River, w"^"" is the veiy next river Northard from Delaware Baye. All W^*" being His
Ma'* territorys, I humbly offer the consideration thereof unto yo"" Hono"' and yf His Ma'"'' shalbe
pleased to thinke uppon any course either for removing them and pventing othei-s from seating
upon His Ma'" terretorys, I humbly conceive it may be done by his Rla'* subjects of these parts
making use only of some English ships that resort heather for trade yearly, and be no charge
at all to His Ma'^

I am not yet able to give yo"" Hono"" so good an accompt of the estate of His Ma"'' revenewe
heare as I desire, in regard it was late in the yeare before I arrived, and the business of our
Assembly hathe taken up all my tynie hetherto, but by the next retume of shipping I shall
endeavor to bring things into better order then heretofore the_y have bein, and by that tyme I
hoape to make it appeare that yo"' hono"' hathe done His Ma'"^ service in giveing him notice of the
estate of his revenue in these parts ; w"^"" although I cannot now saye it wilbe great, j'et I psume
it is so farr considerable as that His Ma"'' will not thinke it fitt to be lost : for I doubt not but it
will serve to defray the pention w"^*" His Ma"" is pleased to allowe the Govern"' yearly, w"^"" is
i£1000 pr ann : yf His Ma'" be pleased to implo3'e itt that waye, and I hoape to improve it dayly,
as new comers doe encrease the plantation, besides His Ma" customes from hence wilbe much
better understood then heretofore they have bein.

Since my coming to the place of Treasurer, I have decerned some under hand oppositions
made against me, but littell hathe appeared in publick, therefore I can not particularly laye it to
any man's charge. And because I tinde that it chiefly aymes at the hindering me in making any
benefitte of my place ( whereof I assure yo"' Hono"^ I have not yet made the value of five pound
towards my charges ) I doe therfore make it my humble sute unto yo"' Hono'' that you wilbe
pleased to move the King in my behalfe and pcuer His Ma" warrant for my fees, to the effect of
this I send enclosed, w""" being added to yo" former favom-s, will much encrease my obligations
to yo"' Hono"' and I shall still remayne

Yo"' Hono"'s much devoted servant

James Towne in ) Jerom H.vwley.

■Virginia, 8 May 1G3S \

To the Right Hon''"- S-" Francis
■Windebanke K' Princepall
Secretary to his Ma'" : — p"'sent these.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 21

[ Inclosed is the draft of a warrant from the King granting to Jerome Hawley Treasurer of
Virginia power to appoint deputies for viewing tobacco and to receive as his lawful fee, " one
" pound of tobacco for each himdred weight of tobacco so viewed by him or by his deputy or
" deputys. " ]

Conveyance of lands on Long Island by James Farret Deputy of the
Earl of Stirling.

[ New-Tork papers, in. A. 26, 27. ]

Know all men whom this present writing may concern that I, James Farret of Long Island
Gent : Deputy to the Right Hon**'* the Earle of Stirling Secretarie for the Kingdom of Scotland
do by these presents in the name and behalf of the said Earle of Stirling and in my own name
as doth or may concerne myself give up all Rights, Titles, Claims and Demands of and from all
Patent Right, of all those lands lying and being bounded between Peacooeck and the eastermost
point of long Island with the whole breadth of the said Island from sea to sea with all lands and
premises contained within the said limits, excepting those lands already granted unto any
person by me, the said Farrett under my hand and seale unto Edward Howell, Daniel How,
Job Sayer, and their associates heires and successors both now and for ever against the claymes
of any person or pei'sons whatsoever clayming by from or under the said Earle of Starling, and
do in His Lop' name and in my o\vn name as it doth concerne myself in consideration of Barge
Hire besides they being drove off by the Dutch from the place where they were by me planted
to their great damage by and with a competent summe of money in hand paid before the
sealing and delivering of these presents all amounting unto four hmidred poiuids sterls the
Receipt thereof and of every part thereof I acknowledge by these presents, doe acquit discharge
and exonerate the said Edward Howell Daniel How Job Sayer and their associates Heires and
successors for ever gi\ang up unto the said parties Heires successors as absolute a right title and
propriety as the said Earle received of the Corporation for new England incorporated by King
James, the eighteenth year of His Reign over England Scotland F'rance and Ireland And that I
the said James Farrett having myself full power to make over the Patent all or part in his Lop'
name and for his Lop' use by vertue of my letters of Attorney bearing date 1G37 by vertue of
which Agencie I have made a sale of the same for his Lop' use received the summe aforesaid of
the said Edward Howell Daniel How Job Sayer and their Associates and that the same parties
Heires and successors have as absolute power to erect wholesome laws and ordinances among
themselves as the Earle of Starling had conveyed to him by the Corporation aforesaid, the said
Edward Howell Daniel Howe Job Sayer and Successors owing Allegiance to the Crown of
England and paying the fith part of gold and silver ore to His Majesty with what Royalties
belongeth to the said Corporation their Heires and Successors shall be likewise paid upon demand
as is exprest in his Lop' Patent. Lastly I promise in His Lop' name that his Lop His Heires
and sucessors shall maintaine the said Edward Howell Daniel Howe Job Sayer their Heires and

22 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

successors in the peaceable enjoyment of the premises against all persons whatsoever In witnesse
hereof I have heremito set my hand and seale the IS"' of June 1639.

James Farrett.
Witnesse Mathew Suxderland
Rob' Sinckly

niarke

TiioM : T Cooper

his

1 A true Copie compared
< Henry Pearson, Reg'
( May the G"- 1671

Lord Sterling's Confirmation of the sale of Long Lsland.

[New England, I. 63.]

I William Earle of Sterline doe make knowne to all men to whom it doth or may conceme,
that whereas James Farret Gent, my lawfull Agent upon Long Island &c in America hath
disposed by sale of divers lands in my name and for my use upon the said Island and Islands
adjacent within my pattent according to the power given him by myselfe Aprill 1637. unto
Edward Howell, Daniel Howe, and their heires and successours for ever as from Peaconnet
to y* eastemrost poynte of y* said Long Island ; and imto John Thomas and Edward Farington
and successively to the longest liver of them and to his heires and assignes for ever ; and
unto Mathew Sunderland and his heires and assignes for ever : I say whatsoever bargains
contract and conclusion the above named parties (for themselves heires and assignes for
ever) have made w"" M'' Faret, according to the custome of New England, I the said W" Earle
of Sterline ratifie and hold of value in law ; and doe upon the request of my said Agent James
Faret by these presentes bind my selfe heires and assignes to doe any further act or thing
whereby or wherewith y* titles of y" above named parties (viz') Howell, How, Farringtones,
Sunderland, and their heires and successo" for ever, may be strengthened, w'"" they have under
the hand and seale of my foresaid Agent James Farret, of w"^"" I am by him fully satisfied ; and
that he hath in full satisfaction for the said lands for my use received a competent sum of money,
in consideracon of w'''' money I doe acquitt all right, title, interest and demand of and to y*- s*"
lands and patent right for ever. Witness my hand and seale this twentieth day of August,

one thousand six hundred thirty-nine.

( Signed ) Sterline.

In the presence of
James Ramsey
John Johnson.
Vera Copia.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 23".

A DeGlaration shewing the illegality and unlawfull proceedings of the Patent of

Maryland.

[Virginia, II. 133.]

In the yeare 1607. divers preceding discoveryes haveing confirmed an opinion that the Countrie
of Virginia was fitt for plantation, it pleased God to afiect tlie minds of verie mauie vporthiely
disposed noblemen gentlemen and others, to conceave it as a matter of gi-eat religion and honor
to undertake the worke of perfecting a Christian plantation in those parts ; whei'eupon King
James was pleased to become the first fomider of this noble work, and by his Letters Pattents
from time to time renewed and enlarged, granted all ample privileges & immunities both to those
that mannaged the business in England and to those that went to inhabite there : which gave soe
great an incouragement that 50 Earles and Barons 350 Knights and GOO gentlemen and
merchants of primest ranks became incorporated and were originally named in the Letters
Pattents by the name of The Compq^ny of Virginia, being a greater union of nobles and commons
than ever concurred in that Idngdome to such an undertaking. But neverthelesse partly by
the naturall difficultyes incident to all new plantations, but chiefly through the unnaturall and
faulty impediments arising by the crosse agitations of two powerfull factions in the Company, the
worke went heavely on for the first 12 yeares, appearing desperat m the severall ill successes
thereof. And though afterwards some what advanced and prosperous, yett in the yeare 1621. by
the fatall blow of a massaker, it was almost shattered to pieces and brought to a calamitous
condition ; which occasion, the contrarie faction presently tooke hold of, in soe much that they
exceedingly scandalized action, and cared not to cast an aspersion on the countrie and on the
whole managem' by that affaire ; and then strongly possessed and advised the then Kinge
against the tbrme of the Companyes government as consisting of an excessive number of
Counsellers and a confused popularity, as being a nurse of parliamentary spirits and obnoxious
to monarchicall govemm'. Hereupon an order was made the S"" October 162-3 at the Counsell
Table, whereby the Company were moved to give their assents for surrending their Pattent and
altering their forme of goverment, and a new one was proposed wherein the right and interests
of all men should be preserved, w"^'' order the Company not submitting unto, a Quo Warranto
was directed for the calling in of their Pattent and an advantage being taken upon their
mispleading, the Pattent was condemned in Trinity Tenne following but for manie yeares after
noe judgment entered, and to this time not vacated upon the Record of the Office of the Rolls,
whereby some tliat sought the overthrow of the Lord Baltimores pattent for Maryland in the
begining of the parlament in Anno 1640 tooke out the Virginia Pattent againe under the Broad
l^eale of England ; tlierefore thought by prime lawyers now to be unquestionably in force, and
that of Maiyland inconsistent and void. Thus in breife was the late Company dissolved and a
comission given to divers Lords and others for present direction and ordering the affaires of
Virginia, and that they should advise touching a better fonne of government for advansing &
establishing the Colony. Then issued also severall proclamations and severall orders of the
Counsell Table, w"" great asshurances under the Broad Scale and Privy Seale that all men w"" the
Adventurers and Planters should be asshured that theire rights and interests should be conserved
and enlarged, onely alteration made in point of goverment ; but both that comission and the
renewing of the Companyes charter expired, and all those proceedinges were delayed by reason of
the death of King James, w"^ then suddenly ensued. The principall scope of that Comission
was, that they should found a better forme of goverment for the Plantations advancement, and

24 ne!V-york colonial manuscripts.

therein was especially promised the conservation of every man's right : intentions worthy the
wisdome of soe great a Prince. But nothinge was done by those Comissioners touchinge either
of those ends, nor by those whose prosecution these things liappined, who having attained theire
private ends of spleene and proffit, upon the changes and revolutions of enshuing times, deserted
the interest of the Colony and left her weltring in her bloud, unsupplied w"" amunition and
armes, in the heate of a difficult warr with the Indians, the burthen and charge whereof was
onely undergon by the remayning planters, who thus forsaken by her former friends, were
constrained both to fight and worke for their lives and subsistance, and thereby preserved the
Colony from desertion, and at last restored her to peace and plentie. And then about the yeare
1633 the Lord Baltimore pretending, though not truelie that the greatest part of the countrie was
unplanted, procured that the aforesaid judgement soe longe delayed was entered, and obtayned a
Pattent for that parte now called Maiyland w'=^ hee hath since held with a few people and small
adventurers, debarring tliose to whome it justlie belonged, from planting it destroying and
ruynatiug those fonnerlie seated under Virginia at the He of Kent, and interdicting traide w"*
the Indians for furrs, discovered and begun by them, w'^'" siwee by that meanes is injoyed by the
Sweeds and Dutch, and doth bring them in yearely mania thousand pounds, which trade mought
have bin solie in the English nations hands, had not the Lord of Baltimore interdicted it, seased
all vessells and displanted theire plantations ; w"^"" Sweeths and Dutch doe trade for great quantities
of gunns, powder and shot w"" our Indians, to the totall indangering this Colony if not timely
prevented. Such a grounde worke had the Pattent of Maryland upon the rightes and labors of
others & as unreasonable have been the wliole proceedings & management of theire Colony and
interests : at theire first arrivall surprizing and confiscating many vessells w"" the goods of divers
that they found trading w"" the natives imder the comissions of Virginia & professing an
establishment of the Romislrrelligion onely, they suppressed the poore protestants amongst them,
and carried on the whole frame of theire govennent in the Lord Proprietors name, all their
proceedings judicature tryalls and warrants in his name, power & dignity and from him onely ;
not the least mention of a King in all theire goverment, to that purpose forcedly imposing oathes
of fidelity & to mainetaine his regall jurisdictions and prorogatives & dominion, to protect cheifly
the Romane Catholiche religion in the free exercise thereof; and all done by yearelie instructions
from him out of England, as if hee had been absolute Prince and King. By all which it is
easily evident that the pattent of Maryland was gi-ounded on noe good foundation, the King
beeing misinformed, when in noe thinge more deeply and directlye could the honour and justice
of his throne be concerned then in conferming and conseniing the interest of soe great a
conjuncture of nobles knights and gentlemen, and merchants of primest ranch, who soe piously
and worthily adventured theire moneys and expended theire estates and paiues, whose rights and
interests though theire Pattent were called in for the time, yett had received the most soleme
declarations of asshurances under the Broad Scale and Privy Signette, orders of Counsell, letters
to the Colony and by generall proclamation there and here in England, that it were impious
to thincke that either the then Kinge or Kinge James, being rightlie informed, would ever have
granted such a pattent as this of Maryland is, being nere two third parts of the better territory
of Virginia, and as noe way consistent w"" equity and the honor and publique faith of the
kingdome, soe was no waie in the absolute and regall powers asshumed and executed by him,
agreeable to the late Monarchical! Government or the present authoritie of the Commune- Wealth
of England, and most injurious to the rights and interests of the noble Adventurers and the
paineful and indifaticable planters who had soe longe conserved her from totall mine.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I. 2|

A shorte and successive narration of the nioste of the afibrsaid publique assiu-ances followes,
viz'.

1. First by an order of the Counsell S Octoh. 1623 (before the Law Warrants) brought to
arme the mindes of the Adventurers and Planters against any mistaken feare and apprehension,
as if their estates should receive prejudice.

2. And whereas the Lords of the Counsell were informed that the intended change of
the goverment had begott a general! discouragment among the x\dventurers, notw"'standing
sundrie other declarations made at the Board viva voce, and that former act of Comisell, their
Lo^P^ were pleased by an order of the 20"" Octob. 1623 to declare againe that there was no other
intention, but onely and meerelie the reforming and change of y" present goverment and that no
man should receive any prejudice but have his estate fullie and whollie confermed, and if in
any thinge it were found defective, better to be secured. Which order by their Lopp' comand
was sent over and published in Virginia and theire Generall Assembly, for encouragment
of the Planters.

1624. 3. Kinge James was allso pleased to expresse the same in his couiission to sundry of
his owne Privy Counsell and other Comissioners for the time being, for the affayres of Virginia
IS"" July 1624 that his intention was to alter the Letters Patents as to the forme of goverment,
but w"" preservation of the interests of every Adventurer and Planter.

1624. 4. And the like declaration of the Kings intention was expressed in the comission
under the Broad Seale then sent to S"" Francis Wyatt and the Coimsell then appojTated by his
Ma''* to goveme and direct the affaires and people in Virginia ; and the like hath bin inserted
in all King Charles comissions that have bin given to all the Governors of Mrginia that have
been since that time to this present. Neither was there any alteration of the orders and
instructions formerly given by the Company for the govennent of the Colony, but rather a
confermation and approbation of them, that they stand in force to this dale ; soe that in no point
were they ever taxed for misgoverment.

1625. 5. Alsoe then King Charles hj his Proclamation. 13"' May anno 1° declared that
vid. Rym. Foed. ^^Js aime was oncly to reduce the govennent into such a right course as might best

agree w"' the forme held in the rest of his monarchy, and not intended to impeach
the interest of any Adventurer or Planter.

1625. 6. The Lords of the Counsell by their letters dated Octob. 24"' 1625. signify that the
Kings pleasure was to preserve every mans perticuler right and the Planters to injoye theire
former priviledges, w"' addition of other requisite immunities, encouraging also the Planters to
discoverj'es by sea and land and to perfect the trade of furrs. Which letter according to their
LoPP^ comand therein expressed, was published in Virginia for their encouragment.

162S. 7. The King also for the encom-agment of the Planters by his royal letters 12""
Septemb. 162S was pleased to promise thereby to renew and confenne unto the Colony, under
the Great Seale of England, theire lands and pri\aledges foimerly granted them.

1634. S. And when the Generall Assembly consistmg of the Governor Counsell and Biu-gesses
of the whole Colony complained to the Lords of the Counsell of the interuption of theire trade
by the Lord Baltimores Deputyes, their Lordshipes were pleased by theire letters of the 22""
July 1634. to signifie that the Plantation of Virginia should enjoy theire estates and trades with
the same freedomes & pri^-iledges as they did before the recalling of their pattent.

By all which it appeares that howsoever the goverment could not be reduced from that
popular forme of the Company in England but by revocation of tlie Patent itselfe ; yett in
Vol. IIL 4

26 NEW-YORK COLOx\IAL MANUSCRIPTS.

respect of both the Kings declarations and the Lords order, the Adventurers & Planters of
Virginia, as to theire rights and priviledges according to the rule of equitie, remaiue in the same
condition as if noe such judgment had bin given

Obj : But tiiey often answere hereunto to this effect, though not truely neither : — That the
Lord Baltimores Patent takes in noe part tliut the Virginians had then planted, and soe the
interest of all men is preserved, and that Maryland is noe other than as a perticuler plantation,
ds the Company used to grant to divers Adventurers and Planters, and that the Kinge might
doe as much as the Company while they stood.

Aus'' 1. Wee replie that the Adventurers and Planters were encom-aged to expend their
estates in soe vast a. proportion and to hazard theire lives in all extremityes, allwayes
accompanying new beginnings in hope that theire shares upon y^ division of the lands (being
200 miles along the seashore and into the land from sea to sea) would recompence them and
theire heires. This interest, by this Patent of the Lord of Baltimores, comprehending two
degrees w'^'' is sixscore miles, is wholly taken i'rom tliem, and scarce is their any roome for any
Adventiu-ers to take up any land due unto them.

2'*'>' All Adventurers of the Company were Tenants in connnon to all the land which was
not actually devided and sett out, and theire claime cannot justly be wipt out thus; and yett
theire interests sayed to be reserved

3diy That the Lord of Baltimore might have as large a proportion of land as ever was granted
to any by the Company ; but wee thincke agreeing to reason that hee should people it, and
either showe his right to it by the adventure of people sent over to plant it ; w'''' was by the
Company appopited to bee 50 acres to evrie person transported thither, or els to iiave soe-
manie shares of land as hee can showe right to, by the adventure of money in the old stocke.
Otherwise how unreasonable is it he should possess two third partes of tlie Bay of Virginia, w"''
maie truely be sayd to be as bigg as the Kingdome of Kngland & Scotland and yet now in
seventene yeares, have not more men there, except such as have gone from Virginia, then can or
doe plant three or fower hundred acres, and those cheifly imployed in tobacco, and the great
name of Marjdand is in efii^ct made but a factorie for trade, a nurseiy of Jesuites, and a barre to
keepe off other planters from the best and temperatest partes of the countrey, w'^ being further
remoate from the sea, and more nortlnvard, are tlioiiglit somewhat healthfidler than the lower
parts of Virginia.

4thiy ^Ygg g^y j,],.^^. j^^^pj. ^^,p^ j^.^^| discovered & brought the Indians of those partes of RIaryland
to a trade of corne and bever, by vertue of the Kings instructions under the Broad Seale w'*"
expence of our blonds and estates, and exercised annuall entercourse w"" them above eight and
twenlie yeares, how can it be said that our interests are preserved, when wee are interdicted the
trade, our vessells & goods seized, oixr persons imprisoned and men slaine, and the whole trade
assumed only to the Lord Baltimores use.

5'y Wee clearely claime right by possession, having planted the Isle of Kent almost three yeares
before ever the name of Maryland was heard of, & Burgesses for that place setting in tlie
Assemblyes of Virginia ; whereby it is evident that the Lord of Baltimores suggestion to tin;
King that tliose parts were uncultivated and unplanted, unlesse by barbarous people not having
knowledge of God, was a misinformation, and by it tiiat Patent appeares illegally gotten. And
if the Lord of Baltimore takes awaie those lands (w iio have also purchased the interest of the
natives, a right not inconsiderable) and seize theire goods, and that in an hostile manner, as hee
hath done, How can it be said those mens riglits and interests are preserved, they being the

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. ■■«-- g7

first discoverers of tliat Hand by vertue ol the Kings Comission and planted there under the
govennent of Virginia, on the confidence they apprehended froni the former asshurances, and
there begann in great parte the trade of furres, w-'' is now usurped liy the Dutcli & Sweeds, the
Lord Baltimore not beeiug able to manage it himselle.

How vmjust an intrusion then will the Lord of Baltimores patent appeare, w^'" overthrowes
the interest of soe many noblemen gentlemen and poore planters (for the Company of Virginia
were of a nature diversified from other Companyes) w'^'' if it had not been founded on soe good
grounds, yett theire zeale and pious indeavors to propagate the true Christian relligion, to enlarge
the English Dominions and to encrease the trade and strength of shipping and considerably the
customes, doth deserve justice w"" addition of a reward for soe lion''''' and good intentions.

1649.

Union between Connectiout and the tmcn of Emt Ilampto^i. <

[ New Eiiglan.i, 1. 96. ]

Hartford the S'' day of May 165S.

Whereas formerly some overtures have passed betwixt the Generall Court ol' Connecticutt
and some of the plantation of East Hampton upon Long Island concerning union into one body
and government, whereby the said towne might be interested in the generall combination of the
united Collonies ; and whereas the said tovrae of East Hampton was by the said Court
entertained and accepted at a session thereof on the seaventh day of November 1649. and have
after divers yeares of further consideration againe renewed their desires to bee under the said
Government of Connecticutt, and for prosecution and issuing thereof have by the major vote of
their said towne chosen and appointed Leiftenent Lyon Gardiner, Thomas Baker and John
Hand, and given them full power and authority from them and in their name to settle and
confinne them under the said Govenma'. It is concluded and agi-eed betweene the said
Jurisdiction of Connecticutt and the said parties, and the said towne of East Hampton doe by
their said Deputies for themselves and their successo" associate and joyne themselves to the
jurisdiction of Connecticutt to bee subject to all the lawes there established, according to the
Word of God and right reason, w"» such exceptions and limitations as are hereafter expressed.

The townie of East Hampton, by reason of their passage by sea, being under moi'e difficulties
and uncertaintyes of repairing to the severall Courts held for the jmisdiction of Connecticutt
upon the maine land whereby they may bee constrained to bee absent both at the times of election
of Magistrates and other occasions, w"^"" may prove prejudiciall to them ; for preventing whereof
it is agreed for the present untill more plantations bee settled neare the towne of East Hampton
w* may be helpfuU eacli to other in publicke occasions and that by mutualLagi-eem' betwixt the
said townes and the Generall Court for the jurisdiction of Connecticutt it bee otherwise ordered,
there shall bee yearly chosen two Magistrates inhabiting A^-ithin the said towne or liberties of
East Hampton who shall have the same power with the particular Courts upon the river of
Connecticutt, though no other Magistrates of the jurisdiction bee present, for the administration
of justice and other occasions v;"^ may conceme the welfare of the said towne ; offences only

28 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

which concerne life or limbe excepted, w'^'' always shall be tiyed by a Court of Magistrates to
bee held at the River's mouth. W'='' said Magistrates for the towne aforesaid shall be chosen
in manner following.

The towne of East Hampton by the freemen thereof shall yearly present to some Generall
Court for the Jm-isdiction of Connecticutt or to the Goveno"" thereof before the Court of Election,
which is the third Thursday in May, the names of three of their Members of the said Towne
and such as are freemen thereof, whom they nominate for Magistrates the yeare ensuing ; out
of W^*" the generall Court for the jurisdiction shall choose two, who, upon oath taken before one
or both of the Magistrates for the precedent yeare at East Hampton, for the due execution of
their place, shall have as full power to pceed therein, as if they had bene swonie before the
Govemo'' att Connecticutt.

Itt is also provided that the Freemen of the said towne of East Hampton shall have liberty
to vote in the Courts of Election for the Jurisdiction of Connecticutt ( in regard of the distance
of the place ) by proxie ; but in case the towne of East Hampton shall by any extraordinary
hand of Providence be hindered from sending the names of the three persons to bee in election
for Magistrates unto the Generall Court in IMay, or liaving sent, the same doe miscarry ; it is in
such case then pvided and agi'eed that the two Magistrates for the precedent yeare shall supply
the place untill the next Generall Court for election.

Its agreed and concluded that if upon view of such ord" as are already established by the
Generall Court for the Jurisdiction of Comiecticutt, there bee found any difterence therein from
such as are also for the present settled in the towne of East Hampton ; the said towaie shall have
liberty to regulate themselves according as may bee most suitable to theire o\\'ne comforts and
conveniencies, in their owne judgement; pvided those orders made by them concerne themselves
only and intrench not upon the interests of others or the generall combination of the united
Collonies & are not crosse to the rule of righteousnesse. The like power is also reserved unto
themselves for the future, for making of such orders as may concerne their Towne occasions.

It is agreed and concluded that if any party find himself agiieved by any sentence or judgm'
passed by the magistrates residing at East Hampton, hee may appeale to some perticular or
Generall Court upon the Kiver, pvided hee put in security to the satisfaction of one or both of
the Magistrates at East Hampton, speedily to prosecute his said appeale, and to answere such
costs and dammages as shall bee thought meet by the Court to w"""" he appeales, in case thei"e be
found noe just cause for his appeale.

It is agreed and concluded that the said Towne of East Hampton shall only beare theire owne
charges in such fortifications as are necessary for their owne defence, maintaining their owne
officers and all other things that concerne themselves, not being lyable to bee taxed for
fortifications or other expences that only appertain to the plantations upon the River or
elsewhere. But in such expences as are of mutuall and common concernm', both the one and
the other shall beare an equall share, in such pportion as is agreed by the united Colonies
(viz') according to the number of males in each plantation from 16 to GO years of age.

The. Oath to he tahen at East Hampton.

I. A. B. being an Inhabitant of East Hampton, by the pvidence of God combined with the

Jurisdiction of Connecticutt, doe acknowledge my selfe to bee subject to the govemm* thereof

and doe sweare by the great and dreadful! Name of the Everliv-ing God, to bee true and faithfull

to the same and to submit both my person and estate thereunto, according to all the wholesome

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 29

lawes and orders that are or hereafter shall bee made and established by lawful authority, w"*
such limitations and exceptions as are expressed in the combination of this Towiie w"" the
aforesaid Jurisdiction, and that I will neither plott nor practise any e\'ill against the same, nor
consent to any that shall so doe, but will timely discover it to lawfuU authority there established,
and that I will, as I am in duty bound, maintaine the honno'' of the same and of the lawful!
Magistrates thereof; •pmoting the publicke good of it whilst I shall continue an inhabitant there,
and whensoever I shall give my vote or suffrage touching any matter w'^'' concemes this
Common-wealth, being called thereunto, I will give it as in my conscience I shall judge may
conduce to the best good of the same, without respect of persons or favo'' of any man. So
help mee God, in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The forementioned Agreements were concluded the day and yeare above written betweene
the Jurisdiction of Connecticutt and the Towne of East Hampton w"" reference to the approbation
of the Comission" for the United Collonies, w'^'' being obtained the said agreeem'* are to bee
attended and observed according to the true intent and purpose thereof; or otherwise to be
voyde and of noe effect. And in Testimony thereof the parties have interchangably set heremito
their hands

Subscribed in the behalf of the Colony
of Connecticut by order of y^ Gen' Court,
held at Hartford May 21. '5S.

By me Daxiell Clarke,
' ■ Secret^.

The Court doth alsoe order and hereby doe signify the same, that the power of any particuler
Magistrate and alsoe of any Magistrate residing in any place upon Long Island belonging to
this Jurisdiction shall extend itself to al and any persons in this Colony ; and that those of
Southampton and East Hampton shall jopie together in y" exercise of judicature amongst them,
and to summon juries from either place, and that they have liberty to repaire to \ew London to
any court kept there for help in any controversy.

Subscribed by me
Daxiell Clarke,

Secref.

3 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order a])pomting a Committee for Plantation affairs.

[ Council Eegister. C. P.. II. I. 63. ]

At the Court at AVhiteliall tlie 4"' July IGGO.

Presext — Tlie Kings most Excellent JMa"''

His Royall Higlmess His Royal Highness

y"" Duke of York. y« Duke of Gloucester

Lord Chancellor " Lord Steward

Lord Generall Moncke Lord Great Chamberlin

Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Leicester

Earle of Southampton Lord Vise' Saye & Seale

Earle of Berks Lord Roberts

Lord Wentvvorth Lord Gen" Moimtague

Lord Seymour M"' Sec> Nicholas

M' Denzill Holies RP Arthur Annesley

M"" Sec^ Morris S'' Anthony Ashley Cooper

Comittee appohited for Plantation aff'airs.
Upon a Petition presented to his Ma"' by divers mercliants and others interested in, and
tradings to the English Plantations in America expressinge the good behaviour and great meritt
of Coll. James Russell, ( late Gov'' of the Island of Nevis in the West Indies ) and humbly
beseechinge his Ma"* to grant his coraission for contynuance of him the said Coll. Russell in the
Government of the said Island, His Ma"" this day sittinge in Coimcill hath appointed the Lord
Chamberlin, the Earle of Southampton, the Earle of Leicester, the Lord Viscount Saye and
Seale, the Lord Roberts, M'' Denzill Holies, M"' Secretary Nicholas, M'' Secretary Morice, M'
Arthur Annesley, & Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper or any three ormore of them to meet and
sitt as a Comittee every Munday & Thm-sday at three of the Clocke in the afternoone, to
receive, hear, examine and deliberate upon any petitions, propositions, IMemorialls or other
addresses which shall be presented or brought in by any person or persons concerning the
Plantations as well in the Continent as Islands of America ; And from tyme to t3n-ne make
their Report to this Board of their Proceedinas-

Patent of King Cliarles II. con,stitutin<j a Council for Trade.

[ Tra.le Papers, Slate Paper Office. XV. 13. ]

Charles the Second by the Grace of God, of England Scotland France and Ireland King,
Defender of the Faith &c. Whereas by the good providence of God wee and our kingdomes
are restored to peace and settlement after the uuliappy revolutions of many yeares, wherein the
greatest concernment of our Crowne and of our good people have many wayes suffered, and
whereby evills and inconveniences have growne upp, especially in matters of trade manufactures
and navigation, in w'''" these kingdomes have been famous in all ages ; Wee have taken into

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I. 31.

our princely consideracon the present state of aftayres in relacon to the trade and comerce
of our owne kingdomes aswell as of other Nations & Governments, well weighing how
considerable a part of our Crowue and Government doth arise from forraigne & domestick'
trade, and that they are the cheife imployment and maintenance of our people ; Nature by a
happie scituation and by a bomitifull accomodacon of ports and other extraordinary assistances
having easily given us many eminent advantages above other nations. Wee therefore resolve
upon most mature deliberation by all wayes possible to restore & advance the honoiu- and
interests of our severall dominions and to give the utmost encouragement and meaiies to the
Industrie invencon and adventure of all our lovinge snbjectes, and to those good ends and purposes
wee shall not only bend our earnest affections and consultations in our owne royall person, wee
havinge had many extraordinary opertunities to informe ourselfe in matters of this natiu'e, but
shall veiy efiectually recomend them to our Privie Councell and all our Rlinisters of State,
that in all treaties and leagues with forraigne Princes and ahies the securitie & prosperitie of
trade & comerce shall be tenderly considered and provided for. And because every mistery or
difficultye may bee the more easily discerned and encountered, and that every interest may bee
righted, wee Ymve thought fitt to erect and establish a Counsell of Trade consisting of the
persons hereafter named, who being diversly quallified and fitted thereunto, will wee doubt not
consult and propose such things as may tend to the rectifying those errors which the corruption
of late tymes have introduced. It is therefore our will and pleasure and wee doe hereby of
our especiall grace certjaie knowledge and mere motion, authorize appoint constitute and
orda}aie our right trustie and right welbeloved Councellor Edward Lord Hide Lord Chancellor
of England, our right trustie and right welbeloved Cousin and Councellor Thomas Earle of
Southampton Lord Treasurer of England, our right trustie and iutirely beloved Cousin and
Councellor George Duke of Albemarle, our riglit trustie and welbeloved Cousin and Councellor
Edward Earle of Manchester Chamberlayne of our Howshold, our right trustie and right
welbeloved Cousins Philipp Earle of Pembroke and Montgomery, James Earle of Marlborough,
Jerome Earle of Portland, George Earle of Nor\vich and Edward Earle of Sandwich, our right
trustie and welbeloved Councellor John Lord Roberts our right trustie and welbeloved WilHam
Lord Vise' Brounker, Francis Lord Willoughbie of Parham, John Lord Culpeper, John Lord
Berkley of Stray ton, our right trustie and welbeloved Councellors Denzill Mollis Escf Sir
George Carterett our Vice Chamberlayne Sir Edward Nicholas and S' William Morris Kn'% our
principall Secretaries of State, Arthur Annesley Esq'' Sir Anthony Asheley Cooper Ku' &
Baronett, our trustie and welbeloved William Coventrey Esq', our trustie and welbeloved Sir
Ralph Freeman Kn' one of the Masters of our Requests, S'' Sackvill Crow Kn' & Baronett,
S'' Robert Abdie Kn' & Baronett, S"' Charles Harbord Kn' our Surveyor Generall, Sir John
Wolstenholme Kn', Daniell Oneale Esq'' Sir Thomas Ingram, S"' Nicholas Crispe, S"' William
Thomson, S'' Richard Ford, S'' Thomas Chamberlajaie, S'' Andrew Richaut, S'' George
Downeinge, Sir John Shawe, Sir Joseph Ash, S' James Draix, Knights, Henry Hide, Edward
Waller, Thomas Povey and Henry Slingesbie EscfS and our trustie and welbeloved William
Bounkley, Edward Diggs, Martin Noell, William Allen, Arthur Ingram, Christopher Boone, Robert
Richbell, Richard Chiverton, Richard Kinge, William Williams, George Toriano, William Fisher,
John Parker, Thomas Tite, John Jolliflij, William Walker, Samuel Mico, Thomas Kendall, John
Colleton, Giles Lidcott and John Lewis, marchants, to bee a standing Councell of Trade, to
take into their consideracon the Trade & Navigacon of this kingdome, and what manner and by
what ways and mcanes the same may bee encouraged regulated & improved, and they are

a^ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

hereby authorized to receave and prosecute all such propositions and overture for the regulacon
and benefitt of Trade and Navigacon as shalbe offtjred to them by any other person or persons,
and to view all such books records or other writings of publique use as they shall hold necessary
for their better information and to send for any person or persons whom they shall think to bee
of experience and abilitye or otherwise capable to bee advised with in any thing that tends to
the prosecution of this our Comission. And wee hereby require all officers and ministers
whatsoever or any other of our lovinge subjectes who slialbee desired or shall receave any
order or other sunnnons from the said Councell of Trade, soe constituted by us, to advise or
otherwise informe or assist the sayd Councell for the better understandinge and discovery of the
matters comitted to their care, enquirie, and prudence, that every such person or persons doe
yield a ready conformitie thereunto as they tender our displeasure for their disobedience unto
us and the authoritie derived from us. And when the said Councell shall have drawne their
consultacons and debates into any resolution or proposition w""'' they shall judge to bee for the
regulacon and advancement of trade manufactures navigacon or any other publique good relateing
thereunto, they may and are hereby directed and required to p''sent and certifie the same their
opinion and advice to us for our father consideracon and determinacon. And because soe good
and laudable sei-vice may the more effectually be carried on. Wee doe hereby authorize our said
Comm" to nominate and appoint such a Secretary, Clarks, Messengers or other usefull attendants
and to pay unto every such person as they the sayd Councell shall assigne thereunto out of our
Exchequer by warrant from our High Treasurer for the time beinge, such reasonable sallaries or
allowances as to them shall seeme meet and expedient. Provided that all such payments or
other incident charges relateing to the sayd Councell or the service thereof, shall not in the whole
exceed the summe of one thousand pounds yearely. And wee doe herebj- further require the
sayd Comissioners to meet and sitt at Mercer's Hall in our Cittie of I^ondon on Thursday the
eight day of this instant jN'ovember, and wee doe give them power to adjourne to any other
place that shall to them appeare to be more convenient. And wee doe lastly appoint and
ordaine that the persons above named or any seaven of them shalbe a sufficient quorum to all
the intents and purposes of this our comission and the instruccons therein conteyned, or w"^*" are
annexed thereunto, or any further instruccons w"""" shall from tyme to tyme be given to them by
us. In Witness whereof wee have caused these our letters to be made patents ; Witness
Our selfe att Westminister the seaventh day of November in the Twelveth yeare of our raigne.

P"' ipsum Regem,
[16G0.] - , Barker.

llif Maje-^tif-s C(f>nm.imimi for a Connoil for Fore'upi Plantations:.

[ Nc-w Englnn.l, I. 122. ]

Charles tlu^ Second liy the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland, King,
Defender of the Faith &c. To our right trusty and right welbeloved Councellour Edward Lord
Hyde our Chaucello'' of England, and to our right trusty and right welbeloved Cozens and
Counsello" Tlioiuas Earle of Soutliampton our High Treasurer of England and Edward Earle of

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. SS

Manchester our Chamberlain of our Howsehold, and to our right trutie & right welbeloved
Cousins Theophikis Earle of Lincoln, John Earle of Clare, James Earie Marlborough and
Jerom Earle of Portland, and to our right trustie and welbeloved William Viscount Say and
Scale, Francis Lord Dacre, Thomas Lord Winsor, Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, John
Lord Roberts and John Lord Berkely ; and to om- right tmsty and welbeloved Councello" S''
George Carteret Kn' our Vice Chamberlaine of our Howsehold, Denzill Holhs Esq. S"' Edward
Nicholas and S"' William Morris, Knights, our Principall Secretaries of State, Arthur Annesley
Esquire and S"- Anthony Ashley Cooper Kniglit ; and to our trusty and welbeloved Robert
Boyle Esquire, WiUiam Coventry Esquire, S' William Berkeley Knight, S' Peter Leere I^'
and Baronett, Sir John Mennes Kn' Sir Nicholas Crispe Kn' S'' Andrew Riccard Kn' Sir James
Drax Kuight, S"' John Shaw Kn' Daniel O'Neille Esquire John Denham Esquire, Edward
Waller Esquire, Edward Vernon Esq. Robert Venables Esquire, Charles Pym Esquire Thomas
Povey Esq. John Limberey Merchant, Edw" Diggs Merchant John Colliton merchant, Edward
Waldrond Esquire, Martin Noell Esquire, William Williams merch* Thomas Kendall merchant
John Lewis merchant, Thomas Middleton mercli' John Jefferyes merchant, William Gascock
one of the Masters of the Chancery, Wilham Watts merchant and Alexander Howe merchant,

Greeting: Having taken into om- princely consideracon and provided for the generall state and

condicon of the Trade Navigation and Forraigne commerce of our severall kingdomes and
dominions. Wee are not without a perticuler eye and regard to the many Colonies and
Forraigne Plantacons which have beene setled and carried on by the Comissions and
encouragements of our Royall predecessors : Wee have thought fitt therefore to drawe those our
distant dominions and the severall interests and governments thereof into a nearer prospect and
consultacon, haveing to our abundant satisfaccon observed that the industi-ie and adventures of
our good subjects w"" the supplies and assistances W^ have beene drawne from hence, have verie
much enlarged the power growth and improvementes thereof, they being now become a greate
and numerous people whose plentiful! trade and comerce verie much imployes and increaseth
the uavigacon and expends the manufactures of our other dominions and exchanges them for
comodities of necessary use, and bring a good accesse of treasure to our Excheq-- for customs
and other duties. In consideracon whereof and for divers other causes us thereunto moving ;
Wee have judged it meete and necessary that soe many remote Colonies and Governments, soe
many wayes considerable to our crowne and diguitie and to w'^'' wee doe beare soe good an
esteeme and affection, should now no longer remaine in a loose and scattered but should be
collected and brought under such an uniforme inspeccon and conduct that Wee may the better
apply our royall councells to their future regulacon securitie and improvem'. And that as many
as are concerned in Forraigne Plantacons may comfortably procede in their affaires relating
thereunto and know whence to expect and receive direccon countenance and encouragem'.
Wee therefore out of our tendernesse and care to our said Forraigne Plantacons and of our
certaine knowledge, especiall grace, and mere mocon, doe by this our Comission under our
Greate Scale appoint constitute and ordaine you to be a Standing Councill, hereby giveing
and granting mito you or any five or more of you full power and authoritie to take into yo'"
consideracon care and conduct the present and future state and condicon of our severall
Forraigne Plantacons, and to consult and procede therein according to the powers conteined in
this our comission and such other Listruccons as are hereunto annexed, or according to any
further instruccons which you shall from time to time receive from us. And you are hereby
' further required and impowered to receive and prosecute all such proposicons and overtures as
Vol. IIL 6

QA NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

shalbe offered unto yon by any other persons and as you shall judge to be for the benefitt or
improvm' of any of our said Forraine Tlantacons. And to view and to make use of all such books
records or other wTitings of publique concemmeut, without any fiee or reward, as you shall hold
necessary for yC better informacon lierein. And to send for any person or persons whome you
shall thiiike to be of experience and abilitie or otherwise fitt to be advised with any tiling that
tends to the prosecucon of this our comission and Instruccons. And wee doe hereby require all
and everie C Governo" or any other person or persons that by vertue of any comission or
graunt from us or any of our royall predecesso" doth doe or shall exercise any power jurisdiccon
or authority upon any of our said Forraine Plantacons, and all and everie our officers and
ministers whatsoever and all merchants planters masters of shipps mariners and all other our
loveiu"- subjects who shall receive any summons order or other direccon or appointm' from the
said Councill of P'orraigne Plantacons soe constituted by us w"^'' shalbe in prosecucon of this our
comission and instruccons, that they doe forthwith yeild a ready conibrmity thereunto, as they
tender our displeasure for their disobedience to us and to the authoritie derived from Us. And
because soe publique and necessary a sei'vice may the more etiectually be carried on Wee
doe hereby further authorize and impower you the said Councill of Forraigne Plantacons to
appoint such Clerkes messengers or other usefull attendants and to pay unto evrie such person
such reasonable salaries or allowances as to you shall seeme meets or convenient w"^ said
salaries and all other contingent charges relateing to the said Councill or the service thereof
Wee doe hereby order and require shall bee payd unto such person as they the said Councill
shall asssigne thereunto, out of our Exchequer by warrant from our High Treasurer for the
time being. Provided that such payments shall not exceede in the whole, the summe of three
hundred pounds yearely. And wee doe hereby further appoint and require you the said
Councill of Forraigne Plantacons to meete and sitt at the Star Chamber at Westminster on
Monday the tenth of this instant December. And wee doe hereby give you power to adjounie
to any other place that to you shall appeare to bee more convenient. In Witness whereof
wee have caused these our Letters to be made Patents and to have continuance dureing our
pleasure. Witness our selfe at Westminster the first day of December in the twelfth yeare of
our Raigne

P' ipsum Ilegem

Barker.

Instrucfions for the Councill apimnfed for Forraigne Plantacons 1 Dec. 1660.

1 You shall infonne yourselves by the best wayes and meanes you can of the state and
condicon of all Forraigne Plantacons, and by what comissions or authorities they are and have
bene governed and disposed of; and are to prociu'e either from such persons as have any
graunts thereof from the Crown, or from the records tliemselves, the copies of all such comissions
or graunts, to be transcribed and registered in a booke provided for that purpose, that you may
be the better able to understand judge and administer such affaires, as by yo'' comission and
instruccons are intnisted to vo"' care and manasem'.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 1. ^§

2 You shall forthwith write letters to evrie of our Govenio" for the time being of all our
English Plantaeons and to evrie such person or persous who by any Letters Pattents from us or
any of our predecesso" doe claime or exorcise a right of governem' in any of the said plantaeons ;
in w'^'' Ires you are to iuforme them of our gratious care and provision in their behahe both in
erecting a Gen-'all Comicill of Trade wherein their concemni'^ are mingled and provided for with
the rest of our dominions and especially of this pticular Counceli w-^" is applyed only to the
inspeccon care and conduct of Forraigne Plantaeons.

3. You are in the said letters to require the said Govemo" and persons abovemeconed, to
send unto you in writeing w"" the advice of the Counceli of evrie of the said plantaeons
respectively, perticuler and exact accompt of the state of their aflaires ; of the nature and
constitucon of their lawes and governem' and in what modell and frame they move and are
disposed ; what numbers of men ; what fortifications and other strengths and defences are upon
the place, and how furnished and provided for.

4. You are to order and settle such a continuall correspondencie that you may be able, as often
as you are required thereunto, to give up to us an accompt of the Governm' of each Colonie ;
of their complaints, their wants, their abundance ; of their severall growths and coniodities of
every shipp tradeing there and its ladeing and whither consigned and what the proceeds of that
place have beeue in the late yeares ; that thereby the intrinsick value and the true condicon of
each part & of the whole may be thoroughly imderstood ; whereby a more steady judgem'
and ballance may be made for the better ordering and disposing of trade & of the proceede
and improvem" of the Plantaeons ; that soe each place vidthin it seHe, and all of them being
collected into one viewe and managem' here, may be regulated and ordered upon common and
equall gi'ound & principles.

5. You are to applie your selves to all prudentiall meanes for the rendering those dominions
useful! to England, and England helpfuU to them, and for the bringing the severall Colonies
and Plantaeons, within themselves, into a more certaine civill and uniforme of governem' and
for the better ordering and distributeing of pubhque justice among them.

6 You are to enquire diligently into the severall governm'^ and Councells of Colonies
Plantaeons and distant Dominions, belonging to other Princes or- States, and to examine by
what conduct and pollicies they governe or benefit them ; and you are to consult and provide
that if such councells be good wholsome and practicable, they may be applied to the use of our
Plantaeons ; or if they tend or were designed to the prejudice or disadvantage thereof or of any
of our subjects or of" trade or comeree, how then they may be ballanced or turned back upon
them.

7 You are to call to yo' assistance from time to time as often as the matter in consideracon
shall require any well experienced persons, whether merchants, planters, seamen, artificers &e.

8. You are to take especiall care and enquire into the strict exeeucon of the late Act of
ParUament entituled An Act for the encouragem' & increasing of Shipping and Navigacon, that
asmueh as in you lyes none of those good ends and purposes may be disappomted for W^"" the
said Act was intended and designed.

9. You are to take into yo' consideracon how our severall Plantaeons may be best supplied
with servants, that neither our Collonies, especially such as are imediately under our comissions,
may be unprovided in so essentiall an assistance, nor any of our good subjects may be forced or
inticed away by any unlawful! or indirect way ; and that such as are willing to be transported
thither to seeke better fortunes than they can meete with at home, may be eneom-aged thereunto ;

86 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and how such a course may be legally settled for the future that vagrantes and others who
remaine here noxious and unprofitable, may be soe transplanted to the generall advantage
of the publique aswell as the particuler commoditie of our Forraiue Pantacons.

10. You are most especially to take an efiectuall care of the propogacon of the Gospell in the
severall Forraine Plantacons, by provideing that there be good encouragem' settled for the invitacon
and maintenance of lenied and orthodox ministers, and by sending strict orders and injimccons for
the regulating and refonning the debaucheries of planters and sei"vants, whose ill example doth
bring scandal! upon Christianitie, and deterr such as yet are not admitted thereunto, from aflecting
or esteeming it. And you are to consider how such of the Natives or such as are purchased by
you from other parts to be servants or slaves may be best invited to the Christian Faith, and be
made capable of being baptized thereunto ; it being to the bono'' of our Crov^nie and of the
Protestant Religion that all persons in any of our Dominions should be taught the knowledge of
God, andbe made acquainted with the misteries of Salvation.

11. You are lastly required and impowered to advise order settle and dispose of all matters
relating to the good govemm' improvement and management of our Forraine Plantacons or any
of them, with your utmost skill direccon and prudence. And in all cases wherein you shall judge
that further powers and assistants shall be necessary, you are to addresse your selves to us [or ]
our Privy Councill for our further pleasm-e resolucon and direccons therein.

Orders and Proceedings at His Ma** Counsell for Forraigne Plantacdns.

[ New England, I. 124. ]

The Star Chamber, Westminster

Die Lunas X"" die Decembris Anno Regni Dni

Regis nunc Caroli Secundi, duodecimo.

Many of the said Counsell viz' Jerom Earle of Portland Lord President ( pro tempore )
Theophilus Earl of Lincolne, James Earle of Marleborough, William Viscount Say and Seale,
Francis Lord Dacre, Francis Lord Willoughby of Parham, John Lord Roberts, John Lord
Berkely, Denzill HoUis Esq. Robert Boyle Esq. William Willoughby* Esq. Sir John Mennes K"'
S'' Nicholas Crispe Kn' Sir James Drax K"' Daniel O'Neile Esq. John Denham Esq. Edward
Waller Esq. Robert Venables Esq. Charles Pjanm Esq. Thomas Povey Esq. Edward Diggs
merchant, John Colliton merchant, Martin Noel Esq. Thomas Kendall merchant, John Lewis
merchant, William Glascock one of the Masters of the Chancery and William Watts merchant ;
being met in the Star Chamber at Westminster on the day above said, by vertue of His Ma"
comission w"' Lastruccons thereunto annexed under the Create Seale of England bearing date
the first day of this instant December to them and Edward Lord Hyde Lord Cliancello'' of
England, Thomas Earle of Southampton Lord High Ti-easurer of England, Edward Earle of
Manchester ChamberUn of His Ma" Howsehold, John Earle of Clare, Sir George Carterett Ku'
Vice Chamberlin of His Ma** Howsehold, Sir Edward Nicholas and S' William Morris Kn"

* It is remarkable this name does not occur in the commission. — R. L.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. . ^

Principall Secretaries of State, Arthur Annesley Esq' S"' Anthony Ashley Cooper Kn' S' Peter
Leere Kn' and Baronett, Sir Andrew Riecard Kn' Sir John Shawe Kn' Edward Vernon Esq.
John Limbrey merchant, Edward Waldrond Esq WilUam Williams merchant, Thomas Midleton
merchant, John Jefteryes merchant, and Alexander Howe merchant, directed ; giveing to them
or any five or more of them power to enquire of and into and to regulate all His Ma'^ Plantacons
in forraigne parts according to the instruccons aforesaid.

The said Commission and Instruccons were then and there read, and the said Comissioners
then present i mediately adjourned into the Inner Starchamber.

Eodem die
The Lmer Star Chamber.

Ordered. That Isl' Phillip Frowde who is recomended by his Ma"^ be and shalbe Clerke or
Secretary of this Counsell. The nominacon of other Officers and consideracon of charges is
referred till Monday next at three of the clock in the after noone in the Inner Star Chamber, to
w"^"" time and place this Coimsell (haveing first ordered all their members to have notice thereof,
adjourned.

Act of the States General and Conditions offered hy tlie Dutch West Indm Comp"
to Settlers in JVeiv Netherlands.

[ state Paper Office ; HoUand. 1G61. ]

The States Generall of the United Provinces,

To all to whom these p'sentes shall see or heard read, doe make kno^\^le ; that wee have
condiscended and pennitted as wee doe by these condiscend & permitt all Christian people of
tender conscience in England or elsewhere, oppressed, full liberty to erect a Colony in the West
Indies between New England and Virginea in America, now within the jurisdiction of Peter
Stivazent the States Generall's Governor for the West India Company, on the conditions &
priviledges gi-aunted by the Committees of the respective chambers representing the Assembly
of the XIX. doe therefore order charge and command all and every one whom these may
concerne, that they shall not in any wise hinder the said people nor any of them or any whom
they sliall or might send with knowledge of the said Company ; but contraryvdse afford unto
any and all of them all favorable helpe and assistance, where it shall be needfull ; for wee
have found it to bee good for the Company. Given att the Hage mider our Seale paraphura,
and signed by our Griffier the 14"" day of February Anno Domini 1661.

The Cojiie of the Conditions ^ Priviledges grauntcd by the West India Comjiany

unto all such people that shall be disposed to tahe vp their abode in those parts

vizt in the New Netherlands.

The West India Company being assembled do gi-aunt and condiscend unto all such people

as above mentioned of what nation soever, fifteen leagues of land in breadth along the sea

side and as farr in depth in the Continent as any plantation hath or may bee setled in the

g| NEW-VOKK COLONIAL MANliSCRIPTS.

iN'ew Netherlands, vvitli jurisdiction of all bayes and rivers comprehended within the bounds
abovementioned.

The free [)ropriety for ever of the said Colony with the appurtenances and dependencyes of
the same & with power to dispose thereof for ever either by will contract bend or otiierwise.

That they and their associates may and shall establish their high, middle, and low Jurisdiction ;
the better to niainteyne their authority.

They shall be free from payinge head money, for the space of twenty yeers.

That they shall have the propriety of any mines of gould and silver (if any found) and all
other miueralls whatsoever or christoUs, costly stones, marble saltpeter, pearle fishing, with
exemption of all dutyes and recognizances, for the tyme of twenty yeere and of and

other taxation ibr the tyme of tenne yeere.

They shall be free for tenn yeere of any recognizance for all such goods as shalbee transported
into the said Colony for traliique with the Natives or otherwise.

They shall bee free for the tyme of tenn yeere for paying the Company their right of furrs,
dyes, and any groth and all merchandize tiiat shalbee exported, none excepted.

These inhabitants shall and may make use of their owne fraited or hired shipps for the
transportation of their owne goods and merchandizes for ever, without renderhig or giveiug any
account unto the said West India Company.

The said inhabitants shall and may freely erect and establish within their Colony the lishing
trade, and transport the same into Spaiue the Streights or elcewhere, free from any recognition,
during the tenne of twenty yeere.

The said inhabitants shall have full liberty after they have planted their Colony in case of
difference with tlie aforesaid Peter Stivazant or any that shall survive him as Governo"' by
appointment of the Sjtates of the Netherlands, to chuse a Director or Clieife; only they shall
issue out all writts, of what nature soever, in the name of the States Generall of the United
Netherlands.

Sinnmnnj aJvcrliscincnts concerning tlic above mmtwncd Colunij.
That the tract of land lying & being scittuated as abovementioned, is not above six weekes
sayle from Holland, there is divers places within the said bounds, strong by natiure, w"^"" may be
easily fortefied against any enemye and as yett uninhabited ; it's under the best clymate in the
whole world, it lying betweene 39 & 40 degrees and soe farther Northward ; seed may bee
thrown into the ground, except six weekes, all the yere long ; there are five sorts of grape w"^'' are
very good and grow heere naturally, with diverse other excellent fruits extraordinary good, and
y" fruits transplanted from Europe far surpasseth any there ; as apples pears, peaches, melons,
&c. the land very fertile, producetli a great increase of wheat and all other grane whatsoever ;
heere groweth tobacco very good, it naturally abounds, with severall sorts of dyes, furrs of all
sorts may bee had of the natives very reasonable ; store of saltpeter ; marvelous plenty in all
kinds of food, excellent veneson, elkes very great and large ; all kind of land and sea foule that
are naturally in Europe are heere in great plenty, with severall other sorte, y' Europe doth not
enjoy ; the sea and rivers abounding with excellent fat and wholesome fish w''' are heere in
great plenty ; the mountenouse part of the country stored with severall sorts of mineralls ;
great profit to bee derived from trafiique with the natives (who are naturally a mild peojjle, very
capable (and by the Grace of God) to be drawne out of their blind ignorance to the saving light
by Jesus Christ. Heere may likewise bee great profitt made by fishing, whereby abmidance of

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. S9

people may bee implored -with great and notable advantages, since the same shall bee free of
all duty for the terme of twenty yeere. Therefore if any of the English, good Christinns (who
may bee certefied of the advantages to mankind, of plantations in these latitudes from others
more southerly) and shalbee rationally disposed to transport themselves to tlie said place under
the conduct of the United States, shall have full liberty to hve in y'' feare of the Lord, and upon
the aforesaid good conditions shalbee likewise curteously used.

Therfore all those that shall desire to joyne their Stock to bee of the association, may (if
they please) on the back of this paper expresse the somme, and such signature not to bee
obligatory before such tyme as there shalbee a Contract made between^ tiiem and the said
States. But if any people that desire to transport themselves, without jopiing in Company,
they shall have their full free and absolute liberty to all intente and purposes whatsoever

In hdem hujus signavi requisitus

G"' Le Coeut Not'" Pub"".

Narrative a/iid Deposition of Capt. Bredon,.

[New England, \\. 165.]

My Lords and Gentlemen.

Having received a summon to appear before yo' Hono" of his Ma" Councill for Forreign
Plantations, this day, being y= 11th of March 1660. to give information of the present stale
condition and governm' of y^ severall Colonyes of New England : I do here in y^ 1"' place
present y"" vv"" y* Book of Laws for Massachusetts Colony whereby yo'' Hon" may understand
y' Govemm' thereof better than my selfe, which Governm' they assert to be by patent from y«
King, w"^"" patent I never saw, therefore cannot tell how agreeable to their patent they act.
What laws are not mentioned in this Book are in y^ Magistrates brests to be understood, the
distinction of freemen and non freemen, members & non members, is as famous as Cavalers &
Roundheads was in England, and will shortly become as odious, and I hope abandoned. The
grcivances of y* non members who are really for the King, and also of some of y^ Members are
very many, which I refer you to others more able than my self to relate y". And since His
iSIa''" hath granted a generall pardon, it will not become me to say they had so much as a
stinking breath, altho' they apprehended a gentleman not many years agoe (supposing him to
be y= King) resolving to send him for England, had not Sir Henry INIoody & others better
known His Ma"^ It is not unknowm to you that they look on themselves as a free State, and
how they sate in Councill in December last, a week, before they could agi-ee in writing to His
iNra'"' there being so many against owning the King, or their having any dependance on Engl**.
Their pet" I have not seen but by information miderstand they acknowledge their allegiance to
His Ma'y. Upon W^i" I quere (l^''^) Why do they not proclaim His Ma"^ ? (2="y) Why doe they not
act in His Ma'* name ? (3'^) Why doe they not give y' Oath of Allegjance to His Ma'^ but instead
thereof force an Oath of FideMty to themselves & their Goveram' ? as in y^ Book of Laws page
62. 68. 6.3. and 84. At the arrivall of Whally & Goffee, who came to New England under y'
names of Richardson & Stephenson, I knowing y" commanded y" before y^ Govenior &

45 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

acquainted him they were two of y^ Kings Judges, declared traitors and murderers, & therefore
advised him^to secure y" ; who answered without a Commiss" from Eng"* none should medle
w"" y". For my sei-vice herein I was ahused by many, by calling me malignant, and y'
Marshall Gen" of y® Country coming to me before severall in Court time, used these expressions,
grinning in my face, "Speake ag=' Whally & GofTe if j^ou dare, if you dare, if you dare."
Afterwards came to my hands y* Act of Parliam' and y" King's Proclamation, W"" some vilifyed
and said they are more malignant pamphlets I had pickt up. Hereupon I wrote a letter to y'
Dep. Governor, a copy whereof I humbly present yo'' Honors, sent it by my man, who is able
to testify it, & to that pui-pose brought him over w"" me : The Dep^ asked him whether it was
my writing: he answered it was, & y* I ordered him to bring his answer: who bad him be
gone, told him he had nothing farther to say to him. By the Book of Laws you may understand
that none but freemen, who will take y'= Oath of Fidelity, are capable of bearing office in
Military or Civill affaires, and tho' the officers are freemen, yet 2 thirds of y^ soldjers are
non freemen, who tho' at present they obey the command of their Officers, would, I am confident,
be glad to have officers by the King's Commission, and do desire and expect a Governor to be
sent from the King : others fe^r it, and say they will dye before they loose their liberties &
priviledges ; by which it may appeare how difficult it is to reconcile monarchy and independency.
There's many also desires His Ma"" may be proclamed there, and to be governed by y* laws of
Engl"* ; but in y" Book of Laws page y" 9"" is enacted that whosoever shall treacherously or
perfidiously endeavor the alterations and subvertion of their frame of policy or government
fimdamentally, shall be put to death ; and if any speake for the King's interest, they are
esteemed as ag''' their frame of policy or governm' and as mutiners : mider which pressures
many gi-oaned'at my coming away, being as I may say debarred of their allegiance by a law
wherein their laws are contrary to the laws of England. I leave to Yo"" Hon" to judge of how
great concernment it is that there should be a speedy course taken for setling and establishing
this comitry in due obedience & subjection to His Ma""' may appeare, by the two hectors
Whally and GofFe, dayly bussing in their ears a change of goveram' in Engl"* and also by the
multitudes of discontented persons of their gang, going and sending their estates thither. What
the effects will be is easy to be feared, unless a speedy course be taken ; thej' being the key to
the Indies, without which Jamaica, Barbadoes and y" Charibby Islands are not able to subsist,
there being many thousand tunns of provisions, as beefe, porke, pease, biskett, butter, fish,
carried to Spaine Portugall and the Indies every year, besides sufficient for the comitreys use.
I doe farther assert that the French and Dutch trading into the English Plantations in America,
is very much to the prejudice of Engl"* and to the loss of His Ma*>', in respect to customs, many
thousand pomids yearly. Now whereas there are many ships and persons bound for New
England suddainly upon account of liberty and to secure estates, I leave it to Your Hon"
wisdome, whether it may not be requisite that the merchants of England that trade thither, and
those of New England, should not give security for their freinds allegiances in New England ;
or els whether it may not be expedient to lay an imbargo on all shipping bound thither, untill
His Ma"' shall conclude of sending over for establishing and setling that country in finne peace
and due obedience.

What I have here declar(*l, I have done out of my duty to His Ma'^ and my love and respects
I beare to them of New England in generall; having received many common favours from them,
as to my personall affaires, and as few in respect of His Ma"'' interest.

This was given in

by Capt Tho Breedon

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 41

Thomas Breedou of the City of Dublin Esq. maketh oath that hee doth well remember that
not long after His Majesties most happy Restoration to his government, hee, the sayd Thomas
Breedon did deliver in to His Ma''" Councell for the Plautacons a paper, whereof the writing
herein conteyned is a true coppy as he beleiveth, and that y^ contents therein conteyued were

true.

Jurat coram me 17 die Oclob.

( Signed ) Tho : Breedon. • 167S".

( Signed ) Jo. Tophaivi.

Oov' Eadeeott to GovT Stulvessant of New Netlieiiaads.

[Trade Papers, State Paper Office. XV. 80. ]

The Govemo'' of the INIassachusetts Jurisdiction in New England having receaved a letter
from his most Excellent Ma'J" Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland
Fraunce and Ireland &c bearing date the fifth of March 1660 directed to the Govern"' or Cheife
Magistrate or Magistrates of his plantation of New England requiring the diligent searching for &
apprehending of Colonell Edward Whalley and Colouell William GofFe &c: — Haveing sent for
the Magistrates adjojming & proceeded to make choice of & send ftPThomas Kirke & M" Thomas
Kelond (& John Chapin as their guide to attend on them) as meete messeug" to cany not only
true copies of His INIa'""' letter to the Govern'' of Conecticott Dep' Govern'' of New Haven &
also to the Gov'' of the Manhatoes or New Netherlands w"" particular letters to each of them, for
the best, most speedie and faithfull executing of His Ma" comands and gave the said messengers
severall letters instructions and directions to attayne the end, & are as followeth : —

To if Gov'' of Conecticott Dcp. Gov. Neiv Haven & Gov. of Plimor/th mutatis mutandis.
Sir

Having receaved a letter from the Kings Ma''' our gracious Soveraigne, a true copie whereof
I have heere enclosed, finding by the supscription thereof that it is of equall concernem' to
yo''self & such of the Magistrates as are assisting to you, as it is to us or any heere, and at
present more, because the Gent™ rendered in his Ma''" letter guilty of so execrable a murther
hath some whiles since departed this jurisdiction, wee have not beene wanting to ourselves in
endeavouring , the apprehending of them, by an order of our Councill which hath bin issued out
a two moneths since, & now after my advising w"" our Magistrates as many as such a time
would permitt, I thought it meete in discharge of our duty to His Ma'" by these bearers to send
the same to yow, not doubting of your faithfull efi'ectuall & speedy discharge of your duty to
His Ma'^ as is desired & therein required, not els, but my due respects to yo''self & not doubting
of yo'' readiness to comply w"' so just & necessary a comand, remaine, Sir

Yo'' assured lovinge friend

Boston 7 May 1661. John Endecott.

Sir

Having receaved a letter from the Kings Ma'^ our gracious Soveraigne, a true copie whereof I
have heere inclosed to yourself, and judge it no lesse then my duty by these bearers, gent'" of
Vol. m. 6

42 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

knowaie creditt nnd fidellity to his Maj'^ & unto us, to desire in case that Colonell Whalley and
Colonell GoiFe be come into your parts, as wee understand they are, fled irom hence especially
from the justice of the English Nation, thinking to shroude themselves in these remote parts ;
that you would be pleased to deliver them to these bearers w"' meete helpe to convey them out
of yo^ limitts into the English jurisdiction, to lie conveyed to Boston to be sent as by his Maj'^
is required. In doing whereof you will not only doe an act worthy the amity and correspondency
that is betweene our Nation & j'ours, but such as you shall finde us ready on the like occasion
to serve, and be

Sir
Boston 7 May 16GL You'' thaukfull & much

obliged Servant

JoHX Endecott Gov''n^
To the much honnored Peter Stuivessant Esq.
Go'"n' of the New Netherlands, these.

That this is a true copy compared with the Original, attests

Edward Rawson, Secret*.

Petition of the Earl of Sterling against the Dutch intruding on Long Island.

[New England, I. 134.]

To THE KixGs Most Excellent Ma''"

The humble peticon of Henry Earle of Sterlyne Sheweth.

That yo"' INIa" royall Gra,iidfather King James of happy memory by his Letters Pattents under
the Greate Seale of England dated 3° Novemb"' in the eighteenth yeare of his raigne over England
&c did grant imto the then Dukes of Lenox and Buckingham & other persons of bono'' and
their successo" all that continent in America lyeing betweene the degi'ees 40 and 48 of Northerly
latitude, and called it New England, and incorporated them by y" name of y" Councell for the
affaires of New England, granting unto them a Common Seale.

That that Councill by their deede mider their Common Seale dated 22 April in the eleaventh
yeare of the raigne of your Ma'^ royall Father of blessed memory did grauiit unto William
Earle of Sterlyne your petitioners Grandfather and his heires, part of New England and an
Island adjacent called Long Island with power of judicature, saveing to that Councill the Oyer
and Terminer of Appeales ; to be held of that Councill per Gladium Comitatus, and 3nelding the
fifth part of all of oare of gold and silver.

That yo"" Peticoners Grandfather, and father, and himselfe their heire, have respectively
enjoyed the same and have at their greate costs planted many places of that Island ; but of late
divers Dutch have intruded on severall parts thereof, not acknowledging themselves within Your
Ma" allegiance, to Your Ma'' disherison and your Peticoners prejudice.

May Yo"" Majestie be pleased to confinne unto your Peticoner his said inheritance
to be held immediately of your Crownie of England, and that in any future

LONDON DOCT^MENTS : I. 43

treaty betweene your royall selfe and the Dutch, such provision may be, as
that the Dutch there may submitt themselves to your Ma" governem' or
depart those parts.

And yo"' Peticoner shall ever pray &c.

At the Court at Whitehall the last of May 1661.

His IMa'' pleasure is, That this peticon be referred to the consideracon and exarainacon of the
Comissioners & Councell of Plantacons, who are thereupon to certifie their opinion what is fitt
to be done for the Peticoners satisfaccon, in order to the good of His Ma'= service in that Island.

Edw. Nicholas.

Certaine reasons, to prove if the DucJi^ lee admitted tirade in Virginia, it wilhe
greate losse, to the Kings Jia'" and prejudice to the Plantacbn.

[Trade Papers, LVII. 90.] ' ■

1. First it wilbe a losse unto his Ma"^ in regard there is noe custome paid for there Commoditie
as the Kings subjets doe.

2. To trade w"^ the Duch in those parts, wilbe much prejudice, to his Ma'"^ in his customes, in
regard here is not sale in this Kingdome to vent that great quantitie the plantation afordeth, see
that if the Duch furnish there one markets, our Marchants must of force to there greate hinderance
suffer there commoditie to lie in there warhouses beinge disabled by there trade to pay such
custome and impost as is due to His Mat'°.

3. Il' the Duch be admitted trade in Virginia it wilbe a meanes that the Kinge shall receave
noe benefitt from that plantation.

4. There trade will disable our Marchants to supply the Plantacon w^^ wilbe to y"" prejudice
& ruine thereof, for if thay be not continually supplied, the people there are not able to subsist.

5. It is to be doubted in short time thay will over throwe his Ma''" Plantacon, if thay
continue trade there, for thay have already incroacht very neere our Plantacon, to oui- greate
prejudice of trade, w'='' the Natives of that Countrey, and doe call there plantacon, by the name
of the New Netherlands denyinge his Ma''"^' right & title in those parts.

6. There is now two shipps going from Zeland to trade there w'^'" if tliay be admitted it wilbe
losse to his Ma"' at least 4000'' w'^'' by your Lordshipps wisdome may be prevented.

This out of dutie to His Ma"' I present unto your Lordshipps wisdomes and cgnsideracon.

44 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Minnie of Coioicil on secret trade ivith tlie Dutch.

[ Sew Englaiul, I. 117.]

At Hi.? Ma"" Councill for forraigii Plantations Liuuy XX^'° die Aiigtisti l()f)2

S' John Shawe W Noell

S^ Will: Berkley . . M-- Kendall

M' Pym M-- Diggs

Isl' Povey

Consideracou being had of a secret trade driven by and with the Dutcii, for Tobacco of the
growth of the English Plantacons, to the defrauding His Ma''" of his Customs and contrary to
the intent of the Act of Navigacon, as namely by delivering the same at sea, by carrying the
same to New England and other Plantacons and thence shipping the same in Dutch bottoms,
and also by rolling the same to the plantacons of the Dutch lyeing contiguous to Delewar Bay
and the Rlanahtoes ; and my Lord Baltimore being made acquainted therewith by this
Councill and consulted therein, hath now promised that he will doe his best to prevent the
same, and will write to his Deputy in Maryland so to doe, and to make seizure of all such
tobacco. But that an etFective & speedie com"se be taken herein ; it is this day ordered by this
Councill that M'' Pym and M'' Povey doe draw up some heads of remedies for the said abuses,
and bring the same to this Councill on Monday next to be considered of and presented to His
Majestie.

Order to enforce the Britiah Navigation Act in the Plantations.

[ Council Ecgister, Ch. II. E. III. 450. ]

At the Court at Wliitehall, the 24"' of June 16()3.

Present — The Kings Most Excellent Ma"'

H. R. H. The Duke of York Earle of Carbery

Lord Chancellor Lord B? of London

Duke of Albemarle Lord Sejanour

Marques of Dorchester Lord Hatton

L"* Great Chamberlain Lord Berkley

Earle of Sandwich Lord Holies

Earle of Carlisle INP Treasurer

Earle of Middleton M"" Vice Chamberlain

M' Sec^ Bennett M' Sec'' Morrice.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. ^5

A minute oflctUrs to the scvcraU Gov^' of his Ma'^^ Plantations in America viz'

S"' William Berkeley
Philip Calvert, Esq"'
Lord Willougliby of Parham
Col. William Watts
Col. James Russell
Col. Roger Osborne
Jolm Buuckley, Esq''
Col. William Byam
S"- Charles Littleton

Virginia
Maryland
^_ Barhadoes

° S' Christophers

I Nevis

5; Mountserrat

q3 Autegoa

Surinam
Jamaica
j New England.

Whereas by a late Act of Parliament entitled au act for encouraging and increasing of
Shipping & Navigation, all forrain Trade is prohibited to any of his Ma"" Plantations & all
those of his Ma"" subjects that sayle unto any of them are required to give security to retume
w" their lading for England, Ireland, Principality of Wales, or Towne of Berwicke upon
Tweed, as iu the said act is expressed, w" strict command unto the Governors of y"^ said
Plantations to see y« same performed accordingly, w'' great penalties upon such Governors as
coimive or neglect putting y-= said act in execution, who are enjoined also to take oath that y»
said Act be punctually observed. Yet, being informed by Masters of Ships and others tradmg
to Virginia, Maryland, and other his Ma"" Plantations, of many neglects or rather contempts of
his Ma"« commands for y^ true observance of the said Act, (which so highly concerns y^ mcrease
of shipping and y'' regular trade of his Ma"" Plantations, together w"' his revenue that proceeds
from thence) through the dayly practices & designes sett on foote by trading mto forram parts
from Virginia, Mariland and other his Ma"« Plantations, both by land and sea as well unto y«
MoNADOs and other Plantations of y« Hollanders, as unto Spaine Venice, & Holland, occasioned
through the neglect of those Governors in not taking a view of all forrain built ships which come
into their Plantations whether they have a Certificate of their being made free according to y=
act, as also in not duly taking Bond, (before any ship be permitted to lade) that whatever
comodities they shall take in at any of his Ma"" Plantations, the same shall be earned into some
other of his Ma"" Plantations, or into England, Ireland, Wales, or Towne of Berwick upon
Tweed, which Bonds are to be returned twi.ce every yeare unto y^ officers of r Custom House
in London, but hitherto it hath not been done, of which neglect and contempt his Ma"^ is sensible,
and therefore doth require and command you that for y-= time to come a perfect account be kept
by you in that Plantation of all ships that shall loade there, and return y= names both of y' masters
and y^ ships, together w'" true copies of all such Bonds as shall be taken by you there twice in
every yeare unto y« offices of y<= Custom House in London as aforesaid ; which if you shall
forbeare to do, upon information thereof and that any ships freighted there shall contrary to
y« law trade into forrain parts, his Ma"« will interpret it a very gi'eate neglect m you, forwhich
he is resolved to cause the breach of y' said act to be prosecuted according to r tenour thereof,
and discharge you from tliat employment. It being his pleasure that the said Law be very
strictly obsei-ved in regard it much concemeth y^ Trade of this Kingdome. All which wee have
thought goode to lett you knowe, that you may not pretend ignorance, but obser^-e ail such

46

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

orders as aredirected by y^ said act, whereof you may not fayle as you will answer y' contrary
at your perill, and so. &c. Dated, 24° Junij 1GG3. [Signed]

Lord Chancellor,
Marq of Dorchester
Lord Create Chamberlain
Lord Chamberlain
Ea. of Sandwich

Earle of I\Iiddletox
Earle of Carberry
L** Bp of London
Lord Seymour
Lord Hatton

Lord Hollis

M"' Treasurer

]\r Vice Chamberlain

W SeC MoRRicE

M"" Sec'' Bennett.

Complaint of the intritsion, of tlie Dutch into Manhattoe-s,

[New England, I. 119.]

At His Ma'" Councill for Forraine Plantacons, Anno R. R^ Caroli Scdi XV'" LuncE VI'" die
Julij 1663.

Lord Berkeley President
Sir Jo. Colleton S'' iMartiu Nowell

M"" Kendall . M-- Digges.

Upon complaint lately made, to this Councill by Captaine Scott that the Dutch have of late
yeares unjustly intruded upon and possessed themselves of certaine places on the niaine land of
New England and some Islands adjacent, as in perticuler on the Manahtoes and Long Island (being
the true and imdoubted inheritance of His Ma"'' ) and that they doe still keepe the possession
thereof without g'iveing obedience to His INIa''" and the lawes of this kingdome ; and upon reading
of My Lord Sterlins Peticon to His ]Ma''= ( to that purpose ) hither referred, and hearing the
attestacons of divers persons now present, ofFerring proofe thereof: it being also intimated by
some of this Couucill now present that the good iutencon of the late Act of Navigacon is in
great part frustrated by their practices ( being so contiguous to the English plantacons ) and His
Ma"^ defrauded of his customs : It is this day ordered that the said Capt. Scott and M"" Maverick
and Mr Baxter doe drawe up a briefe narrative of and touching these perticulars following ( viz')
1" Of the title of His INIa""^ to the premisses. 2="'' Of the Dutch intrusion. 3'"'' Of their deportment
since and managem' of that possession, and of their strength, trade, and govenim' there,
and 4'">' and lastly of the meanes to make them acSnowledge and submitt to His Ma" govemm'
or by force to compell them thereunto or expulse them. And to bring in such their draught
or paper to this Councill on this day seavenight, that this Couucill may humbly make report to
His Ma'" touching the whole matter, as they shall see cause, and in the interim the members
thereof to be summoned.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 47

Complaint of Trade carried on tvith the Dutch.

[Xew England, I. 110.]

At His Ma"" Councill for Forraine Plantacoiis. Limas Septimo die Decemb. 1663.

Lord Ashley President

U Berkely M"" Boyle

M= O Neile M' Waller

S' Nicholas Crispe S'' John Shawe

S"' Jolm CoUiton S"' Martin Noell

W Digges. iM'' Jefferies.

Upon complaint now made to this Councill by the Farmers of His IMa'^ Customs, of gi'eate
abuses comitted and done aswell by the luhitauts and Planters on, as by the Masters, mariners,
and traders, to Virginia, New England, Maryland, Long Island &c. who under pretence of
furnishing some of those plantacons & other His M" dominions, doe both by land and water
carry and convey greate quantities of tobacco to the Dutch, whose plantacons are contiguous,
the custome whereof would amount to teuue thousand poimds per annmu or upwards, thereby
eluding the late Act of Navigacon and defrauding His Ma"^ For redresse whereof they prayed
the advice and assistance of this Councill. Now upon consideracon and debate thereof had, it
is thought fitt and ordered that the said Fanners of His Ma'^ Customs, some whereof were now
present & of this Councill, ( taking mito them IM'' Digges and W Jefteries two members of this
Councill likewise who know those parts and ti-ade ) doe draw up the forme of a letter ( as from
His Ma''^) to be directed to the respective Govemo" of y^ severall plantacons aforesaid, therein
layeing downe such ndes and instruccons by them to be observed and put in practice, as in their
judgem'' may most availe to the refonnacon of those abuses ; & to bring the same into this
Councill on Saturday next by three of the clock in the afternoone, to be by them perused and
presented to His Ma"^ that they may be speedily dispatched and sent, as the necessitie of the
time and affaire doth require.

Captain John Scott to Under Secr*^ Williamson.

[ Plant. Genl. Miscell. Bundle. Slate Paper Office. ]

Hartford in New England DeC 14. 1663.
Sir.

The many obligations ( I have had noe small moment ) in a continued stream from your
influence on publick aftaires, besides the perticuler tie of Freindshippe, distant from my too
familiare convers with Generall transactions ingageth mee to kiss your hand ( at this distance
by proxie ) and to let you know, that I doe not forget your task w'^'' when perfomied is but the
interest of my debt, your curteous reception of the tender of my endeavours to your service,
hath made me presume, that your goodness w411 mantaine your first favoure w"* a second, which

48 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

emboldens me at this time to desire a small division from your important affaires, to view this
short relation of tlie present state of the English on the west end of Long Island on the muine,
adjacent for many yeares ( as I have formerly given you an accoumpt) lia\-ing been inslaved by
the Dutcii tlieir cruell and rapatious neighbours, have at last asserted the Kings Royall interrest
to his just rights in themselves ettc, though to their utter ruin, had not the Gentlemen of
Connecticut, by their tlie said peoples earnest solicitation, stept in and demonstrated themselves a
people jealouse of His Maj''^' concenies then lyeing at the stake, a peice of acceptable service I
doubt not, to our most deare Sovaraigne, whose honour if culpable of suftering, by such phebian
and drossie spirits was then concerned, but knoweing this service may be blasted, by wronge
measure from the Dutch agent or his emissaries, without some care, and IsJiovreing your power
and willingness to improve it, doe, in behalfe of the Gent" releiving and persons in distresse,
onely as a spectator, or at most a moderator in the premised affaire, I beseach you to caveat auy
addresse being fully heard until some person commissioned from this Countrey be their to
confront the sayd Dutch or their complices. Sir if occasion serve to mention my desires to those
Noble Gent" in conjunction with you, from whome I cannot despaire of a favourable aspect, being
represented by soe happy a medium as your selfe, but I should be too injurious to the publike
good, to detein you longer from your more noble imployements ; I shall therefore onely begg
the happynesse of a roome in your memorie, in qualitie of Sir, your most humble servant.

Jo. Scott.
Post script, my luunble service to the honoured Sir Georg Cartwright to whome I entreat
you to comnumicate this business with the inclosed letter, which is from a Committee of the
said, now releived but formerly distressed subjects of His Maj"" (enslaved by the Dutch) — my
service to noble M" Ciiiffinch ettc.

To the Hon''''' Joseph Williamson Esq''' at his office at Whitehall — Westminster, this ddl.

or at S"' Henr}^ Bennits

at Whitehall this dd.

Order for the Farmers of the Ca.'stoiiis to draw vp a form.

[ New England, I. 1'20. ]

At His Ma" Councill for Forraigne Plantacons. Mercurij XVI'" die Decembris 1663.

Lord Ashley
L"" Berkley W Boyle

M"' Coventry Sir Nich Crispe

W Povey Sir Martin Nowell

Coll : Middleton .. M-- Howe.

Further consideracon being now had of the abuses complained of by the Farmers of His
Ma" Customs, ( done by the Planters on and Traders to Virginia, New England, Maryland,
Long Island &c. by selling and conveighing tobacco to the Dutch, thereby defrauding His iNIa'^'
of his customs and frustrating the intent of the Act of Navigacon ) and of a remedie for those

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 49

evills : It is this day ordered that the said Farmers of His Ma'* Customs ( who propose to send
officers to the several! places aforesaid, for the preventing of those abuses and better managing of
that aflaii'e lor the future ) be desired to drawe up a modell or forme ( such as they shall thinke
fitt ) to be used and practised by their said officers, and how farre they would have the aide and
assistance of the respective Governo''* of the said severall places to be applied to the carryeing
on of the said worke ; and would bring in the same to this Councill to morrow sevenight being
the 24"' instant at three of the clock in the afternoone, to be by them approved of and then
presented to His Ma"'' to be established by the authoritie of His said Ma"" and his Councill, if
they shall thinke titt.

Approval of the Model proposed by the Farmers of the Customs.

[ New England, 1. 120. ]

At His Ma"" Councill for Forraigne Plantacons. Martis X1X° die Jauuarij 16G3.

Earle of Anglesey, Ld President.
Lord Ashley . M' Boyle

tjir Nicholas Crispe ^ M' Waller

Sir John Colliton M"' Povey

Coll. 'S'enion Sir Martin JNovvell

W Kendall, M"" Digges.

The Farmers of His Ma'* Customes haveing this day brought into this Councill a modell or
forme by them, according to order of this Couucell, drawne up to be put in practice by tiieir
officers, W^*" they at their owne charge propose to send to Virginia, New England Maryland
Long Island and other His Ma" Plantacons, where it shalbe necessary for the preventing of
selling and conveighing of tobacco or other comodities to the Dutch and of defrauding His
Ma"® of his customs ; the same was read, and debate being thereon had, it is now ordered that
S"" Nicholas Crispe, S'' John Colliton, S'' Martin Nowell and Mr. Kendall now present, or any
two of them, doe contract the same into as fewe & as briefe heads as they can, and adde
thereunto the Proviso now drawTie up by the Earle of Anglesey, limiting the actings and
proceedings of such officers, by the late Acts of Navigacon : and to bring the same in to this
Council] on Monday next at three of the clock in the aftemooue, that this Councill may doe
therein, what shalbe litt.

\'UL. liL

50 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Modell proj^O'Sed by tlie Farmer.s of the Customs.

[ New Eaglan.I, I. I'iri. ]

At His Ma" Council! for Fonaigne riantacons. Liiiuu Primo die Februarij 1663.

Earle of Lincoln, rnsidnit.
M'' Boyle 8' John Coiliton

M-- Pyni I\P Kendall.

The Modell of the Farmers of His Ma'* Customs proposalls ( heing contracted and abreviated
according to order of this Councill of the nyneteenth of January last ) and now brought in by
M"' Kendall & here read and amendem'^ made therein, is ordered to be entered and the said
Farmers are left at libertie if they please to have another day to have the same farther
considered and debated of

T/ic Modell of the Pnqwsalls.
May it please your ^L\"'^

Your Ma" Councill of Plantacons iiave taken into their consideracon the two actes of
Parliam', tjie one entituled an Act for the encouraging and increasing of Shipping & Navigacon
and anotlier intituled an Act for encouragem' of Trade, by w"^"" it is provided that tlie growth
and production of yo'' Ma'^ Plantacons shall be brought by English shipps into England, Ireland,
or into some other of yo"' Ma" Plantacons, and that bonds shall be given and certificates retorned
of the same : and noe goods to be carryed to the said IMautacons but what are loaden in England
and Ireland «S:c as by the acts doth appeare.

Yo"' Ma" Councill of Plantacons being infoiTned that the said Acts of Parliament in some parts
are not duely put in execution, and forasmuch as yo"' Ma" Farmers of yo'' Customes have made
complaint thereof and have proposed to this Councill, at their owne costs and charges to send
able and sufficient persons to Y'o' ]Ma" severall Plantacons to discover the fraude and to acquaint
the severall Govemours therewith, and to call on them to doe their duties in putting the said
severall Acts in execution in all points as they are required by the said Acts.

For prevention of all neglects, and putting the said acts in execution for the futiu-e Your Ma"
said Councill doe humbly ofller this remedie : that Y'o'' Ma""^ be graciously pleased to give the
persons soe employed by Y'o"' Fanners of Yo'' Ma" Custom Howse, letters to the severall Goverao'''
requireing them to receive informacon from such of the said Farmers officers, and carefully to
put in execucon the said severall acts in all perticulers.

With signification that the persons soe employed shall be at the cost and charges of the said
Farme''' and that noe delay nor charge not warranted by Act or Acts of Parliament shall be by
pretence thereof put upon any planter merchant or comander of shipps.

Ail which neverthelesse is humbly
submitted to Yo'' Ma" greate wisedome.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 1. ' 51

Instructions to the KuKf-S' Coin)ni.s-s'ioner-s- to Ifassaclnisetts.

[Trade Papers, Slato Piiper Office. XVI. 60; New Entjian.l Papers, I. !<!•>.]

Instructions to our ti-usty and well beloved Colonel Richard Nicolls, Sir Robert.
Carre, George Cartwright Esq. «& Samuel Maverick Esq, our commissioners
imployed by us to visite our Colony of y* Massachusetts in our Plantation
in New Euglaud in America and to proceed there according to our said
Commission.
Charles R.
1 As soone as you shall arrive you shall repaire to the Governour of the Colony and deliver
our letter to him, and you shall then desire him to call y* Councell together to the end that ye
may produce y'' Comm" to them ; att w'^'" tyme you shall let them knowe y' kindnesse wee
have for them and y*" extreme desire wee are possessed w"" to advance that plantacon W*" hath
given so good an example of sobriet}^ & industry to all other Plantacons : that wee are soe farr
from any thought of abridging or restraiueing them from anj- priviledges or liberties granted by
our Royall Father of blessed memory to them, in his Charter, that wee are very ready to enlarge
those concess"' or to make any other alteracons, w'"" upon their experience soe many yeares of
that climate & countrey they finde necessary for the good & prosperity of the Colony. That
y'= principall end of yo"" journey is to remove all jealousies and misunderstandings W*" might
arise in Us of y^ loyalty and affection of our good subjects in those parts towardes Us, or in them,
of our good opinion and confidence in them & consequently of our protection over them ; both
w'^'' is and will be enough endeavoin-ed in both places, by insinuacons and representacons of
those whose businesse it is to foment jealousies and improve misunderstandings in order to widen
those breaches w'='' by God's blessing are well made up, and to bring y^ Nacon againe into y'
confusion from w'^'' by his wonderfull providence it is so newly recovered. That 3'Ow are confident
by y"" manifestacon yow shall give them of our tendemesse care and affection towards them and
by y* faithfull representacon you shall make to Us, of the temper duty & alleagiance, you shall
shall disappoint all y'' designes of such mcked & seditious persons, and that such a foundacon
of mutuall confidence & satisfaction will thereby be laid, that wee shall looke hereafter upon
our Colony of y'= Massachusetts as within the same limitts of affection duty and obedience to
our person & government as if it were as near us at Kent or Yorkshire, and they againe w"" the
same confidence of our care and protection as the other doe ; soe that you doubt not they shall
have all great reason to acknowledge our singular affection in our visiteing them by this our
Comm" & by the good effects w'^'' w"" God's blessing will arise from it. That Wee had once a
thought of inserting the names & joyning w"" you in Comiss" some principall persons of that
Colony, but there being so few of the very names of any of our subjects in those parts know^le
to Us, and for y^ avoiding of jealousies W^"* nnght arise by useing some & leaving out others ;
Wee at last resolved to employ j'-ou, who are persons well knowme to us, & the rather for that
being strang''s, and w"'out any interest or depend''^ there &- therefore w"'out any other designe
then to advance our service in y'' good of that Plantacon, and leaving behinde you y* memoiy
& reputacon of having discharged yo'' trust like honest men. And that by how nuich y* more
ignorant you are of that climate, of y' temper and disposicon of y'^ people and of y^ constitucon
of affaires there, the more wary you will be in giving credit to fame, even to yo'' owne
obsen'acon, and the more solicitous to receive information counsell k advise from them ; and

52 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRTPTS.

■vych j.Qy liope & desire they will be ready to give you w"" great freedome, and the rather
because you resolve to condude nothing of moment or importance between yo'selves, w"'Gut
first informeing them of all yo'" mocons, and receiving their opinions and advice thereupon, w'^''
they shall finde upon all yo'' pceedings.

2. You shall after all ceremonies are performed & in the first place of all businesse & before
you enter upon any other particular, discourse att large & w"" confidence to them, all that Wee
our selfe have discoursed to you, of reduceing the Dutch in or neare Long Island or any where
within y* limitts of our owne dominions to an entire obedience to our government. They will
be easily informed of y" consequence of such neighbourhood, if they be longer suffered to raise
a govenmient of their owne. That besides there being a constant receptacle and sanctuary
for all discontented mutinous or seditious persons, who flying from our justice as malefactors,
or who run from their masters to avoid paying their debts, or who iiave any other wicked
designe assoon as they shall grow to any strength or power. Their businesse is to oppresse their
neighbours & to engrosse the whole trade to themselves, by how indirect, unlawful! or foule
meanes soever, witnesse their inhuman proceedings at Amboyna, in a time of full peace & all
profess"' of particular love and freindshipp ; and therefore 'tis higji time to put them out of a
capacitie of doeing the same mischeife here & reduceing them to y"" same rules & obedience w"'
our owne subjects there ; w"^ you are to let them know is all Wee aime at, w"'out any purpose
of useing other violence upon or towardes them, then are necessary to those ends, and that no
man shall be disturbed or removed from what he possesseth, who will jdeld obedience to Us, &
live in y' same subjection & upon enjoying y* same privileges w"" our other subjects. And in
order to this good end of so great & imediate concernments to y"" you shall desire their advice
and concurrence, and that they will assist you w"' such a number of men & all other things as
are necessary theremito, and you shall thereupon proceed in such manner as you shall thinke
fitt, either by building Ibrts above them or by using sucli force as canOt be avoided for their
reduction ; tliey having no kinde of right to hold what they are in possess" of, in our
unquestionable territories then that they are possessed of it hv an invasion of Is.

3. You shall desire them that they will assone as b}' their custome &: constitucon they can do
it, & in the same forme they are accustomed to, call & sumon a Generall Councell & Assembly,
to appeare & meet together, to y"" ende that you may to them, as you have to y^ Governo'' and
Councell declare our kindnesse & afit'ction to them and the motives Wee had to send you
thither, you shall deliver to them y*' coppy of y^ addresse wee had formerly from them w"" our
answer thereunto and the reply wee since received, and likewise copies of whatsoever you have
delivered since your arrivall to y'' Goveruour & Councell, & made tiie like pfessions and desires
to them for their assistance & councell in all things.

4. \ou shall make any addresses or proposicims to the Govemour & standing Councell or to
the Generall Councell, as you shall be advised or in yo'" judgement upon the place you shall
thinke most convenient & that may administer least cause of jealousey or disturbance in the
sendee you goe about ; and you shall desire them as soone as conveniently j^ou can that they
deliver to you a draught or mapp of their limitts .& jurisdiction they lay claime to, and that they
inform you what pretences or titles any of their neighbours lay thereunto ; to y^ end that you
may the better understand all y'' p'^teuces before you visite the other Colonies, & foresee ^^•hat
method then to observe for y" hearing their severall claimes & determinacon thereof; in w'^''
you shall use all persuasions to agree all parties & make no judgem' of yo"" owne as iJnall, upon
the bounds and limitts of y*" severall Colonies, except by consent of parties, or that the right

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 5^

appeares by 3-^ bounds &limitts p''scribed in the Charter or some gi"ant by Us under our Great
Seale of England, w"'out any contradiction by some other Grant from Us likewise under our
Great Seale, & some possess" accoi-dingly, or by some mutual! agi'eement between y^ persons
interessed mid"' their hands and according to y'' custome used there in matters of y' nature. In
all matters of y'' bounds & limitts w"^"" have difficulty in them & doe not fall under y* rules
aforesaid : you shall reserve y^ judgement to our selfe, makeing only su('h a present temporaiy
settlement as may p''serve y peace of y"" country till our farther judgem' & determinacon shall
be made kuowne unto tliem ; towards the forming of w* you will state y<" case & diflerence as
clear as may bee.

6. You shall iuforme yo"" selfes of all y* wayes & meanes you can use, of y*" state and
condicon of y" neighbour Kings & Princes or y^ other Natives adjoyning and shall enquire
what treaties or contracts have been made between them & any of our subjects, & how y*' same
have been obsen'ed & performed on the part and behalfe of our said subjects : and if you finde
that there have been any failer therein, that you take effectuall course that the same bee
punctually performed or full reparation & satisfaction to be made for any damage that hath been
susteined contrary to promise & agreem' ; since any violacou in that kinde will discredit & call
in question y^ faith of Christianity, and disapoint or obstruct our great end of y' conversion of
infidells in those parts. And you shall use all y" wayes you can to let those Princes and other
Indians know of y charge wee have given in this particular & of yo' readynesse to redresse any
thing that hath been done towards them, ag" y*" right rules of justice and good neighbourhood,
& if tliere be opportunity or occasion you shall j'o'' selves, or one or more of you as you shall
thinke fitt, visitt or receive any of those Princes or great men, & assure them of as much in our
name, & enter into such further treaties w"" them as you shall judge convenient.

6. You shall make due enquiry what progresse hath been towards y^ tbuudacon & maintenance
of any College or schools for y'^ educacon of youth, and in order to y* conversion of y^ infidells,
& what successe hath attended their pious endeavours of that kinde ; Wee having received
abundant satisfaction & content in y" accompt wee have received of their designes herein, w"^''
wee doubt not will draw a blessing upon all their other undertakings, & whcreiu they shall
receive all countenance proteccon & assistance from Us.

7. Since it cauot be supposed that any Gov' can be so settled but that the Govern" will be
attended with malice & envy enough, & discontented or unlucky men will be forward to traduce
or accuse those who are in authority or in a better condicon, as they thinke, then themselves ;
you shall not ,give too easy an eare to clamours & accusacons ag" tliose who are or have been
in place of government, except y" informacon be seconded & owned by men of equall condicon,
and then j^ou shall proceed in examinacon & detenninacon of it, according to y" rules of Justice,
w^out any respect to persons or opinions.

8. You shall not receive any complaint of any thing done amisse by any Magistrate, except it
appeares to be ag^' their Charter, w"'' is to regulate & bound all their actions ; nor shall you
interrupt y^ proceedings in justice, liy takeing upon you y* hearing and determining any
particular right between party and party, but shall leave all matters of that nature to y*" usuall
proceedings in y'^ severall judicatories of y" country ; except those proceedings be expressly
contrary to y* rules p-'scribed by the Charter, or that the matters in difference doe arise from
some expressions or clauses conteined in some gi-ant under our Great Seale of England : in all
W^ you are to proceed according to justice, after a due examinacon of all matters and
circumstances.

54- NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

9. You shall in due season and after j'ou have entred into a good conversacon & acquaintance
w"" y' principal persons there, & passed through those aftayres w'''' have more difficulty & w''''
require a union «S: consent between all interests, take a view of oin- Ire of the 28 of June 1662
&■ examine how all those particulars therein injopied hy us &: W*" ought by their Charter to be
observed, ha\'e been or are put in practize, as, that persons take y" ( )ath of Alleagiance, tliat all
processe & tiie administracon of justice be performed in our name, that such who desire to use
y^Book ofComon Prayer may be permitted soe to doe w"'out incurring any penalty reproach or
disadvantage in his interest, it being very scandalous that any man should be debarred y"
exercise of his religion, according to y" laws & custorae of England, by those who by y*
indulgence granted have lil)erty left to be of what profess" in religion they please : iu a word,
that persons of good & honest conversation who have lived long there ma}^ enjoy all y*
priviledges ecclesiasticall & civill w'''' are due to them, and w*^*" ai"e enjo3'ed by oth", as to
choose and be chosen into places of government & the like ; and that ditt'erences in opinion doe
not lessen their charity to each other, since charity is a fundamental in all religion.

10. You shall make due enquiry, whether any persons who stand attainted here in Parliam'
of High Treason, have transported themselves thither, & doe now inhabite or recyde or are
sheltered there, and if any such persons are there, you shall cause them to be apprehended and
to be put on shipboard and sent hither ; to y^ end that they may be proceded w"" according to
law. And you shall likewise examine whether any such persons have been entertained &
received there since our retume into England, & what is become of them, & by whom they
were received & entertained there ; to y" end & for no other ( for wee will not suffer y'^ Act of
Indempnity to be in any degree violated ) that those persons may be taken y^ more notice of,
& may hold themselves to take y* more care for their future behaviour.

11. You sliall take care that such ord" be established there that the Act of Navigation be
punctually obsen-ed, and that an entry be duely made of all ships fraighted from thence, aud
once every yeare there be a list returned to our Fanners or Officers of y" Customs, of all such
ships w"" y* burthen, y*" Masters' names, & y^ true & exact bills of ladeing.

12. You shall before y" conclusion of your imployment, thoroughly informe yo''selves of y*
whole frame & constitucon of y*" government there, both civill and ecclesiasticall, of y^ yearly
taxes and imposicons upon our people and how y" same is issued out, of y" number of y^
shipping belonging to y' Colony, & the severall ranks thereof, and of y" number of y^ militia
both liorse & foote, and of y" walled or fortified towues and forts ; & of all other particulars W^*"
may enable you to give Us an accompt of y" state of our good subjects, & y* government of that
our Colony.

Of all which, and your proceedings in the execution of our Commission, you shall, from time
to time, (as you have opportunity) give an accoimt unto us by tlie hands of one of our
IVincipall Secretaries of t^tate.

Given at our Court at Wliitehall
the 2;3'''' of Aprill 1664, in the
Sixteenth yeare of our Reigiie.
C. R.

By his Ma''" Command

Henry Bennet.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 55

Imtnidiom to Col. NivolU dx\ Commm-ioners to Cormectieut.

[New Engluii.], I. 101.]

Instructions to our trusty and wellbeloved Coll. Richard Nicolls S'' Robert Carre
KiiS George Cartwright Esq' & Samuell Maverick Esci- our Commissioners
fory'^ visitation of our Colony of Conecticott.
Charles R.

1. You shall apply the first article of your Instructions to tlie Massacliusetts & whatsoever
else occurs to you as proper to be used, both to those of Conecticot and of the other Provinces,
as your perticular directions to them ; our care and afiection being alike for all ; and you wall
therefore fitt your expressions of our grace and favour accordingly.

2. You shall take the best meanes you can to informe yo'^selves of tlie temper of those of
Conuecticott both before you goe to them, and after ; that you may know the full difiererice
between them and the Massachusetts, both in their Civill and Ecclesiasticall estate. Wee
conceive those of Conecticott to contrive themselves under the most rigid Presbiterian
Government, soe that you will find their neighbors free enough of their censures of them :
all of which you will make noe other use of then for your owue information how to gotem
yo'selves ; makeing the same declaration to them and to all ^ rest, of your fimie resolution to
defend and maintain their Charter, without the least restraining them in the free exercise of
their religion, but insisting with them, as with the rest, that all the rest who dissent from them,
may have the like liberty without' undergoing any disadvantages with reference to their ci\ill
interest but that they enjoy the same priviledges with the rest.

3. You shall putt M"^ Winthropp (if hee be still Governor there, of whome wee have had a
good opinion) in mind of the differences which were on foot here, upon the pretences of those of
Rhode Island, when he sollicited the dispatch of their Charter, and the severall debates which
arose thereupon before our Chancellor of England & before persons appointed by him to
accommodate the same, and that the said Charter afterward passed our Great Seale, rather upon
the good opinion and confidence wee had in the said M"' Winthropp, then that the differences
were composed upon the Boundaries and limmits of the severall Colonies, and some expressions
in the said Charter ; Wee then declareing that since there was a difference in matter of fact,
between the relafcrs, we could make noe cleare determination of the right, but that wee resolved
to send Commissioners into those parts, who upon the place should settle all differences and
pretences upon the Bounds and Limmits of each Colonie, and the said M' Winthropp then
promising that we should find the same submission to any alteration at that t3m3e, and upon
such a visitation, as if no Charter were then passed to them ; w^iich wee cannot but expect at
their hands.

4. You shall use all possible endeavours, first by private enquiry and then by publick
examination, to informe yom-selves of what was heretofore done about the year 1644. from the
Cheife Sachim & other the Princes of a large tract of gi-ovmd about the Narragansett Bay, who
as we are informed did about that tyme by a formal} instrument under their hands and seales,
transferre that their Countrey to our Royall Father, for his protection, and became his subjects ;
which authentick instrument remains still in the hands of Samuell Gorton, John Wicks and
Randall Houlden, who mhabite at or neare Warwicke in Road Island. If upon examination you
find this information wee have received to bee true and that we have indeed a good title to that

56 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

territory ; You shall tiiid some way to lett those iSaclams or their heires know, that wee have given
you special! direction to examine any injuries done to them by our subjects, and that you are
ready to receive any informacon they shall give you to that piu'pose, and thereupon to doe them
justice, and that wee will always protect them from any oppression; &: if you have cleare proofe
that in truth these territoryes are transferred to us, j'ou shall seize upon the same in our Name,
and the same tract of land shall bee hereafter called the King's Province, and all persons who
are possessed of any habitations therein shall continue in the same without any disturbance,
upon the annual payment of such small aclviiowledgement as may entitle them to hold of us as
om- tennants. And wee doe authorize you to grant the same estates they now hold, under sucn
small reservacons and acknowledgements and in such foniies as they desire ; wee not haveing
the least purpose to question or take advantage of their title, whatsoever our right shall fall
out to bee.

5. You shall informe yourselves in this, as well as in all the other Colonies (for as wee told
you before whatsoever instruction is given you with reference to one Colony and is applicable
by y^ same reason to the rest, you shall persue the same) what encroachments are made by any
forreigners French Dutch, or of any other nation, of any tracts of laud, within the circuits
possessed by us or our subjects by any grant from us, to the end that wee may give speedy
ord»rs for reduceing them to our obedience as our subjects, or removing them out of those places
they injuriously possesse ; and you shall present to us (upon conference and advice with our
Governour and Coimcill there) what are the best and most ettectuall wayes to bring that our
resolution to passe, if you are not able to effect y'^ same before you retunie, which wee hope you
will doe and that our good subjects of that and our- other Colonies will give you their utmost
assistance to that good end and purpose.

6. You shall make diligent enquiry what Letters Patents have at any tpne been granted by
our Grandfather King James, our Fatiier ol' blessed memory or our selfe, of any lands in any of
y^ Colonies there to perticular persons and to there owne perticular benefit, and how the lands
soe granted to them are possessed and cultivated ; to the end that if they have not persued y'
intention of the said grants, wee may avoyde the same : it being our pm-pose not only for the
future to grant uoe such grants of more lands then the person to whome the same is granted
can in due time cultivate and plant, but legally to avoid and repeale such grants which prove so
prejudicial! and inconvenient to our subjects there and to our service in hindering the Plantation.

7. You shall infonne yourselves in that and the other Colonies, vrhat iron wftrkes are already
erected there and wliat conveniences tliere are to erect others in convenient places, what the
oare is, and whether' the iron and Steele there bee of good temper for shipps and such uses,
whether y" timber of tlaose parts be good for that purpose & growes neare the sea where proper
docks may be made that soe upon a true representation to us thereof wee shall take such further
resolution as may bee fitt for our service and for the advancement of those our Plantations.

8. You shall informe yourselves in that and y" other Provinces, whether there have been at any
tjane or yet are, any mines of Gold or Silver discovered & workeing there, and what hath
arisen from thence ; to the end that wee may receive an accompt ot the filth part thereof, which
by their Charter is reserved to us.

Given at our Court at Whitehall the
23* day of Aprill 1G(JI. in the sixteenth
yeare of our lleigne.

By Ills Ma""' command

Hexky Bennett.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I. • 57

Private Instructiom to Coll. li. 2sicolU- cCc.

t New England, I. ISC. ]

Instructions to our trusty and welbeloved Coll. Richard Nicolls S"" Robert Carre
Kn' George Cartwright Esq"' and Sainuell Mavericke Esq. Commissioners
employed by us to our Plantations in America in and about New England to
be considered and communicated only betweene themselves.
Charles R.
1 Though the maine end and drift of yo"' employm' is to inforaie yourselves and us of the
true and whole state of those severall Colonies and by insinuateing }rourselves by all kind and
dextrous carriage into the good opinion of y^ principall persons there, that soe you may ( after
a full observation of the hmnour and interest both of those in governm' and those of the best
quality out of governm* and, generally, of the people themselves) lead and dispose them to
desire to renew their Charters and to make such alterations as will appeare necessary for their
owue benefit : — Yet you may informe all men that a great end of your designe is the possessing
Long Island, and reduceing that people to an entyre submission and obedience to us & our
governement, now vested by our grant and Commission in our Brother the Duke of Yorke, and
by raising forts or any other way you shall judge most convenient or necessary soe to secure
that whole trade to our subjects, that the Dutch may noe longer ingrosse and exercise that
trade which they have wrongfully possessed themselves of ; that whole territory being in our
possession before they, as private persons and without any authority from their superiors and
against y^ lawe of Nations and the good intelligence and allyance between us and their superiors,
invaded and have since wrongfully obteyned the same, to the prejudice of our Crowne and
Dignity, and therefore ought in justice to be resumed by us, except they will entyrely submitt
to our goverment and live there as our good subjects under it ; and in that case you shall lett
them knowe both by pi'ivate significations and treatyes or by any publicke declaration sett out
by you in our name, — That wee will take them into our protection, and that they shall continue
to enjoy all their possessions ( Forts only excepted ) and the same freedome in trade with our
other good subjects in those parts. And as you will need the assistance of our other colonies
towards this reduction, soe wee conceave they will all for their ow^le interest bee ready to
engage with you herein.

2. This being the case, and the prosecution of that designe being not absolutely in your owne
power in respect of wind and weather, wee leave it entirely to your discretion whether you
choose to goe first upon Long Island, which seems most reasonable to designe in respect of the
troops you carry, or to New England, resolveing to approve of what you doe in that perticular,
lett the successe bee what it will, and if it please God you have the successe wee hope for upon
Long Island, you will improve the consideration of the benefit thereof to all the Colonies^ and
how much happier they are by our care in the removeing such ill neighbours from them, at our
owne cost and charges.

3. You are to use great dilligence together in the careful and exact perusall of the first and
second Charter, granted by our Royall Father for the undertaking and settling those plantations,
and any other Charters which have been granted to any perticular Colonies by our father and
ourselfe, or the late usurping powers ; to the end that upon the full consideration thereof, & if

Vol. in. 8 •

58 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

any diflicultys arise upon doubtfiill or contradictor}' expressions, you may ej-ther by resorting to
our Councill at Lawe in some points, and to our Secretary of State in other, receave full and
cleare information & directions, and you must bee the more conversant and tuUy infonned of all
contained in the said Charters (of which you ought to carry authentick Coppyes -unth you)
because y' ground and foundation of your employment is the exact observation of the Charters
and reduceing to that rule whatsoever hath swerved from it. Besides you will thereby observe
all those clauses in the severall Charters which are either too short and restrained & the
enlargeing thereof would bee for the publick benefit of the plantacon ; or such other inconvenient
ones, as for our dignity and authority should bee altered by a generall consent and desire.
Amongst which it were to bee wished that y' severall Goveniom-s should hold their places three
or five yeares and that before the midle of the last yeare three names should be sent over and
presented to us, that one of them might be chosen by us for the next Goveniour which we
should as well approve and would be more easily consented to, then the remitting the entyre
choice to us.

■4. You are with the like dilligence and care to peioise the collection of the lawes published in
those Colonies during the late usurping Government, or at any tyme before or since ; to the end
that upon examination thereof you may discenie both the indecent expressions and niateriall
and important points and determinations in them, w'hich are contrary to our dignity and to the
lawes and customes of this realme, and to the justice thereof; all which they have obliged
themselves to cancell and repeale ; and if the same bee not already done, you are in the first
place to cause it to be done, especially and perticularly that the oaths enjoyned by the severall
Charters be taken, and the administration of justice be performed in our name.

5. Since the great and principall ends of all those who first engaged themselves in those
Plantacons in which they have spent much tyme and money, was liberty of concience, and the
same is expressely provided for in the first and subsequent Charters as they could desire to be
done, and the observation and preservation thereof is our very hearty purpose and determination :
You are to bee very carefidl amongst yourselves and with all persons who have any relation to,
or dependance upon any of you, that nothing be said or done, from or by which the people there
may thinke or imagine that there is any purpose in us to make any alteration in the Church
Goverment or to introduce any other forme of worshipp among them then what they have
chosen : all our exception in that particular being that they doe in trath deny that liberty of
conscience to each other, which is equally provided for and granted to every one of them by
their charter : all which you will find wee have more at large taken notice of in om- letter of
the 28"" June 1G62, a coppy whereof is delivered to you, and of which you shall in due season,
and when you are well acquainted with them, dexterously take notice, and presse the execution
and observacon of the same, according to the Charter. And that you may not give any umbrage
or jealousy to them in matters of religion, as if you were at least enimyes to fonnes obseiTed
amongst them, you shall do well to frequent their churches and to be present at their devotion,
though wee doe suppose and thinke it very fitt that you carry with you some learned and
discreet Cha])hune, orthodox in his judgement and practice, who in your owne familyes will
reade the Booke of Connnoii I'rayer & performe your devotion according to y* tonne established
in the Chm-cli of England, excepting only in wearing the surplesse which haveing never bin seen
in those countryes, may conveniently be forborne att this tyme, when the principall busynesse
is, by all good expedients, to unite and reconcile persons of very different judgements and
practice in all things, at least which conceme the peace & prosperity of those people and their
joint submission and obedience to us and our goverment.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I. 59

6". Since it is very notorious that there are not only very great factions and animosit_yes in one
Colony against the other, but in one and y^ same Colony betwene persons of difterent opinions
in religion, so that it is very probable all discontented persons will make application to you
according to their severall humours and interest ; it will conceme you to be very warj' in your
conversation, that being sent as persons equall to determine controversyes amongst them, you
may not bee thought to enclyne to a party, or to bee yourselves engaged in their passions and
appetite, and you must principally guard yoiurselves against two sorts of people (till upon the
severall informations you shall receive, and by your own observation and experience you can
make some judgement of their sincerity) that is not to seeme too ibrward in concuiTing with
them in whatsoever they propose. The first is, they that pretend to have a great prejudice
against the forme of Religion there professed, and as great a zeale for the establishing the Booke
of Common Prayer, and it may bee the Episcopacy itselfe, and the whole discipline of the
Chmxh of England.

The second is, they who will appeare soliciteous to advance our proffit and to settle a present
revenue upon the Crowne ; which they will suppose may bee looked upon as such an
unquestionable instance of their affection to us and om- service, that it will give them credit and
advantages in all their pretences.

To the first of these, after you have used them with kindnesse and encouragement to bee
present when they please at your private devotions, you shall let them know that you have
noe order from us, ( for many of those overtures may be made only for discovery of your
intentions ) to make the least attempt, or to encourage alteration in the way they profi:esse of
religion ; for though nobody can doubt but that wee could looke upon it as the greatest blessing
God Almighty can conferre upon us in this world that Hee would reduce all our subjects in
all our dominions to one faith and one way of worship with us ; yet wee could not imagine it
probable that a confederate number of persons, who separated themselves from their ovvaie
countrey and the religion estabhshed, principally ( if not only ) that they might enjoy another
way of worship, presented or declared unto them by theire owne consciences, could in soe short
a tyme be willing to retume to that forme of service they had forsaken ; and therefore that
wee had been soe farre from giveing you any direction to promote or countenance any alteration
in the religion practised there, that you have expresse order to the contrary. But if they only
insisted upon the liberty granted them by their Charter, and that they would provide peaceably
for the exercise of their religion in the forme they best liked, without troubling or reproaching
those who dissent from them, and only desire that this libertie of conscience might produce noe
prejudice to them in their civill interests or relation to the Government: — You may lett them
know that it is no more than what wee have already recommended to the Govemour and
Councill by our former letters, and wherein you will doe them all the offices within your power.

Butt even in this point wee conceive you should proceed very warily and not enter upon it, till
you have made some progresse in your lesse difficult busynesse ; and indeed you should rather
advise those who seeme to bee serious and hearty in that desire that they cause it to be first
proposed and sett on foot in the Generall Assembly that shall bee called, then any way touched
upon, before the present Govemour & Comicill, and promise them your utmost assistance there,
in the promoteing any thing for their ease which will not evidently disturbe the peace of the
countrey.

To the second sort of people which will be active in many projects for our proffit and
benifitt, vou must not bee forwards too much, since most overtures of that kind are but ayrey

60 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

imaginations, & cannot bee put in practise by our owns imediate power and authority, without
manifest violation of their Charter which wee resolve to keep observe and maintaine.

Upon those discourses therefore you shall declare that you have no direccon to make any
attempt of that kind, without there appeare a good & voluntary inclination to that purpose in the
Generall Assembly, which probably may find it convenient to make some newe desires and
proposicons to us lor their benefitt, and in lieu thereof inay make some grants and concessions to
us : and in truth it will not be rationall for you to appeare solicitous to make any change in the
matters of Religion, or to make any attempt to bring any change to that people, except both
arise amongst themselves in the Gen" Assembly, and then you shall give such countenance to it
as you shall judge necessary for our service.

7. You shall as soon as you are arrived and have delivered our letters to the Governour and
Councill presse them tluat a Generall Assembly may be convened as soon as may be according
to our letter to them.

And because much of the good wee expected from your jom-ney depends upon the wisdome
and fidelity of that Assembly, you shall use your utmost endeavours privately, and by those
means which are most proper and without ofience, to gett men of the best reputation and
most peaceably inclined, to be chosen into that Assembly, and then according to the interest
and credit you have, give them all advice and encouragem' to promote our service, and then you
shall informe them of the great affection wee have for them, and that wee looke upon them with
the same fatherly care as if they lived in the centre of eyther of our kingdomes.

You shall shew them the coppy of the letter and addresse made to us by the Governour and
Comicill after our happy returne into England, and of om- answer to that Addresse, as likewise
what wee have now writ to y^ Govemom- and Councill there ; all which wee directed you to
communicate, to the end that wee may receive their advice and information how wee may advance
the happjnaess of that our people. And in order hereunto you are ready to conferre with them
upon all perticulars relateing to your negotiation or to the end thereof, and soe you are to
behave yourselves towards them as you find may most conduce to the end of your employment.

8. Besides the generall disposeing that people to an entyre submission and obedience to our
governm* which is their owme greatest security in respect of their neighbours and leading them
to a desire to renew their Charters, which in many respects ought to bee desired by tJiem ; there
are two points wee could heaitily wish should be gained upon them.

The first that wee may have ( as wee expressed before ) the nomination of the Governour, or
approbation.

The other, that the Militia should bee putt under an officer nominated or recommended by us ;
and it may bee, if they will consider their Charter, they will not find that they have in tnith,
the disposall of their owne Militia as they imagine.

But how to approach to those two points wee cannot tell, butt must leave it to your skill &
dexterity, after you have enough conversed with them and know the principall leading men of
the severall partyes. In the meane tyme wee should looke upon it as a good omen, if they might
bee soe wrought upon at y"= Generall Assembly as that Coll. Nicolls might bee chosen by
themselves for their present Governour and Collonell Cartwright for their INIajor Generall.

All designes of proffit for the present seeme unseasonable and may possibly obstruct the
more necessary designe upon their obedience and loyalty, if they shall apprehend that it cost
them money ; soe that it should not be affected farther ( except the Generall Assembly appeare

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 61

to have other franknesse then wee can reasonably expect ) then to settle some annuall tribute
of y« growth of that country, as masts, come, and fish, to bee presented to us, as was intimated,
by the two messengers employed hither, to bee their purpose to doe.

9. In the last place. Wee doe enjoyne & command you, as you will answer to the contrary,
to live with entyre confidence and kindnesse in and towards each other, which can only support
the credit and reputation of your trust & employment. That you constantly communicate
too-ether what eyther of you hath collected upon private intercourses or information from
perticuler persons, and that thereupon in all your Councills you acquiesse with the judgement
of the major part (except it bee expressely contrary to our Instructions, and in which wee have
not left you a latitude to doe according to your discretion) and pursue it accordingly, and that
you are not transported by any private consideration of proffit or friendship to swerve from the
right rule of advanceing our service. And wee shall be more sensible of any error of this kind,
then of any other misfortune that may bring inconvenience to our service in your employment.

Our other Instructions for your procedings in the severall Colonies you shall communicate as
you see cause, and as you enter upon the severall perticulars, as at your first audience you
shall doe well to tell them, that instead of entertaining them of any discourse of your owne,
you will deliver them the copy of your first Instructions, and shall deliver it them accordingly.

Given at our Court at Whitehall this
23'* day of Aprill 1664 in the le"- yeare of

our Reigne.

By His Ma''" command

Henry Bennett.

Charles lid. to iJie Governor & Cowneil of the Massachusetts.

[ Trade Papers, State Paper Office, XVI. 7 ; New England Papers, I. 196. ]

To the Governo'- and Councel of the Massacheusets in New England.

Trusty &^ We greet you well. Having taken very much to heart the welfare and advancement
of those our plantations in America and particularly that of New England which in truth hath
given a good example of industry and sobriety to all the rest, whereby God hath blessed it
above the rest ; and having in our royall breast a tender impatience to make use of God's
extraordinary blessing upon it and our subjects in those parts, by the improving the knowledg of
Him and of his holy name, in the conversion of infidels and pagans (which ought to be the
chief end of all christian plantations) wee have thought fitt, since we cannot in person visit those
our so farr distant dominions, the good government whereof and the due administration of Justice
wherein, we do notwithstanding know to be as much our duty as that which concemes our
nearest kingdom, to send such Commissioners thither as may in our name visit the same, and
after having taken a view of the good government there and received full infonnation of the
true state and condition of that our plantation and of their neighbors on all sides, and a due
consideration of what farther addition of happinesse may be made by our royall grace and favour
to those our people, may represent the same at their retume to us, in such a manner as wee
may in a manner even behold and take a view our selfe of those our dominions and our good
subjects there, and thereby make the better judgment what we are to do, either for the better

62 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

reparing of any thing tliat is aniisse, or tlie better improving and encouragement of what is good.
And as wee liave liad this resolution and purpose ever since om- first arrivall in England to send
Commissioners thither, as is well known to the Commissioners that came Irom thence to us,
so we have had many reasons occurrent since to confirme us in that resolution and to hasten
this execution thereof, some of which we think fitt to mention to yow.

1 To discountenance and, as much as in us lyes, to suppresse and utterly extinguish those
uni'easonable jealousys and malicious calumnies, which wicked and unquiet spirits perpetually
labour to infuse into the minds of men, that our subjects in those parts do not submitt to our
government but look upon themselves as independent upon us and our laws, and that we have
no confidence in their atlections and obedience to us : all which lewd aspersions must vanish
upon this our extraordinary and fatherly care towards those our subjects manifested in the
severall instructions given to our Commissioners, which shall by them be communicated unto
you, and which will exceedingly advance the reputation and security of our plantations there,
and our good subjects thereof with all forreigne Princes and States, when they shall hereby
plainly disceme that we do look upon any injury done to them as done to our selfe, and upon
any invasion of our dominion in those parts, or of the priviledges of our subjects thereof, and
that we will resent & vindicate the same accordingly.

2. That all our good subjects there may know, as we have formerly assured them by our
gracious letters, how farr we are from the least intentions or thoughts of violating or in the least
degree infringing y* charter heretofore granted by our Royal Father, or restraining the liberty
of conscience thereby allowed ; which as we do acknowledg to be granted by our said Royall
Father of blessed memory, with great wisdome and upon full deliberation, so we have great
reason to believe and to bee assured that the support and maintenance thereof is at present as
necessary as ever. And therefore that (as we have formerly expressed to you) we are very
willing to confirme or renew the said Charter, and to enlarge the same with such other & fuller
concessions as (upon experience you have had and observation you have made) yon judge
necessary or convenient for the good and benefit of that our Plantation.

3. That all differences may be composed which are risen betwixt our severall Collonies upon
the bounds and limits of 3 severall Provinces ; and upon the exercise of their 3 severall
jurisdictions, wherof we have received much information and severall complaints, it being as
much in our desire to preserve and improve a good intelligence and correspondence between all
our good subjects of those severall Colonies and Provinces between and towards each other,
as to unite them all in a joynt dependance and firme loyalty to om* selfe ; which will be best
done by a full and clear determination of the extent and bomids of each Province and their
jurisdiction, in which some confusion hath fallen out as we are informed, by some contradictious
or doubtfull expressions in severall letters patents, upon the wrong information or unskilful!
description of places by persons concerned there to prosecute such grants, which mistakes and
errors could not be discovered here : all which will be easily reconciled by our Commissioners
upon the place, either by and with the consent of all partys or by a just determination upon
the matter of right or representation to us in cases of difficulty.

4. That we may receive full and particular information of the state and condition of the
neighbor Princes to our severall Colonies, from some of whom we have received addresses of
great respect and civility not without some complaint, or at least insinuation of some injustice
or hard measure exercised towards them from our Colonies : To which Princes we have
appointed some of our Commissioners, if upon information or advice there they shall find it

LOiXDON DOCUMENTS : I. ' ' 63

necessary for the advancement of our service and the benefit of oiu' said plantation, to repaire in
person in our name and to assure tliem of all friendship from us, and that we will protect them
from injustice and oppression.

5. That we may protect our subjects of our severall plantations from the invasions of their
neighbours and provide that no subjects of our neighbour nations, how allied soever with us,
may possess themselves of any lands or rivers within our territoryes & dominions, as we are
informed the Dutch have lately done, to the prejudice of our good subjects of those our
plantations and to the obstructions of the trade, which in time may prove very mischievous
to our good subjects there. And therefore we cannot but be confident that when our
Commissioners have imparted unto you our pleasure in this particular and the benefit &
advantage which with God's blessing must accrew to your selves from the same besides the
preventing many growing inconveniencies to your peace and prosperity, you will jojm and
assist them "vigorously in recovering our right in those places now possessed by the Dutch and
reducing them to an entii-e obedience & submission to our Government. In which case our
desire and pleasure is that they should be treated as neighbours & fellow subjects, and enjoy
quietly what they are possest of by their honest industry.

6. Lastly we thought it better that Commissioners should confer with you upon the matter
of our former letter of June 22. 1662. and your answer thereunto of the 25"' of November
following, then to enlarge our selfe upon our exceptions thereunto, of W^*" we shall only say
that the same did not answer our expectations, nor the professions made by your said Messengers :
but we make no doubt but that, when our Comm" shall confer at large with you upon those
particulars, you will give us satisfaction in all we look for at your hands which is nothing but
what your Charter obliges you to do, and which is most necessary for the support of our
government there and consequently for the welfare and happinesse of those Colonies.

Having now imparted to you the most important reasons which prevailed with us to be at
this extraordinary charge in sending Commissioners to visite those Colonies and having chosen
persons of known affection to our service and of long experience, to be our Commissioners, to
the ends aforesaid ; we do not doubt at all but you will receive and treat them in such a manner
and with such respect as is due to persons so imploy'd by us, and that you will freely communicate
all things to them which shall be necessary for the better carrying on our service, and that you
will give them your best counsail and assistance for the better bringing those things to passe
which we have recommended to them. And to that purpose and that the clear end and
intention in sending those our Commissioners may speedily appear and be made manifest to all
our subjects in those parts, our pleasure is that this our letter be forthwith upon the receipt
thereof communicated to our Councell there, and that within 20 days or sooner if it may be, a
Generall Assembly be called and this our letter read to them, and to the end our Commissioners
may recive their infonnation and advice in many things. And so expecting a full compliance
to all those our desires wherein the happiness of that our Colonie is so much concerned. Wee
bid you farewell Given &" the 2-3'' April 1664.
To the Go vemour of the Colonie

of the Mattacheusetts to be com- ' • .

municated to the Councell there. ' ....

g4 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Commission to Coll. Nicolls cfc others to visit the Colonies and detwmine Complaints.

[Ucw England, I. 194.]

Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland,
Defender of the Faith &c. To all to whorae these presents shall come Greeting. Whereas wee
have received severall Addresses from our subjects of severall Collonies in New^ England, all full
of duty and affection, and expressions of loyalty and allegiance to us, with their humble desires
that wee would renews their severall Charters and receive them into our favourable opinion
and protection, & severall of our Colonies there and other our loveiug subjects have likewise
complayned of differences and disputes arisen upon the lymmitts and bounds of their severall
Charters and Jurisdictions, whereby unueighbourly and unbrotherly contentions have and may
arise, to the dammage and discredit of the English interests, and that all our good subjects
resideing there and being planters within the severall Colonies doe not enjoy the libertyes and
priviledges granted to them by our severall Charters upon confidence and assurance of which
they transported themselves and their Estates into those parts. And wee having received
some addresses from the Create Men & Natives of those Countryes, in which they complaine of
breach or faith and of acts of violence and injustice which they have been forced to undergoe
from our subjects ; whereby not only our governeraent is traduced, but the reputation and credit
of Christian Religion brought into prejudice and reproach with the Gentiles & inhabitants of
those countries who know not God, the reduction of whome to the true knowledge and feare of
God, is the most worthy and glorious end of all those Plantations. Upon all which motives
and as an evidence and manifestation of our fatherly affection towards all our subjects in
those severall Colonies of New England (that is to say) of the Massachusets, Conecticot, New
Plymouth, Road Island and the Providence plantation, and all other plantacons within that tract
of land knowne under the appellation of ^&\n England. And to the end that wee may bee
truly informed of the state and condition of our good subjects there, that soe wee may the
better know how to contribute to the further improvement of their happynesse and prosperity :
Knowe yee therefore that wee reposeing especiall trust and confidence in the fidelity
wisdome and circumspection of our trusty and wellbeloved Coll. Richard Nicolls, S"' Robert
Carre Kn' George Cartwright Esq"' and Samuell Maverick Esq"" of our especiall grace, certaine
knowledge and meer motion have made ordained constituted and appointed, and by these
presents doe make ordayne, constitute and appoint the said Coll. Richard Nicolls, Sir Robert
Carre, George Cartwright and Samuell Maverick our Commissioners. And doe hereby give
and grant unto them or any three or two of them, or of y"^ survivors of them (of whom wee
will the said Coll. Richard Nicolls during his life shall bee alwayes one, and upon equall
division of opinions to have y^ casting and decisive voyce) in our name to visite all and every
the severall Colonies aforesaid and also full power and authority to heare & receive and to
examine and determine all complaints and appeals in all cases and matters as well military as
criminall and civill, and proceed in all things for the provideing for and settling the peace
and security of the said country, according to their good and sound discretion, and to such
instructions as they or the survivors of them have or shall from tyme to tyme receive from us in
that behalfe, and from tyme to tyme as they shall find expedient to certify us or our Privy
Councill of their actings and proceedings touching the premises. And for the doing thereof or
any other matter or thing reiateing thereunto, these presents or the inrollement thereof shall be

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 65

unto them and every of tliem a sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalfe. In Witxesse

whereof wee have caused these our letters to be made Patents. Witnesse OurseUe at

Westminster tlie So"" day of April! in the sixteenth yeare of our Reigne

Barkeii.

Mr. Maveriche to Captain Breedon.

[ New York Papers, Board of Trade. I. 8. ]

Capt" Breedon,

It hath pleased God, (after a tedious voyage of neare ten weekes time) That two of our ships
arrived here this afternoon at Pascataway where wee hourely expect our other two. The Guiney
comanded by Capt" Hyde wee lost this day se'night, and Capt" Hill with the Elyas on Sunday

last ;

It hapned, that as wee were ready to come in, There went out from hence a Pinck, taken as
a prize by a ship of Jamaica, but by authority from the Goveruo'' of the Messachusetts, the prize
was as I understand seized upon and those that hrst tooke her, secured as prisoners by Capt"
Oliver, & carryed for Boston. I shall desire you to repaire to the GoV & Councell, and advise
them to take care how they dispose of such things as may bee out of their bounds, and not fit
for them to take cognisance of his Majestyes Commissioners being at length come into these
parts (of whom you know mee to be one). I cannot now tell you the time and place, I long to
see you at, our stay here being only for a little water & our other shipps, which if they come
not in time, we must go to our appointed port in Long Island, from whence you shalbee sure

to heare further from . . . ,

S' your very lovmge Iriend

Pascataway Samuel Mavericke.

July 20, 1664.
To Capt. Thomas Bi'eedon
at Boston.
A letter at the same time was sent to W Jordan from M^ Mavericke, only intima':ing his
arrivall, & desire to see him with the first opportunity.
Another to Major Gen" Denison to the same effect,
I have not the copy of these.

Mr. Mavericke to the Hon. William Coventy, Esq.

[ New York Papers, Board of Trade. I. 8. ]

Sir,

Arriving here yesterday, I was willing to embrace this first oppertunity to present my humble

service to you, & acquaint you w-ith the particulars of our voyage hither. SS its almost ten

weekes, since wee came out of Portsmouth Roade, for the first fifteene or sixteene dayes, wee

had as good wind & weather, as could bee desired ; Ever since which time, wee have uot only

Vol. III. 9

66 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

met with crosse winds, but very bad weather ; yet all our ships kept company till the 13"" day
of this month, when by reason of very gi-eat Foggs wee lost company of the Guiney, & since
the le"" day wee have not seen the Elyas. Contraiy winds driving us upon these Coasts, wee
were willing to put in here, as well to recruite ourselves with water (which wee begim much
to want) as in expectacon to meete or heare of the rest of oiu' Fleete, who probably will come
in to this harbo"', j^et if they come not suddenly, our stay here wilbee but litle, but shall hasten
for Long Island. S"", I have more then hopes, all things in these parts will prove very
sucessfull for His ^laj'^' & His Royall Hignesses service & interest of which, I have already
received great testymonyes, for their coutinuall prosperity and happiness. My prayers and
utmost endeavours shall never bee wantinge.

I shall not jjresume to give you further trouble at this time but to subscribe

S'' Your most hmnble Servant

Samuel Mavehicke.
Pascataway
July 21. 1664.

These to the Hon'''' William Coventy Esq""^

present.

Mr. (km- and Mr. Maveriche to Mr. John Rivhhell.

[ New-York Papers, nnard of Trade. I. 4. ]

Mr Rickbell.

Wee shall desire you to mals.e.all convenient haste to your liabitacon in Long Island & by
the way as you passe through the Countrey and when you come hither, that you acquaint such
as you thinke tlie King's Comission" wilbee welcome to & are affected for his Majestyes service,
that some of us are arrived here, & shall all suddenly bee in Long Island where wee hope they
wilbee ready as in other places to promote his Maj''' interest, their readines & affection shalbee
much taken notice of, and your care and Incouragement bee acknowledged by

Your very lovinge friends

Robert Carr
Pascataway Samuel Maverick.

July SS-i 1664.

to M" John Rickbell, these.
A warrant under tlie same hands to presse a horse for M'' Rickbell if occasion should bee, bee
paying for the hire.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. * 67

Col. Nicolls to the Governor and Coancll of Boston.

[New Englauii, 1. 'VH. ]

To the Govern'' and Councill of Boston.
Gentlemen.

1 have herewith sent yow a copy of a Comission from the I/'' Commissioners of Prizes
wherein I am empowered as one of tlie Sub-Comissioners for A'ew England whilst His Ma'^ shall
be in hostility with the Dutch. In prosecution of the trust reposed in mee as Sub-Comissioner
I am oblig'd to give yow advertisement hereof, and that yow will please to give strict order in all
your ports from time to time that seizure be made of all and every Dutch ship vessell or goods
belonging to the States of the United Provinces of the ?\etlierlands their subjects or inhabitants
within any of their dominions, as also if any prizes shall be brought into any of your ports by
any persons comissionated thereunto by his R. H' the Duke of Yorke, that yow will please to
cause the same to be preserv'd entire without imbezlement, with all their papers, bills of lading
or other writinges, untill such a legall prosecution can be made as is directed by His Ma^"
authority to the L"** Comissi oners, and given at large in their Lp' instructions to mee and Capt.
Phillip Carteret, as Sub-Comissiouers in N. England ; wherein your assistance and concurrence
is requisite for His Ma''" service, as also that some able and fitting persons be chosen in your
Colony to sitt as a Court of Admiralty when occasion presents. Be pleased also to remitt unto
me Yo"' proceedings herein, according to the resolutions yow shall take ; and if in this or any
other quality I can render myselfe serviceable to yourselves you may comand mee as

[ About July, ] 1664. Yo-- aff" lumible Sen-ant

' • ■ R. Nicolls.

Articles between Col. Cartwright and the Neio Yorh Indians.

[ Xcw England, I. 201. ]

Articles made and agreed upon the Si"" day of September 1664 in Fort Albany
between Ohgehando, Shanarage, Soachoenighta, Sachainackas of y= Maques ;
Anaweed Conkeeherat Tewasserany, Aschanoondah, Sachamakas of the
Synicks, on the one part; and Colonell George Cartwright, in the behalf of
Colonell Nicolls Govemour under his Royall Highnesse the Duke of Yorke
of all his territoryes in America, on the other part, as followeth, viz' —

1 Imprimis. It is agreed that the Indian Princes above named and their subjects, shall have all
such wares and conmiodities from the English for the future, as heretofore they had from the Dutch.

2. That if any English Dutch or Indian (under the proteccon of the Enghsh) do any wTong
injury or violence to any of y' said Princes or their subjects in any sort whatever, if they
complaine to the Governo"" at NewYorke, or to the Officer in Clieife at Albany, if the person
so offending can be discovered, that person shall receive condigne punishm' and all due satisfaccon
shall be given ;, and the like shall be done for all other English Plantations.

3. That if any Indian belonging to any of the Sachims aforesaid do any wrong injury or
damage to the English, Dutch, or Indians imder the protection of the English, if complaint be

68

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCEIPTS.

made to y' Sachims and the person be discovered who did the injury, then the person so
offending shall be punished and all just satisfaccon shall be given to any of His Ma"" subjects in
any Colony or other English Plantacon in America.

4. The Indians at Wamping and Espachomy and all below the Manhatans, as also all those
that have submitted themselves iinder the proteccon of His Ma"^ are included in these Articles
of Agreement and Peace ;

In confirmacon whereof the partyes above menconed have liereunto sett their hands the day
and yeare above written

In the presence of

George Cartwkight

Caw I

K

T. Willett
John Manning
Tho. Breedon
Dan. Broadhead

C Smith John
\ liis inarke

( Stephen an Indian
) his marke

These Articles following wer likewise proposed by the same Indian Princes
& consented to by Colonell Cartwright in behalfe of Colonell Nicolls the 25""
day of September 1GG4.

1 That the English do not assist the three Nations of the Ondiakes Pinnekooks and
Pacamtekookes, who murdered one of the Princes of the Maques, when he brought ransomes &
presents to them upon a treaty of peace.

2. That the English do make peace for the Lidian Princes, with the Nations down the River.

3. That they may have free trade, as formeily.

4. That they may be lodged in houses, as formerly.

5. That if they be beaten by the three Nations above n:>enc6ned, they may receive
accommodacon from y' English.

Col. Nicolls to tJie Secretary of State.

[ state Paper Office, TraJe Papers. XVI. i2. ]

Fort James in New Yorke
this day of October 1664.
Right Hon"'

Since my last by Capt. Hill and Capt. Groves here is arrived Capt. Hyde, to whose more ample
relation of the reducing Delaware Bay, I must referre my selfe. My instructions to Sir Rob'
Carr tooke the effect which was design'd, for by a distinct ti-eaty and agreement with the

LONDON DOCmiENTS : I. 69

Sweeds first and then with the Dutch planters and Burgers to secure their estates and Hbertyes,
the Governour was disarmed of their assistance and left to defend his inconsiderable fort with
less than 50 raen, and though he was peremptory upon as good if not better articles then were
granted here, yet his defence was not the same, for the foot company being landed under the
comand of Lieu' Carr and Ensigne Stocke without demurring upon any difficultj' Storm'd the
fort and gain'd it without the losse of a man though the Dutch fired three volleys upon them ;
of the Dutch only thirteen were wounded and three since dead. Within the fort a considerable
cargo is found and some part plunder'd, but I feare the rest is in hucksters hands, for though
S'' Robert Carr sta3'^ed aboard the Guinney whilst his Souldy''^ tooke the fort, he came early
enough to the pillage and sayes tis his owne, being womi by the sword ; but by his favour I
know such accompts must not bee given to His Majestic, and I shall this weeke make a journey
hither, to dispose thereof to his Ma'J" service and uot to private uses. And I cannot but looke
upon it as a gi-eat presumption in S'' Robert Carr who acted there, or at least ought to have
done, as a private Captam to assume to himself the power not onely of appropriating the prize
to himselfe, but of disposing the confiscations of houses farmes and stocks to whom bee doth
thinke fitt, not converting them to the maintenance of the souldyers, whose necessityes there
are so great that many of them are mnu from him into Maryland ; to which inconveniencies
some speedy remedy must bee given. Besides that by S'' Robert CaiT's absence His Maj"*'
comission cannot bee pursued in the severall Colonyes of New England, unless I should leave
New Yorke and thereby put to hazard the security of all at once, contrary to the opinions of
Collonel Cartwright M"' Maverick and all the reason which God hath given me. For wee doe
concurre that wee came to serve His Maj''' and not our owne ends. The better to explaine the
authority which S'' Robert Carr doth usurpe, I have enclosed the comission wee gave him, and
a grant which liee hath made to Cap' Hyde. I do most himibly recomend to your consideration
how few hands wee have to justify what wee have gain'd to His Maj'^" obedience, and no
present maintenance either to officer or souldyer, but such as I either take upon creditt or pay
for out of my owne moneyes, which I brought out of England for my private use and benefitt.

By this expresse sent with Capt. Hyde it will appeare that I had a just confidence in my last
of the successe against the Dutch in Delaware Bay, wherein Capt. Hyde had a considerable
share and is best able to make the narrative, or resolve such questions as shall bee offer'd,
necessary to the settlement thereof.

In discharge of my duty I cannot but repeat over againe the importance of employing
merchants shipps with a great proportion of merchandize suitable to the trade with the Natives
and both English Dutch and Sweedes inhabitants of New Yorke and Delaware Bay, otherwise
His Ma.'^" expences in reducing them will not turne to any account, only that the Dutch have
lost their former trade, by which also many thousands of His Ma"""" subjectes in Virginia
Maryland and New England were furnisht with necessaryes, and will not know how to five
without speedy care be taken from England. It is a businesse of great concerne to His Ma'y
that some considerable merchants should joyne their stocks and dispatch ships, that they may
arrive here in March or April at the furthest. For the loss of Delaware falls upon the tovrae of
Amsterdam, who bought the plantation from the West Indya Company and being proud and
powerfull may probably jojaie vs'ith the same Company next Spring to recover what they have
lost this Autumne, which is the whole trade of Tobacco ; whereat our neighbours of Maryland
are ill pleased, whose affections are much brib'd by their trade with the Dutch and indeed in
some sort overawed with so powerfull a neighbour as the towne of Amsterdam would have

jQ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

proved in a short time ; which was the great motive of the resolution to reduce Delaware,
thereby to assure this place for His Royall Higlmesse. I take it for granted that my Lord
Baltimore will mucli more sollicite His Ma''' to give up Delaware into his LordPfMiands then hee
was solicitous to take it from the Dutch, and that his Lo'"'' will make a faire pretence to it by
his pattent : But I hope that His Ma''' will either looke upon his pattent for Governour as
forfeited by act of Parliament for trading with the Dutch, or at least so much of his pattent as
hath beene reduc'd at His Majesty's charge. All which considerations are humbly submitted to
His Ma'''*^ wisedome, as also that in case (whether by invason or insurrection) the Dutch may
hereafter attempt to recover either New Yorke or Delaware from His Ma""'' obedience, tliat His
Ma'J" will enjojaie all his Colonyes none excepted, under severe peualtyes, to resist and expell
all such foreigners out of these His Majesty's territoryes. The very repute of such a comand
from His Ma'^ will deterre the Dutch from designes of that nature, or at worst render them
ineffectual!.

With the advice of Colonell Cartwright and M'' Maverick I shall depute Capt. Robert Needham
to comand at Delaware Bay, till His Ma''"'' pleasure is further knowne, hoping that His Ma'J"
vnW approve of what is done here, as so man}' effects of the loyalty and obedience of

Honour'd Sir

Yo' most humble Sei-vant

Richard Nicolls.

Contmissicm to Sir Robert Carr to reduce ilte Dutcli.

\ Trade Papers, State Paper Office. S VI. S2. ]

Whereas we are enformed that tlie Dutch have seated tliemselves at Delaware Bay on His
Ma'y of Great Brittaines territoryes, witliout his knowledge and consent, and that they have
fortifyed themselves there and drawne a great trade thither ; and l:)eing assured that if they be
permitted to goe on, the gaining of this place will be of small advantage to His Majesty ; wee
His Majesties Commissioners by vertae of His Ma''' Comission and Instructions to us given,
have advised and determined to endeavour to bring that place and all strangers thereabout in
obedience to His Ahijestjs and by these do order and appoint that His Ma''' frygotts the Guinney
and the William & Nicolas, and all the souldyers which are not in tlie Ibrt, shall with what
speed they conveniently can, goe thither under the comand of S'' Robert Carr to reduce the
same: — Willing and commanding all officers at sea and land and all soldyers to obey the said
S'' Robert Carr during this expedition. Given under our hands and seales at the fort in New
York upon the Isle of Manhatans the 3'' day of September 1G64

Rich : Nicolls
George Cartwright
Samuel Maverick.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I. 71

Agreement hetween Sir Rohert Ckirr and the Dutch and Sweden on Delaware Siver.

[ New- York Pniicrs, I. ISa. ]

Articles of Agreement between the bono''''" Sir Robert Carr Kn' on the bebalfe
of liis jMnj''" of Great Britaine, and the Burgomasters on the bebalfe oi'
themselves and all the Dutch and Swedes inhabiteiug in Delaware Bay and
Delaware River.

1. That all the Burgers and Planters will submitt themselves to his J.Iaj"'"' authority without
making any resistance.

2. That whoever of what nation soever doth submitt to his Maj"" authority shall be protected
m then- Estates reall & personall whatsoever by his Maj"" Lawes and Justice.

3. That the present Magistrates shall be continued in their offices and Jurisdiccdns to exercise
their Civill power as formerly.

4. That if any Dutchman or other person shall desire to depart from this River, that it shall
be lawfull for him soe to doe with his goods withhi six moneths after the date of these Articles.

5. That the Magistrates and all the Inliabitants who are included in these articles shall take
the Oathes of Allegiance to his Maj"^ and of fidelity to the present Government.

6. That all people shall enjoy the liberty of their Conscience in Church Discipline as
formerly.

7. That whoever shall take the Oathes is from that time a free Denizen and shall enjoy all the
Privileges of Trading into any of his Maj""''' Dominions as freely as any Englishman, and may
require a Certificate for soe doing.

8. That the Scoute, the Burgomasters, SherifFe, and other inferiour Magistrates shall use
and exercise their Customary Power in adm''c6n of Justice vdthin their Precincts for Six
Moneths or untill his Maj"" pleasure is further kuowm.

The Oath.
I doe sweare by the Almighty God that I will beare faith and allegiance to his jMaj''"" of great
Brittaine, and that I will obey all such comands as I shall receive from the Govenio% Deputy
Governo'' or other ofticers appointed by his Maj"" authority soe long as I live in these or any other
His Maj"'^ Territoryes.

Given under our hands Given under my hand and

& Seales in the behalfe of Seale this first day of October

ourselves and the rest of in the yeare of oiu- Lord God

the Inhabitants the first 1664 Robert Carr.

day of October in the yeare
of our L'' God 1664.

FFOB OUT HOUT. HeNRY JoIIXSON.

Gerret Saunders van tiel. Lucas Peterson
Hans Block. Henry Cousturier.

72 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Sir jRobert Carr''s grant to Capt. Hyde and Cktpt. Morley,

[ Slate Paper Office, Trade Papers. XVI. 42. ]

Tliis Indenture made the lO* day of Octob"' in the 14"" yeare of the I'eigne of our Soveraigne
Lord King Charles the second by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland,
Defender of the Faith &c. Betweene Sir Robert Carr Kn' of the one party and Hugh Hyde
Esq"" and Thomas Morley, Gent, of the other party, Witnesseth, that whereas His Majesty of
Great Brittaine by his letters Patients granted unto Richard Nicolls Esq" Sir Robert Carr Kn'
George Cartwright and Sanuiell Maverick Esq'^ for y*' settling His Ma''" afiayres in New
England, as also for the reducing the Isle of Manhatans and other adjacent jjlaces under tlie
comand of the Dutch in America unto His Ma"**" obedience ; and whereas the said Richard
Nicolls, George Cartwright and Samuell Maverick in pursuance of His Ma"" instractions have
nominated and appointed S"" Robert Carr Kn' to bee sole and cheife coinander & disposer of the
affayres in the behalfe of His Ma'y of Great Brittaine, of Delaware Bay and Delaware River
with all the lands thereunto belonging : Now the said S"' Robert Carr Kn' having reduced the
said place & places by force, with the assistance of the said Capt. Hugh Hyde Esq. and Capt.
Thomas Morley, and for divers other good causes and considerations done and performed by the
said Hugh Hyde and Thomas Morley, have granted and confirmed & by these presents doe give
grant and coufirme unto the aforesaid Hugh Hyde and Thomas Morley their heyres and assignes
for ever all that tract of land with the appurtenances wliatsoever thereunto belonging or
appertaining knowne or called by the Indyan name of Chipussen and now called by the name
of the mannour of Grimstead, situated near the head of the said River of Delaware in America.
To have and to hold for them and their heyres for ever, and also for the said Hugh Hyde to
have full power for to erect and establish a Court Leete and himselfe to bee Lord of y'^ same
manno"' & court, with all rights priviledges and profitts and freedomes whatsoever to a Lord of
a Manno"' may or can properly belong (Royall mines excepted) The said Hugh Hyde and
Thomas Morley for themselves their heyres executo" Administrato" and assignes doth promise
covenant to and with the said S"' Robert Carr Kn' his successo'' or successo" that they for them
their heyres or assignes shall not act doe suffer or permitt to bee acted or done any thing contrary
to the customary lawes of this place aforesaid. And the said Hugh Hyde and Thomas Morley
each one for themselves doe promise covenant and agree to and with the said S'' Robert Carr
Kn' that they or either of them their heyres or assignes shall and will plant and stock the said
manno'' or cause the same to be planted or stocked within six yeares following the date of these
presents. And the said S'' Robert Carr Kn' doth further covenant to and with the said Hugh
Hyde and Thomas Morley, that hee the said S'' Robert Carr Kn' vdll from time to time and at
all times within the space of six years following the date of these premises make such lett, grant,
assurance and assm-ances, conveyance or conveyances, pattent or patients whatsoever shall bee
thought fitt by counsell learned in the law ; Pro\aded allwayes notwithstanding at their owne
proper costs & charges, and that the said Hugh Hyde and Thomas Morley shall pay due and true
respects and services unto His Ma"" Deputy Govemo"' or Govemo'" which are or shall be according
to the law and custome of the place aforesaid. And the said S'' Robert Carr Kn' doth further promise
and covenant to and with the said Hugh Hyde and Thomas Morley that their heyres and assignes
shall quietly possesse and enjoy all y'' abovementioned premises. And further it is covenanted
and concluded that if the said land be not stocked and inhabited in whole or in part within the

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 7g

space of six yeares, that then it siiall he lawlull lor the said S"' Robert Carr Kn' his successo'' or
successo" to reenter into the said land or premises thus granted ; provided allwaj-es that His
Ma''*' royall assent bee procured by y^ said Hugh Hyde and Thomas jNIorley to confirme tliese
presents. In witness whereof the partyes abovementioned have interchangeably sett their hands
and seales the day and yeare first above said.

liOBEKT Cark.
Sealed and delivered by the

within named S'' Robert Carr
in the presence of us

John Carr

Geo. Colt

Arthur Stock.

iSir Jiobert Carr to Colonel NkoJls.

[ New Englan.l. I. 210. ]

Hon''''^ Sir. ' ' "

After a long and troublesom passage, p'longed b}^ y* ignorance of y'^ pylates and sholeness of
water, we arrived the last day of September att Dellawarr, passing by y" fort w"'out takeing
notice each of the others, the better to sattisfie the Sweede, who, notwithstanding the Dutches
pswasions to y' contrary, were soone our frinds. Afterwards I held a parley w* y* Dutch
Burgurs and Governo"'; the Burgurs & to%\Tiesmen after almost three, dayes parley, consented to
my demands ; but y* Governo"' and soldiery altogether refused my pposicOns. Whereuppon I
lauded my soldiers on Sonday morning following & comanded y' shipps t» fall downe before y'
Fort w'Mn muskett shott, w"" directions to fire two broade-sides apeace uppon y* Fort, then my
soldiers to fall on. Which done, the soldiers neaver stoping untill they stormed y° fort, and soe
consecjuently to plundering; the seamen, noe less given to that sporte, were quickly \\'"'in, & have
gotten good store of booty ; soe that in such a noise and confusion noe worde of comand could
be heard for sometyme ; but for as many goods as I could preserve, I still keepe intii-e. The
losse on our part was none ; the Dutch had tenn wounded and Skilled. The fort is not tenable
although 14 gunns, and w"'out a greate charge w*^*" unevitably must be expended, here wilbee
noe staying, we not being able to keepe itt. Therefore what I have or can gett shalbee laved
out upon y* strengthning of the Fort. W"'in these 2 dayes Ensigne Stock fell sick soe that I
could not send him to you to perticulerise all things, but on his recovery I will send him to you.
If Providence had not soe ruled that wee had not came in as we did, we had been necessitated
to acquitt y" place in lesse then a moneth, there being nothing to bee had, but what must be
purchased from other places w"" traide of good accompt, of w"^*" for y° p'sent wee have to sattisfie
our wants I have already sent into Merryland some Neegars w'^'" did belong to y* late Govenio'
att his plantation above, for beefe, pork, corne and salt, & for some other small conveniences,
vv'''' this place aftbrdeth not. The cause of my not sending all this tyme to gj've notice of our
success was the falling of y= Indians from theire former civillity, they abuseing messengers that
travell by land, since our arrival! here, though noe wayes incensed by us, but exaspirated by
some Dutch and there own inclinacons, that SO of them came from y* other side, where they
inhabitt, and soe strong they are there that noe christian yett dare venter to iilaiil on that side ;
Vol. III. lU

74 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

w'''" belouges to y' Duke of Yorke. They stayed here 3 nights; wee used them civilly, they
ptendiug they here came to settle, but since are returned w"'out doeing any hurte. Wee beg
yo'' endeavou" to assist uss in y^ reconciliacon of y* Indians called Synekees at y' Fort Ferrania,'
and y^ Huskchanoes^ here, they comeing and doeing vyolence both to heathen and Christian,
and leav^ these Indians to be blamed for itt : in soe much that w"'in lesse than 6 weekes severall
murthers have bin comitted and done by those people upon y*' Dutch and Sweedes here. Lett
mee begg y° favor of you to send Mr. Allison and Thompson, the one for y^ reedifying of y'
Fort, y^ other to fix our armes, there being not any but what is broake or unfixed. Yo'' Hono"'
shall have a furtlier accompt by y'^ next, untill w'** tyme and ever after I remayne

Yo"' faithfull and obhged Serv'

Robert Carr.
Dellawarr Fort )
Octob' y' la"- 1G64 )

Coll. NicoUs.

jSfames of the Duicli who 6-wore Allegiance after the surrender of New- Yorl\

[New-York Papers, I. 5. ]

A Catalogue Alphabeticall of y° Names of such Inhabitants of New Yorke fee'

as tooke the Oath to bee true subjects, to His Majestie, October the 21", 22°'',

2-i•^ and 2G"' dayes 1G64.

I sweare by the name of Almighty God, that I will bee a true subject, to the King of Great

Brittaine, and will obey all such commands, as I shall receive from His Majestie, His Royall

Highnesse James Duke of Yorke, and such Governors and Officers, as from time to time are

appointed over me, by His authority, and none other, whilst I live in any of his Maj"" territoryes ;

So HELPE ME God.

AxTHON'Y Alkud B — Biuell Tousseia

Arianzen Jan Barentzen van der Kuyl Cornelius

Andrizen Andries Bos Hendrick

Adamzen Abraham Bartelzen Jonas

Assuerus Hendrick Beeckman Joghim

Abrahamzen Izaac Blanck Jurien

Abraliamzen Willem van der Borden Backer Clacs Janssen

Arenzen Frederic Backer Reinier Willemzen

Andriezen Lucas Barrenzen Meindert

Andriezen Paulus Benaat Garrit

Adamzen Jan ' Barentzen Simon

Andriezen Ariaan Bogardus Willem

Appell Arien Beakman William ( of Esopies )

Albertzen Egbert ( van Amsterdam.) Bedlow Isaac

Aldricks Peter Boon Francis

Ascen Jan Bayard Nicholas

' Furl Aur.iii!a, Allmny. — Ed. • SiiuqHchunnoes ? — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: I.

75

Backer Jacob
C. Cregier Martin
Cousseau Jacques
Cossar Jacob
Course Barren
Claerhoudt WaU-aven
Coninck Thomas
Cray Teunis
Claesen Sibout
Clock Abraham
Coninck Aklert
Carelzen Joost
Claesen Andries
Coster Jan
Chambers Thomas
Costurier Jacques
D. Drisius Samuel
De Meyer Nicolaus
Dopzen Joris
Danielzen Jacob
Dupuis Nicholaus
De Milt Anthony
De Honde Coutrie Daniel
David James
Douzen Herman
Duyckings Evert
Doeckles William
Dirckzen Meyer Jan
Desille Lourens
De Wiit Johannes
Dircksen Lucas
De Hayen Isaac
De Weerhem Ambrosius
Dydelofzen Claes
Dela Montague Johnnn' >
Dela Montague William )

E. Ebbimck Jeronimus
Evertzen Dirck
Eyck ten Coenraut
Elsland van, Claes, d' oude
Etsal Samuel

Ebell Peter

F. Forrest de Isaac
Fulwevez Gerrit
Filipzen Frederick

of Albany.

Fries Jan
Fell Simon
Fedder Harman
G. Gabry Timotheus
Goderus Joost
Guindan Estienne
Gen-itzen Jan van Buytenhuysen
Gysbertzen Frederick van den Bergh
Goukes Reinier
Grevenraat Isaac
Gerritson
H. HuYBERTZEN Mol Lambert
Hardenbroeck Abell
Hendrickzen Jan van Bommel
- Hermzen Pieter -
Haart de Balthazar
• Huges Jacob
Honneur, de Guillaume
Hoist Barent

Hendrickzen Lambert van Campen
Hendrickzen varetanger Jacob
Hendrickzen Hendrick van Irland
Hennel Al)raham
Hagener Jeremiaa Janssen
Harderbroeck Johannes
Hall Thomas

Hendrickzen Gerrit van Amsterdam
Hendrickzen Hubert van Ceuleu
Hendrickzen Frederic
Hoogbeland Christoffle
Heinse Jacob
J. JoGKiMZEN Andries
Janzen Pieter
Jelezen Kock Jan
Janzen Jan van Brestec
Janzen Cors

Janzen Jan van Langedick
Isaackzen Arent
Israel Jacob
Janzen Galma Sibrant
Janzen Abraham
Janzen Claes
Jacobs Grains
Janzen Sick
Janzen Cornelis van Hoorn

76

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Janzen Hendrick van der Viii

Joosten Jan

Janzen Claes van Langendick

Janzen Jurien

Janzen Roeloff' van Meppelen

Janzen Roos Gerrit

Jacobzen Kool Barrent

Isaackzen Denys

Jacobzen Still Cornelys

Janzen Pieter van de Langestraet

Janzen Frans van Hooghten

Janzen Romein Simon

Janzen Backer, Hendiick

Janzell Stoll Pieter

Jurianzen Lantsman Arent

Joosten Jacob
K. Kipp Hendrick d'onde

Knoesvelt Bay

Keuninck Albert

Keeren Jacob

Kipp Isaac

Kierstede Hans

Kipp Jacob
L. Leendeutzex Pauliis van der Grist

Loockermans Govert

La Plaine, de Nicolas

Levi Asser

Laurens Thomas

Lawrenzen Arien

Laurens Jan

Luyck Egidius

Leisler Jacob

Leunizen Jacob
M. Megapolensis Paniuel d.

Megapolensis Johannes d.

Moesmans Arent Janssen

Mens Jacob

Merrit William

Moyer Thomas

Moesman Jacob Janssen

Meindertzen Jan

Mens Johannes

Molengraaff Thomas

Maan Bartholdus

Meet Pieter

Migkielzen Stoffell

Mindertse Egbert

Meindertzen Jan
N. Nevius Johannes

Nys Pieter
(). On-ckbavck Adam

Obe Hendrick
P. Peister de Johannes

Pieters Reintse van Bolsart

Pos Lodovvick

Pieterzen Nathanael

Pieterzen Albert Trompetter

Pieter Abraham

Pauluzen Claes

Provost Johannes of Albany

Pluvier Cornelius

Peterson I'hilip van Schuiller

Peterson Jacob
R. Reinoutzen Reinout

Roelofzen Jan

Reddell

Roelofzen Boele

Rees Andries

Reinier Pieter

Reycken Reinier

Richard Paulus

Renzlaer Jeremias

Renzlaer Richard
P. Stuyvesant Pieter G.

Steenwick Cornelius B.

Stevenzen OlofTe van Cortland

Sanderzen Thomas

Schaafbanck Pieter

Stoutenburg Pieter

Simkam Pieter

Pchivelbergh Johannes

Sticken Dirck

Spygelaar Jan

Scruyver Jan

Staets Abraham

Slictenhorst Gerrit
T. Tonneman Pieter

Teunizen Jan

Tades Mighiel

Thomazen Quick Tenuis

LONDON ]j()CTJMENTS : I.

77

•Tyler William
Tyler Andries
Van Ruyven Cornelius
Van Brugli Johannes
Verplank Abraham
Videt Jan
Van Brugh Carel
Van Gelder Jan
Van Tricht Gerrit
Vincent Adrian
Van Dyck Hendrick
Vermoon Jacob
Van Elsland Claes de Jonge
Vis Jacob
Verveel Daniel
Van Laar Arien
Ving Jan

Van der Cleffe, Dirck
Van de Water, Hendrick
Van Couwenhoven Johannes

Van Haerlem J^n

Van Brussum Egbert

Van der Schuyren Willem

Van Bomniel Hendrick

Van Laar Stoliell
W. Wessell Waniar

Winster Pieter

Wouterzen Jan

Wesselzen David

Witthart Johannes

Willemzen Ratger

Waldron Resolveert

Wessels Herman

Wouterzen WUlem

Wouterzen Egbert

Wanshaer Jan Van S' Aubin
Y. Yanzen Martin

Yanzen Clopper Cornelis

Yanzen Gerrit Stavast.

Amhasimdor Van Oogh to the Secretary of the States GeneraL

[State Taper Offii-c; Holland. 16W. ]

My Lo''

Upon the 5* of Novemb. St. No. 16G4. I rec'' the packett with the several! letters & other
enclosures from the State, viz' the Copies of ires & resolucons of the 21"- of Octob. as also of
the 24"" & 31"" dito. all w"^ doe complaine of the taking of Cabo Corso aswell as of New
Netherland &,<^ Amongst W^" also there was [a] Justificatoir, upon His Ma'^-" supposicon concern-
ing the infraction of the U'" Arcle of the Treaty, written in Dutch, whereof also I am promised
a copie in French by the next.

In pursuance of the said orders I did at my audience, w-^" was yesterday towards the evening
about 4 of the clocke deduce at large againe those greivances of the injuries violences & outrages
committed by the English against the subjects of this State, as also of the other inconveniences
& wrong interpretacons W^" His Ma'" had made of the words of their H. W orders &-c To w-^"
His Ma'J answered that he had well observed perused & examined all the reasons and arguments
transmitted in writing by their H. M^ as also what had bin at large by me deduced thereupon,
and that he had already given order for answers to be drawne to them all, but that by reason
the s'i reasons & arguments were so copious and voluminous, the s" answers could not hitherto
be gott ready and perfected; yet nevertheles that they would be ready very suddainly & that
then they should be sent me.

78 NEW- YORK COLONL'^ MANUSCRIPTS.

And forasmoch also as I propounded to His Ma''' the 2 last points recomended by theif H.
M' about Cabo Corso aud New Netherlands being taken in an hostile manner by the English
from the West India Comp^ His Ma^ said that he had had both in writing & by word of mouth
a full and large relacon of all, but that the matter was so prolix that all could not be well
remembred, but that he would summarily answer by word of mouth these 3 points, Aiz' that
w='' hath bin formerly coraplayned of about Cabo Verd, that he had fonnerly declared that that
action was done beyond his knowledge, that he would infonne himselfe thereof, and that then
according to the merite of the case he would cause such redresse & justice to be done therein, as
should appertaiue ; with which provisiouall answere their H. M' ought also to have taken
privisionall satisfaction, that he could not doe otherwise, nor could there be done more according
to the order and rules of justice, especially in such a case as tliis, that he doth graunt that the
s"* action, as it was done without his Imowledge & order, ought to be looked upon as an evill
action in itselfe and to meritt addresse & correction ; but yet that his people ought also to be
heard, tliat so it may be knowne what reasons had moved them to doe the same, and then to
doe justice thereupon, according to the exigence of the case.

That in order thereunto Cap' Holmes had bin expected at home about 2 months since, and
that he could not imagine what may be the cause of his so long stay, fearing that some disaster
or other is befallen him at sea, w'^'' he should be sorry for, both for this & severall other reasons.
And His Maj'^ added these words somewhat resolutely and eagerly — " hut I cannot admitt that any
body ch shall undertake to doe justice over my subjects or to carve out their owne redresse as I see their H. M^.
hate vndertaken to doe by their instructions given to the Comander in Cheij'e ofthcjieete bound for Guiny " ;
repeating the very words of the s** instruction. Which being by me answered in the best manner
and forme with reasons & arguments from myselfe, aswell according to the Justificatoir afores"" &"=.
His Ma'y was pleased further to declare that he could not understand the s'' words to be any
otherwise then afores'' but yet tliat he would (breaking oft" from all other reasons) give his
answere to all particulars in writing, as is said before, w'"" he would suddainly send me. Aud
as to what was insisted upon by me concerning Cabo Corso, His Ma'^ said that it was done
with his knowledge & by his order, as being a business w"'"' properly belongs to the English, and
that the ground was theirs, & that they had also built upon the same, and that the same was
afterwards taken from the English by the Netherlands West India Comp'' and by them only
something more built upon the same ; that they had not had possession thereof much above four
yeares, & that the English will justify and demonstrate their right to all this. Whereupon I
having replyed that this (under favoure) was not the right way even by His Maj"" owne wordes
as above, to cutt out their owne redresse, and that also it is directly contrary to the treaty made
&'' to w'^'' His Maj'y returned severall reasons againe too long to set down here. And so His
Maj'y declared upon the memoriall afores'' (breaking of, as it were from further reasons) that he
would answere it by writing. And as to what concernes the Remonstrance of the business of
New Netheriand, he said also that those lands belonged to his jurisdiction, and that they lay
amongst the rest of his- other lands in those parts, and so have also from the beginning bin
occupied by the English, & the Netheriands nation were only admitted to come live and settle
themselves there, without that ever there was any authority or power given or graunted to the
Netherland's West India Comp" or any other. Wiiereupon I having also replyed, even as of
Cabo Corso as above, that the Netherland's nation having now for 50 years together had had
quiet possession in those parts, that the same cannot nor ought not in oequity or reason, to be
taken from them, that therefore His Maj'^ would please to examine this matter rightly and justly,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 79

& accordingly make clue redresse lor the same ; as their H. M*. according to his known and
renowned justice could expect uoe lesse. To vf^' His Ma/'J returned again as he/ore " I shall
cause an answere of all (o be made in ivriting 2t)'^' shulhc sudd^iinlij given you." Whereupon I tooke an
occasion to say (seeing that His Maj'^ was desirous with this to hreake oft' from this discourse)
that these actions would turne to noe other end but a widening of the breach betweene both
Nations, & that it was to be feared farther mischeifes would arise thence. His Maj'y was pleased
to fall into the reasons formerly by me meuconed, saying that this business (meaning the
equippages under Opdam aswell as those dessigned for Guiny) was not first begun by him, but
by the Netherlanders (saying " Hollanders") that he ever had bin a lover of peace, nor that he yet
desired a warre ; yet nevertheles that he could not omitt to defend and maintaine his subjects in
their rights : saying moreover that he could not tell what more to say than to referre himselfe
wholely to the answere promised as above and y' if their H. ]\P had any thing to desire further of
him, that he would be ready at all times to take and receave anj^ papers they shall have to ofter.
After w'^'' w"" my due compliment & promising to cause the s"" Justificatoir to be delivered to
his hands, and praying that it might be by him rightly apprehended, I tooke my leave of His
Maj'y.

I was once thinking to have then and there delivered the s"* Justificatoir, as it was, but in
regard that the French translation was not yet come & that there hath bin iloe time to doe it here,
& for that I am promised the same thence with the first, I thought best to make use of the s^
provisional! promise ; assuring their H. M". that I shall not bee wanting in my endeavours to
execute their further commands both as to this and all other matters.

H. M'. resolucon of the SI"" of Octob'' last, these are not only sent by the Ordinary Post, but
also by an expresse, as also (God willing) I intend to send His Miy''" answere in writing, so
soone as I shall have receaved the same.

As to the ordinary newes, there is at present but litle, only that the fleete under Prins Robert
lyes wind bound still at Portsmouth, from Avhence he is fully resolved to sett sayle assoone as the
wind shall serve, in prosecution of his voyage (notwithstanding that there is some discontent
amongst the people about bad and decayed provisions w"^"" his fleete is served with, and that also
they are not well pleased with the service, especially those w""" are boimd for Guiny ; but having
altered some of the provisions and pimished some that were refractory, all is reduced to good
order againe.) I cannot therefore, for want of time, enlarge any more, referring myself to their
H. JP. Ire, wherein according to order I have sett downe the constitution of the shipping here,
and all that depends thereon. Herewith tfc".

M. Van Gogh.
Chelsey the 7"" of Novemb"' 1GG4.

P. S. The pressing of men here for tiieir ships is growne to such a heighth, that beyond all
order and custome, they presse the very prentices & handycrafts men, as they have begun now
with those of the shoe-makers.

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Aiiihaamdor Van Gcxjli to Seereianj of (lie States General.

[ Slalc Paper Office ; Holland. IGW.]

My LoJ

My last unto Yo'' Lqp was of tlie 10"' Instant, accompanied with a triplicate of the Ires sent
hence the 7"" dito by the ordinary post aswell as by an e.xpresse. Since I have receaved the
duplicates of their H. M' Ires & resolucons of the 24"' of Octob. taken upon the first remonstrance
of the Directors of the West India Comp" complayning of the actions used by the English by
the taking in and making themselves masters of New Netherlands ; w"^"" were sent me only
for my informacon. Tliei"e was also another duplicate of the Ires & resolucon with some other
papers of the SI* of Octob. afores*" upon the said complaints ; also another duplicate of the Ire
& resolucon of the SI"" dito, with an authentycq copie in Dutch of the Justificatoir made,
wliereunto is annexed a copie in French to be delivered to his Maj".

In pursuance of the s* last resolucon (.since that His Maj'y had already been spoken of this
affaire, as I wrote in my s** Ire of the 7"" instant,) having desired Audience with His Maj'-^ ( w'=''
was appointed yesterday in the evening about 4 of the clocke ) I did againe at my introduction
make a repeticon of my former arguments at my last audience w"^*" were chiefly concerning the
taking of Cabo Corso and New Netherland and to desire redresse for the same, as also repeating
the amicable & reasonable ofliirs made on the part of their H. INP towards the reparacon and
satisfaction of the damages pretended by the English forasmuch as they may be found to be just
and reasonable ; in which they have endeavoured to come up to His Ma'^ in all respects, so
farre as in reason can be expected of them, for the conservacon of the good amity and
correspondence and the due observance of the last treaty made, w*^'' their H. ]NP ever will
remayne by, as they _ have sutiiciently made it ajjpeare ; and that their H. ]NP being informed
that His Maj'-^' seemed to have taken some discontent concerning some words sett downe in the
Instructions given to the Coniander in Cheife of the ships designed for Guiny, as if the same
should have bin contrary to the s"* treaty, that notwithstanding all this had bin fully answered
by me, in confidence that thereby satisfaction might be taken, that yet nevertheles His Maj'^
beyond all expectation did seeme to remayne by his former opinion ; that therefore their H.
M' had thought fitt to make a concept of a Justificatoir to be delivered to His Maj'-^ not
doubting but that His jNIaj'^ would have given place to and taken satisfaction from the s*" reasons
according to his usuall discretion. And after that the contents of the s"* Justificatoir was by me
verbally deduced, and having added what els was needful (at the same time delivering over the
same w'"'" then was also by His Maj'J' accepted) he said as followeth : — " I know very well
" what satisfaction could hitherto ever be obtained there and what hath bin oti'red towards the
" same, but the etlects thereof could never yet be scene ; yet they declare they will stand by the
" Treaty, and yet they doe quite contrary, as by giving orders w'='' are repugnant to the same,
" as I have said before, & as shalbe more clearly demonstrated by my answere w'"" I have
" ordered to be drawne up in writing and w"^'' shall in a few dayes be delivered unto you. In the
" meane time 'tis observed that still more and more shipping are making ready to putt to sea, so
" soone as the wind shall serve. But be it knowne that if they doc, that my fleete shall not
" stay at home, nor thence " (speaking of the ships bound for Guiny.) All w"^*" being by me
answered with such fitt reasons as were fitting, His Ma'^ did somewhat eagerly & interrupting
me of my discourse, say, " I canuot make any other interpretacon of the words in the orders

LONDON DOCUMENTS : I. 81

" afores'' than whnt I have formerly said " (falling upon the discourse of the Netherlands
equipages) "viz'. I could liave alsohavebroughtagreater number of ships to sea" (naming 40 saile)
" if that I would have followed the desires of the people ; but I have bin willing to shew myselfe
" inclinable to peace in all respects." To w"^ I liaving againe replyed in due fonne, and having
laid before His Maj''' the said etiects of the senister rencounters w"*" are to be feared and the bad
consequences thereof w"='' ought with all care and circumspection to be prevented, to avoid all
further breaches betvveene both nations : His Maj'^ was pleased to retume againe as before, that
he was not the occasion thereof, as not having first begun this worke. And forasmuch as I
perceive that all former reasons of discontent were repeated, ex abrupto, as it were, & that all
the arguments I alleadged there against, seemed to have noe place, I did once more assure His
Maj'y of their H. INP. speciall & intire inclination for the continuance of the mutuall good
corrrespondence, w'^'' since the reducement and establishm' of this State hath ever, and without
any interruption, betvveene both Nations bin maiutayned, and whereof also the good fruits on
both sides have abundantly hitherto bin enjoyed ; (W^*" matter I did extend to the most highest
praise of the English Nation) and tliat therefore and for many other reasons, all possible meanes
ought to used, whereby the dilierences betweene both nations might be removed and all further
breaches prevented ; whereunto as His Maj'^ is prayed most earnestly to contribute all on his
parte that so their H. jNP. also are absolutely euclined to declare their good inclinations towards
the same. To w"='' His Maj'^ (as seeming to make some diversion of discourse) said, that he
knew not what to say more hereunto then what he had said before, & that he had caused his
answere to be drawme up in writing w'^'' should be sent me in a few dayes, and that if in case
their H. M". had any thing to propound to him, that he would be allwaies ready to heare them.
Whereupon I perceiving that His Maj'y seemed willing to leave off from all other discourse, I
did, after due compliment and earnest recommendacons that His Ma^ woidd please to apprehend
all things rightly, take my leave of His Maj'^'.

There were many other discourses repeated there w'^'' still tended to the same effect as I have
wrote formerly w'''' therefore I shall omitt to sett dowaie here, but His iNIaj'^ still seemed to
remayne dissatisfyed in so much that I could not perceave that His Maj'>' was pleased to take
any content in all what was said, but in generall referred all to the answere w^'" is to be given

me in wTiting. Herewith &''.

M. Van Gogh.
Chelsey the W^ of )
Novemb"- A" 1664 5 "

P. S. Just now I understand that there is a generall stop to be made upon all shipping
throughout all the ports of England, whereby they may be the better able to get men to man
their ships of warre, from w"'' embargo the East India ships and those w'"" are bomid for the
Streights with fish, are only to be exempted.

Vol. hi. 11

82 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

J/y. William Jones to Golond Kicolh.

[ New England Papers, I. -11. ]

Right Hon'''^

Att a gen" meeting of Deputies irom y^ severall Plantncons of this Colony it was agreed y' a
letter should be p''pared and sent to informe Yo'^ Hono"' of y*" great wrong and injury this Colony
have suffered from y" Dutch at Delaware Bay, about 14 yeares agoe, being violently repulsed
w"" great damage out of theire just purchase and possession there ; for we had purchased a great
tract of land on y^ one and y' other side of y* Bay or River and a plantacon begun by sundry
psons, & a trading house set up ; w'''' y'' Dutch pillaged and burnt and soe wholly destroid y''
designe at y' tynne. Two or 3 yeares afterwards a new attempt was made and a vessell sent,
W^"" was then alsoe stopt at the Manhatoes, and sundry of y^ principall psons imprisoned by the
Dutch Governo'' soe y' nothing y' way hath ever bin attempted since, although y' Indians of
whome we purchased y^ land, doe still owne our right & much desire y coming of the English.
But thus much only to accpiaint Yo'' Hono'' w' is further intended, upon a further search of o"'
records, to be improved by Yo'' Hono' as yo'' wisdom shall think tit ; humbly desiring alsoe that
o"" just claime to y'' pmisses, w" more fully psecuted, may be admitted. Thus craving Yo"'
Hono"'' pdon for this boldness with humble service p''sented, rests,

Yo'' Hono''' humble Sei"v'

20 Dec 1664 W Jones.

( Indorsed by Col. Nicolls )
" W'^ Joanes
" from New Haven."

Alexander cV Hinjossa, late Governor at the Delaware, to Governor Nicolls.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE DUTCH.]
[New- York Papers, I. 115. ]

Right Hon"^ Sir

Sir

Your Hon''' very agreeable answer to our letter came sately here to hand & I learn from it
that Your Honor is sorry for my loss.

If Your Hon" would please to console me therein, it can be done by the restitution of my
lost Estate, and could I get it back, I am resolved to live under Your Honor's Government ;
yea, on the same conditions that I had from the city of Amsterdam — to cultivate the land in
company for our mutual profit, should this be more advantageous to Your Hono'' and more
serviceable for the South river than that I should now quit.

Meanwhile should Your Hon'' incline thereunto, the answer should be sent me to Capt
Thomas Houwel's in Marryland where I shall still remain 2 or 3 months. Should these not be
accepted by Your Hono'' I would hereby respectfully request you to send me a letter under Your

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II.

Hon" hand to his Highness tlie Duke of York, in order that 1 may take occasion to apply in
London to iiis Higlniess aforesaid on tiie subject. Herewith I shall remain Riglit Honorable Sir,

Sint ]Merry's at Capt Thomas
Houwel's house

( Superscribed ) Hooch Edle gebooren beer
Myn Heer Richart Nickles
Gouverneur van Nieu Jork
en N. Engelant present
delivar.

Your obedient Servant

Alexa^vder d' Hinovossa

Colonel George Cartwrigld to the Secretary of State.

[ State Paper Office, Trade Papers. XVI. 49. 1

Sir.

I am heartily sorry that I cannot give you a further account of His Majesties affaires here, then

what I hope you have received by Captain Hugh Hyde from Coll. Nicolls. Since all the

plantations both of the Dutch and Svpedes upon the South River were reduced under the

obedience of His Majestic in October L^st, Mr. Maverick and my selfe have had nothing to doe

but to observe His Majesties commands in visiting the English Colonies ; but we have not had

power to doe anything ; for together he and I cannot act without a third man though each of us,

single, may act with Colonel Nicolls ; but he is detained at New York with the affaires of his

government, and S' Robert Carre cannot be perswaded to leave Delaware as j-et. And if they

should not be spared from their govemmeuts the next spring (w"^"" I fear they cannot) we shall

be in a great straight. We shall soon have spent that little which His Majestie hath allowed us,

and as to my own particular I have neither credit here to take up money nor an estate in

England to repay it with. If the Dutch will doe anything to regain those places W^i" we have

taken from them, it is much more probable that they will attempt it in the Spring then this

winter. The probability that they may do so, will be an argimient strong enough to make that

seem reasonable W^"" I fear. Our greatest work, lyes in this jurisdiction which is 300 miles from

New Y''ork, and Delaware above 100 miles away beyond that, w<='' is too great a distance for any

to be at from their charge in time of danger.

Sir, it is my duty to acquaint you with this and to acquiesse in wliat shall be returned

to. Sir,

Y'our most humble Servant ■ •

George Cartwright.
From Capt Thomas Breedon's

hous in Boston in New

England. January IG. 1664

These

To the Right Honorable Sir Henry

Bennet K' Principall Secretary of

State. At Whitehall.

84 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel George Cartwright to Colonel JSficolls.

[NeivEnglnnd, I. 21G.]

Sir.

I have delivered j-our letters to Mr. George Tyte, the master of the Saccesse, who is this da)--
gone to \antasquet. I have written hy him to S' Henry Bennet and M'' Marick to my Lord
Chancellor. The day before I gott hither Capt. Breedon had sent you some letters brought
by M"" Winder and Captain Scarlet, out of England, w"^"" the Dep. Governor and the Major Gen"
refused to send. Of the messenger that went we have not yet heard, though he went from
hence Dec IS"" The Pilotts who went with us to the Manhatans are none of them payd : 2 of
them have received some fayr words, but Coles, (who came from Piscatoque with Cap. Hill) an
absolute denyall, becaus he was not pressed by their authority : to whom, ( in his great necessity,
having lately lost his vessell by storm ) I have payed £10, upon the account of being pilott.
I hear that Major Gen" Leveret hath received £M from the country for the charges he was at
in entertaining you at Boston, and the country is made to believe that we have put them to
^300 charge already, & that we entend to exact 12'' for every acre of land, and .£3000 a year
besides, and to abridge them of their greatest priviledges, liberty of their consciences, and many
such ; w'^'' M'' Maverick heard of amongst his friends, in every place where he hath been in this
jurisdiction. They have admitted for freemen three or four men who are not members of their
Church, that by it they might evade the King's letter in that poynt. Their underhand dealing to
get petitions made to themselves for niayntaining the government as it is at present establisJied,
and their private solliciting for voyces against the next election, give me just caus to be jealous
of their loyalty. But till you or S"' Robert Carre come, here can be nothing done. This day
Cap' Hudson and others here in Boston petitioned to us to write to the Governor of Road
Island ; w'"' we have done ; and by their messenger venture this, w'"'' perchance from thence or
by Conecticote may find a passage. They lay claim to some land in the Narraganset country,
aud have set up a hous. Those belonging to Road Island have pull'd it down, as they did once
before, and one of these men told us that if we did not determine it next spring, he verily
thought it would cost much blood before next summer was ended.

If this letter speed well and meet not with a frozen passage, I hope it may prevayl with you
to come to Road Island, as early as the season of the year will permitt, where we shall have
much businesse, as to be here in a convenient time before the Generall Assembly ; and after
that we may, with the least inconvenience goe into the Eastern parts to determine the limits of
those Patents. M'' Maverick and myselfe are both of the opinion that this will be the best way
for the doing of that W*" we are entrusted with, and the rediest way to dispatch that w"^"" we
can doe.

It is most rationall that you may be better spared from New York before May, then after ;
for if the Dutch should have any designe either to regain or to devast that place, they cannot
well be expected sooner then May ; or if they should have no such desine, w'='' I verily beleeve,
yet prudence should provide lor the worst, by taking the probablcst way. Unless you come
yourself, I pray you to send with S'' Robert Carr all those papers that may be used by us ; tlie
cop3'es of the Patents &c.

This day we have certain newes that the Indians upon Nantucquet Isle, murdered and pillaged
the saylers belonging to a bark w"^ was by storm driven upon it ; but fearing it may be stale

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 85

newes before this may come to your hands ; going with so great uncertainties I will trouble you
no farther but to wish you all prosperity and rest, sir

Your affectionate servant

George Cartwright
Cap' Brecdons

Janu : 25"" 1664

Coll Nicolls.

King Charles II^s OrJev to seize all Dutch ships.

[ New Englaucl, I. 224. ]

Charles R.
Trusty and wellbeloved, Wee greet you well. Although Wee cannot doubt but that upon
the knowledge you have of the many wrongs and injuryes which Wee and our subjects have
suffered from those of the United Provinces and the constant evill mind they have born to the
wellfare and prosperity of our plantations abroad, you have been soe carefull of those under
your command or care, as to put them into a more then ordinary posture of defence ; yet
because the indignities, spoyles and affronts they have done us have encreased lately to such a
height as leave Us (after soe many demands and frequent instances made by us unto tlie States
Generall for satisfaction) without hope of other redresse or reparacon then what wee can acquire
by the law of amies ; which they have soe notoriously begun upon us on the coast of Guinny,
De Ruither being sent thither with twelve shipps of warre to destroy all our interest in those
parts, and (as Wee have cause to suspect) in his returne to invade all our shipping hee can meet
with and assault our Islands and Plantacons in New England and all other our Plantacons and
Colonies. And miderstanding further that a considerable number of private men of Warre are
now preparing in Holland to bee sent towards our s** Plantacons, to seize and doe all the violence
tiiey can there ; Wee have thought fit, out of our princely care and regard to the safety of that
and those other places soe remote from us, to require you to use all possible diligence for their
security, by causing forts to bee built in all necessary places, & by all other means which you
shall find most expedient ; and because some skillfull persons here have represented to us the
necessity of merchant shipps to bee haled near the shoare and fasts carried to the shoare from
whence foils and small shot may easily defend them, and hkewise that all such shipps which
shall come thence bee enjojmed to sayle in considerable numbers for their common security and
that then and even during their stay there it will bee fit some of the most experienced Olhcers
have authority given them to command the rest ; Wee have thought fit hereby to authorize and
impower you to doe therein what according to this or any other emergencies shall appear to
you to bee most for the safety of our Islands and navigacon of our merchants. Further, that in
other matters relating to the jurisdiccons of our most dear brother the Duke of Yorke our High
Admirall &°, you observe such orders and direccons as you shall from time to time receive from
him, whom Wee have commissionated to grant letters of JNIarque and generall Reprizall against tiie
shipps goods and subjects of the States of the United Provinces ; conformable to which our will
and pleasure is that you take and seize the shipps vessells and goods belonging to the s"* States or

gg NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

any their subjects or iiilial)itaiits within any their territories, and to bring the same to judgement
and condeinuacon according to the course of the Admiralty, and Laws ot'lN'acons. And these our
letters that you communicate to all our Forreigiie Plantacons next adjacent to you, by sending
copies to the respective Governours thereof, to whom wee have also written to the same eflect,
our pleasure being that with all care and applicacon possible, they arme themselves against the
dangers which threaten them in this conjuncture from such an enemy, and j^roceed according to
these om- direccons and such as they shall receive from om- s'' most deare brother. Assuring them
and all our loving subjects in those parts, that Wee shall not be wanting on our part on all
occasions to help and succour them to the utmost of our power and to contribute all possible
means for the security and improvement of their trade and Comercein all our Plautacons. And
soe wee bid you farewell. Given at our Court at Whitehall the ^S"" day of January 1 GGi in the
IG"" year of our Reigne

By His Ma''^' Command

(signed) Hexry Bexxet.

To our trusty and wellbeloved
Coll. Richard NicoUs & the rest
of the Commissioners for visiting
our Colony of New England

Mr. Alhjn, Secretary of Chnneetieuf, to Colonel jSflcolls.

[ New England. I. 217. ]

Hartford Feb, 1^' 1GG4
Right Honorable

Wee are informed that M"' John Scott according to his wonted course is agayne makeing
disturbance amongst the people of Setavvkett, by labouring to deprive the people of [that] place, of
the land expedient for theire subsistance. Seeing Your Honour was pleased to determine, when
o"' Governoure was last at New Yorke, that what had bin formerly setled and detennined by
Conuecticutt upon Long Island, was so to continue ; upon which we thought meet to acquainte
Your Honour that what land M' Scott clapiied (as Setawkett men infonned AP Allyn and
M"' Willys) by purchase of the Lidians, if he should injoye, would be destructive to that
plantation. Your Honour may allso please to understand that by the established order of this
Colony (of which Setawkett was a member severall yeares, by theire owne desii-es) no land was
to be jiurchased to the perticuler use of any person, without the consent of o"' Generall Courte,
and all such purchases to be null in lawe ; so that if such ingrossings of laud (to private rises)
from Indians should be tolerated it would be found destructive to whole townships and much
obstruct the peopling of His Majesties dominions in these partes. S'' we doubt not of Your
Honours readinesse to favoure the sayd people of Setawkett that they may not be molested or
disturbed in the enjoyemeiit of theire just rightes. Not haveing els, w"" our service to your
Honour we take leave and rest

Your Honours humble Servants, the

Governour and Councill of the Colony

of Cooecticott, signed pr. their order

Coll. Nicolls pr me John Allyn Secret*'.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 87

Colonel George CatiwrigM to Colonel Kicolls.

[ New England, I. 222. ]

Sir

This day Sir Robert Carre delivered me your letter, for \y'''' I thauk you, and shall (to the
uttermost of my power in order to all my obligations those of discretion as well as tiiose of
loyalty ) endeavour to observe all His Majesties instructions. Here we find a great probability
of obstruction (of w'^'' I gave you information before but fearing it may have miscarryed, shall
tell you them again) It is reported here that we have already cost this countrv £-ii)0. Major
Gen" Leverett( I am told ) hath received =£^4 for his expences extraordinary in entertaining you.
It is reported also that we are to demand 12'' for each acre of ground improved, and ^3000 a
year besides ; that we are to infringe the discipline of the Church by compelling children to be
baptized, and that we interrupt their form of government by our admitting of appeales. Here
are also severall whisperings & laying of wagers, that we shall never sit here as Commissioners,
and it is certain that these people have twice sent letters to my L'' Chancelor, since August
last. Upon these considerations I doe think it will be better to beginne at Conecticote,
and to dispatch the other -3 Colonies before this ; for if we have good successe there it
will be a strong inducement to these to submitt also to His Majesties Commission ; and if
these should any way oppose us it would be an ill precedent to the other. Then the
difference betwixt M'' Gorge's Patent and this, does seeme by the Kings letter to be reserved
to himselfe, but those that are concerned in it, hope before May to have letters and orders
to referre it to us, and it is probable y' by that time we also may have letters for our further
instructions, and this Colony, being both the richest, greatest, inost populous, and inclinable
to a Commonwealth, we ought to have the greatest circumspection about it. I cannot
conceive how it is possible for us to get a good election made for the next Generall Assembly,
seeing none can elect nor be elected but such as are Church-members, and of them there is
never a barrel better herrin. I think it will be the best therefore for us to take all the best
cources we can, & I know none yet besides writing to severall friends to desire all the country
to come in at the next Court of Election, w"^*" will be in the beginning of May, that we may
communicate to them what tlie King hath given us in command, and then to deal with them as
wel as we may. I hope I shall prevayle with S'' Robert Carre and M'' Maverick that we may
be at Road Island before the first of March at the furthest. I have seen all the papers w"^"" you
have sent, but have not perused them yet, & therefore do not understand how we can be both
Judges & Solicitors in Duke Hamilton's and M'' Mason's cases, but I hope when I have read &
considered y™ that difficulty may be resolved. Here is now a Court sitting in Boston and ^NP
Winder hath had a great tryall gone against him : he had many substantiall men and merchants
that gave evidence for him upon their oathes ; the other party had but one witness sworn, yet
himselfe being a Church member carried the cans, hard bom. I am very glad that M'' Willet
entends to goe immediatly to you (by whom I hope this letter will come safe to your hands ) I
believe him both a very honest and an able gentleman, and y' he will serve you both for a Mayor
and a Councelor. I will onely say, that the Fort is not to be kept 2 dayes longer nor 2 bowers,
by having the walls raysed higher, in my opinion, and therefore a battery upon the point would
be of greater advantage and more considerable than the Fort itselfe, if ever the town be
fortifyed : The same materialls will serve in both places. Major General Leveret is making such
a work under the Fort Hill, and removes great stones of ten tun weight or more. The Dutch

88 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

expect the Englisli lawes at their six months end, and it is proliable they wil rather take that
for oppression, w"*" shall be imposed on them afterwards, then, ibr the present, acknowledge j'our
indulgence in letting them for a while longer use their own lawes. But your owni convenience
in this is the greatest consideration. Here is another vessel goes for England about 14 dayes
hence. Against May I pray you send me order where & how I may receive the remainder of
the ^250. I have not gone to dinner with any townisman since I came, suspecting them to be,
as I fear they are ; yet all such as come to see me, and those are very few, I use as civilly as I
canne. The saviirg of a little expence shall not be an occasion in me of hindering his Majesties
sen'ice. !^o much I have considered tliese peoples temper, vvitli His Majesties caution, that all
designes of protitt lor the present seem unreasonable and niay possibly obstruct the more
necessary designe upon their obedience and loyalty. They have altered the law for freemen,
w'''' I send you enclosed. I like it not ; the reason is so visible I wil not trouble you with it,
but with my hearty wishes for your prosperity and successe there and for your company and
assistance here, rest

Your most affectionate Servant

(signed) George Caktwkight.

Cap' Breedons ")

Feb 4. 1664. j

Sir

We have perused the lynes above ; we know all to be truth. We earnestly desire your
presence heare if possible by the SO"" of Aprill, the day of election being the S"* of May. In
the meane tyme we shall doe what we can by way of p''paration ; and desiringe to heare from
you by all conveyances we remayne

gr

Yo'' most assured freinds

and humble servants
(signed) Samuel Maverick. (signd) Robert Cakk

Samuel Maverick Esq. to Colonel Nicolls.

Sir

Y^o" of the 24"' of January p'' S"' Rob' I received, and heartily thanke you for yo'' good advise
in it, and also for yo' writing to Capt. Breedon to advise me. I pceive you have heard some
falce reportes. Coll. Cartwright hath written at large to you, in w*^"" we all concur. He hath
beene to retired : I hope I have not beene over sociable. I spent thi-ee weekes in visitinge my
friendes in severall of the cheifest townes in this Govemm' and I am deceived if in that journey I
did not undeceive both Majestrates, Ministers and other considerable psons. It cost me
unavoydably 10£.

We intend, God willinge, to be at Road Island about the first of March, & shall much desire
yo'' psence, when and where we may sett the boundes to Road Island, both East and West. Be

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 89

pleased to be referred to the Col? letters ; and S' be assured I shall use my utmost indeavour

faithfully to serve His Ma."" and shall ever remayue ^^

S''
Boston Feb 4, 04. Yo' assured freinde and Serv'

Samuell Maverick
Coll. xNicoUs.

Colonel George Cartwrigld to the Secretary of State.

[ Slate Paper Office, Trade Papers. XVI. 6.S. ]

Sir

By the same justice I complained of S"" Robert Carr's absence, I am bound to give an account
of his being here. He came hither Feb. 4. and on the si.xt we sent to Plymouth to desire that a
Generall Assembly might be convened on the 20"" whither we entend presently to goe. We have
not had conveniences yet to deliver His Majesties letters to them and Road Island, wherefore
we chuse to visit them first, and the rather becaus we hope for a better complyance from those
then from these of Boston, who by severall circumstances, as sending a petition about to begge
hands of all sorts to maintain the government as it is now established, by reporting that we are
to demand IS"^ for eveiy acre of improved ground, and 5000=£ a year besides for the King, and
that we are to straighten them in the exercise of their discipline and civille priviledges, and by
some publick mutinous speeches, which have not been punished, and such like ; have given us
some ground to fear that the phancy of a commonwealth is yet in some of their braines. But
we hope the loyalty of the other Colonies and their complyance with us may be both an
example to these and an argument of the necessity of their submission to His Majestic, when
they shall have no hopes left of making them of their confederacy.

We hope to have finished all by Midsommer, for we will use all diligence and circumspection,
and by all opportunities yon shall have an account of our successe from, Sir

Your humble Servant

George Cartwright.
From Cap' Breedon's hous > i . -

in Boston Feb. 7"" 1G64 i

To the Right Honorable Sir - ■
Henry Bennet Kn' Principall
Secretary of State, at Whitehall , .

London.

Vol. III. 12

90 NEW-YORK COLOxMAL MANUSCRirTS.

Mr. Secrdary MurricSs Answer to the Petition of New England.

[ New EushinJ, I. j-li. ]

. His ]Ma"'' liatli heard this reticoii read to him, and hatli well weighed all the expressions
therein and the temper and spirit of those who framed it, and does not impute the same to his
Colony of the Massachusetts, amongst whonie he knowes much the major part consists of men
well affected to his service and obedient to his govenun' ; hut he hath connnanded me to let
you know that he is not pleased with this Petition and lookes upon it as the contrivance of a few
persons wlio have had too long authority tliere, and who use all tlie artifices they can to infuse
jealousies into his good su!))ccts there, and apprehensi(jns as if their Charter was in danger,
when it is not possible for His Ma"'' to do more for the secureing it, or to give his subjects there
more assurance that it sliall not in any degree be infringed, then he hath already done, even by
his late Commission and his Coimnissioners sent hither, who are so far from having the least
authorhy to infringe any clause in the said Charter, that it is the principall end of their journey,
so chargal)le to His ]Ma''^ to see that the Charter be fully & punctually observed, and His Ma'^
did expect thanks and acknowledgni' from that his Colony, of his fatherly care in sending his
Commissioners thither, and which he doubts not he shall receive from the rest of his Colonies in
those parts, and not such um-easonable and groundlesse complaint as is contained in your
Petition, as if he had thereby intended to take away your priviledges and to drive you from
your habitations without the least mention of any misdemeanour or miscariage in any one of
the said Commissioners, or in any one particular ; nor can His Ma'^ comprehend (except you
believe that by granting your Charter he hat*la parted with his sovereign power over subjects
there) how he could proceed more graciously or indeed any other way upon so many complaints
presented to him, by particular persons, of injustice done them contrary to the Constitution of
that government ; from the other Colonies for the oppression they pretend to undergoe by the
power of that of the Massachusetts, by extending their bounds and their jurisdiction further than
they ought to do as they pretend ; from the Natives for the breach of faith & intollerable
pressures layd upon them as they alleage, contrary to all kind of justice and even to the
dishonour of the English Nacon and Christian Faith, if all they alleage be true : I say His Ma"''
cannot comprehend how he could ap])ly proper remedies to these evills, if they are reall, or how
he coidd satisHe himselfe whether they are reall or no, by any other way or meanes then by
sending Commissioners thither to examine the trueth and grounds of all the allegations, & for
y' present to compose all differences the best they can untill upon a full and cleare representation
thereof to his Ma'-'' who cannot but expect the same from them, His Ma"" owne tinall judgment
and determination luay be had; and it hath pleased God so farr already to Idesse that ser\ ice,
that it is no small benefitt His Ma'> & his English Colonies in those parts have already received
by the said Commissioners in the removall of so inconvenient neighbours as the Dutch have
been for these late yeares, and which would have been a more spreading and grow-ing mischiefe
in a short time, if it had not been removed. To conclude I am commanded by His Ma'*' to
assure you againe of your full and peaceable enjoyment of all your priviledges and liberties
granted to you by his Charter, which he hath heretofore and doth now againe offer to renew to
you, if you shall desire it; and (hat you uiay further ])r()niise your selves all the protection
countenance and encouragement that the best subjects ever received from the most gracious
Prince ; in returne whereof he doth not only expect that duty and cheerfull obedience that is due

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. . . Ql

to him, and that it may not be in the powi-i- of any malitio'ii? person to make you miserable by
entertaining unnecessary and unreasonable jealousies tiiat there is a purpose to make you so ;
and since His Ma''" hath too much i-eason to suspect that M'' Endicott, who hath during all the
late revolutions continued the government there, is not a person well aftected to His ISIa'''''
person and Government, His Ma'^' will take it very well, if at tiie next election, any other person
of good i-eputation be chosen in the place, and that he may no longer exercise that charge. This
is all I have to sigiiifie unto you from His Ma'''^, and remaine

Your very humble Serv'

William Morris
Whitehall Feb. 25, 1664.

DecJaration of the Depviks of Long IdantL

[ New-Tork, I. 129. ] , ' "

Wee the Deputies duely elected from y" severall townes upon L. Island being assembled at
Hempsteed in a Generall Meeting by authority derived from your R. H" unto the hon'''*' Colionel
R. Nicolls as deputy Governour, doe most humbly and thankfully acknowledge to y"' R. H* the great
honour and satisfaction wee receive in our dependance upon Your Royall Higlmes according
to the tenour of his sacred Ma"" Patent graunted to y"' R. H' bearing Date the 12 day of March
1664 in the 16"' yeare of his Ma''"' Raigne, wherein wee acknowledge ourselves, our heires
and successors for ever to be comprized to all Intents and purposes therein more at large exprest.
And wee doe publikely and imanimously declare our cheerful! submission to all such Lawes,
Statutes and Ordinances which are or shall be made by virtue of Authority from y'' R. H* your
heires and successors forever. As also that we will maintaine, uphold & defend to the utmost
[of our] power and perill of us our heires & successors forever all the right, title & interest
graunted by his sacred Ma"" to y'' R. H' your heires and successors for ever, against all
pretensions or Invasions forraigne or domesticke, wee being allready well assured that in soe
doing wee performe om- duty of allegeance to his Ma"" as free borne Subjects of the Kiugdome
of England inhabiting in these his Maiesties dominions. Wee doe further beseech Your R. H.
to accept of this address as the first fruits in this Generall meeting for a memoriall and record
against us, our heires and successors when wee or any of them shall fade in our duties. Lastly
we most humbly beseech y'' R. H' to take our Poverties and necessities in this Wilderness Land
into speedy consideration, whereof the Governour will more particularly informe y"' R. H'
and that by constant supplyes of trade, and Your R. H. his more particular comitenance of
grace to. us and protection of us, we may daily more and more be encouraged to bestow our
Labours to the Improvement of these his Ma'""' westerne dominions under yo"' R. H' for whose
health, long life & eternall happiness we shall ever pray as in duty bound.

[ 1st. March, 1665. ] ■

gg^ NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Lord GluinceUov Clarendon to Mr. Maverick.

[ New England, I. '22S. ]

Good M'' Maverick

I presume you have heard before this time tliat Captain Hills ship ( however lie escaped )
was cast away, so that all the letters committed to his care were lost ; l)ut I received that you
sent by Captain Hj'de, and your last of the 20"" of Januar}'. Concerning your owne particular,
you will shortly receive a supply ; tlie King haveing directed it with reference to all the
Commissioners. I am very heartily sorry that S'' Robert Carr's carriage bath not been answerable
to the King's expectacon, and that there should want a Commissioner at Boston where the scene
is for most of your business and where I doubt you'l find more ill humour then in any of the
other Provinces. I do believe ftP Nicolls can hardly be spared from his government, where he
must expect all the mischeif the Dutch can do him ; of which I advertized him by letter about
six weekes since, which I hope came safe to his hands ; and since you are not, I doubt, like to
have his presence, you shall do very well to correspond very punctually with him and receive
his advice in all things of importance. And I write not now to him because I presume he is not
with you ; but if S'' Robert Carr be absent he is very unexcusable. This letter is like to come
to your hands by a poore man, who (if all be says be true) hath been very barbarously used in
that Colony, and hath a particular reference from the King and the Councell to His Majesties
Commissioners there, who I presume upon examination of the whole matter will do him what
justice you can. I find by an Address we have lately received from Boston that the Governor
& Councell there are not at all pleased with y'' Commission, and that they will needs believe all
their priveledges are to be destroyed ; but I suppose they are better infonued since, and that the
answer they have received from the King to their address, will dispose them to a better temper,
and that the discretion & wisdom of the Commissioners will make them see how much they
are mistaken in their apprehensions. I must tell you they seeme most offended and troubled
that you, whom they looke upon as their enemy, should have any authority over them ; but I
am very confident the knowledge you have of their prejudice towards you, will make you much
tlie more carefuU and watchfuU in your owne carriage, that they may have no just exception
against anything you doe, & that they may plainly disceme that you are quite an othei" man in
a publick trust then what they tooke you to be as a neighbour, and that you have wiped out of
your memory all impressions which ill treatment heretofore might have made in you. For if
you should reveng any old discourtesies, at the King's charge, and as his Commissioner should
do anything upon the memory of past injuries, the King would take it very ill, and do himself
justice accordingly. But I am confident I have not beene so much mistaken in the observacon
I could make of your nature and disposition, that you can bee lyable to any of these reproaches :
however, the advertisement I am sure can do you no harme, and proceeds from much kindness.

Remember me veiy kindly to Colonel Cartwright and I am very glad your success hath been so
good in the other Provinces. I hope that of the Massachusetts will not deserve a worse report.
1 wish you all happyness, aud am ^^^^ ^p Maverick

Worcester House ) Your aifectiouat Serv'

5 March IGGl ) Clarendox.

I remember honest D'' Gatford committed a son of his to your care when you left this
kingdom ; I pray you be kinde to him that his friends may have cause to thanke you upon your
returne.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 11. 93

2fr. JfavencJc to Colonel liichard J\lcoli-9.

[Sew England, I. 2.!^. ]

Honorable Sir.

Arivinge heare on Koade Island last night, I this morningf heard of this convayance and
could not lett it pass. We have heene 16 dayes now from Boston, and in o'' way gave the
governient of Plymouth a visitt. The Governor «& Major Winslow are now heare w"" us. We
yesterday began to make an agreem' betweene Plynioutli and tiiis Gover' as to their boundes;
possibly to-morrow an ende may be made. What is done about it yo" shall be informed by the
next conveyance.

Some tyme this weke the p''tended Ppryators to a great parte of the NaiTagansett cuntrey
will meete us there to see if it may be determined who hath most right to it ; either thev,
Conecticott, or Roade Island ; all three clayminge a propriety in it.

I have used my utmost indeavour in the Massachnsett goverm' to undeceive y" decieved, and
to p''pare them for y^ election w'^'' will be on the S"* of May, at w'^"' tyme I hope we shall have
the happines to enjoy your presence.

By all couvayauces I shall give account of what passeth. M'' Winder intends err long to be
w"" yo", w"' sacke, brandy, and other lumber. S'' I cannot enlarge, the bearer beinge just now
goinge away.

We have had no newes from Boston since we came from thence ; of frost and snow we had
enough. S"' I must ende, ever remayninge

Yo"" assured freinde &
humble Serv'

]March. 5. 64. Samuell Mavericke.

I pray S'' be pleased to rememb"' me to Cap' Nedeham, M' Delancie, M'^ Nicholes, and the rest
of o"' freinds.

Col. Xicolls.

Colonel George Cartwvigld to Colonel Nicolls.

[Now England, I. 23e. ]
S'

I never sayd nor thought y' you had not work enough : the bare hearing of impertinences
w"'out the framing of lawes, the ordering of the soldiers, the gaining of the Dutch, the governing
of the English, the regulating of the trade, and the providing of necessaries) is more then enougli
to tyre one ; then all these and the suting of them together (with many other accidents w'''' must
be supposed to happen though they cannot be foreseen) must needs be thought by all men,
work enough for any one man. The eamestnesse of my desire to have your direction and
assistance here (of w'^'' I stand in extraordinarj^ need) I hope did not transport me so far beyond
my reason, as to write any thing by w''*' I might be thought to think y' you had not trouble
enough there. I confesse I did think you miglit have spared w'''out great hazzard IS dayes

94 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

from New York (7 dayes here &: 11 to goe and come in) w"'' would lune been sufficient to have
helped us over all tliose difficulties w''' here I expect. When 1 sayd y' something must be put
to hazzard, I did not entend tlie losing of that place. I cannot beleeA'e the Dutch are so potent
now, having had the plague long raging in tlieir country, as to sjiare 1 or o ships hither, to
regain a place w'"" never yielded them prolit, whilst they have \Nai-re with England, or if they
were, if they arrive not within the first 12 dayes after your comming from thence, the hazzard
is not dangerous. I cannot deny the reducing of the Dutch and visiting the English Colonies
to be 2 distinct things, and the first to be of the greatest consequence ; yet in visiting these
Colonies our greatest businesse is to be managed here, and by how much these people are more
richer, more proud and factions then the other, by so much the more difficulties we shall find
and the more stand in need of your helj). That you were much mistaken when you writ you
should adde little to the weight, onely to the number the Connnissioners, is so plain I need say
nothing to it. And though they should refuse all us 3, having a prejudice against us, you, whom
they respect and honor, might be prevalent with them becaus acceptable to them. This day a
Quaker (my country woman) told me before Capt. Breedon, y' she had heard severall say y' I
was a papist and y' S'' Rob. Carr kept a naughty woman, and examined her if I had not kept
one too, or it she knew me not to be a papist. INP ISIaverick they declare to be their profest
enemy. IMany factious speeches fly up & down. This day (they say) here is a secret councel
& y' all the ministers within 20 miles are called to it. If these men will rebell I can as easily
tell the King so, as y' they are his good subjects, and perchance shall sooner be believed by
some in that, then in this. I am sure you know in w' condition I am in; though you seem to
deny me your assistance, yet let me have your pitty, and I will doe my utmost. ftP Winthrop
sayes he will take care y' nothing be donne to the prejudice of the Dukes territories, and y' he
never heard of that report you mentioned, but beleeves it to be a mistake. Whereupon, not
going to Hartford and having none but Willys with him, we only told him our opinions but
writ ■ nothing. If I live to goe for England I will take care of it there. I will not trouble you
with repeating w' I writ to you before concerning my brother Beresford and M"" Bowles, but
shall expect them about Midsonuner, if they entend to goe back with me ; if not, I will make
good what I promised.

I came to Boston on the IS"- INP Maverick on the 14"' j'our letter on the 17"' S"' Robert Carr
is not yet yet come ; he went to see some friends ; but that he hath all the papers with him in
the box, though I have the key, I would have given you a short account of a businesse in w"^""
M^ Willet is concerned ; you may expect it by the next. M'' Willet sayes he will goe hence
tomorrow, therefore I close up my letter to night. I am sorry to hear of any difference
betwixt the soldiers & townsmen of Sopes and Albany. All prosperity & successe imaginable
is heartily wish' you by, tS''

Your most affectionate Serv'

George Cartwright.
From Capt. Breedon's >
Aprill 19, lOG-3 i

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 95

Declaration of tlie General Court of Ma-'^mcJiuMtts.

[ Traik- I'apers, State Paper Oflice. SVI. 72. ]

A Declaracon of the Gen" Court of His Ma''" Colony in the Massachusets
in New England, held in Boston the 2:3'' of iNIay 1G65.

Whereas in the debate and conferrences had betwene the Court and Colonel Richai-d Nicolls
Esq'' S'' Robert Carr Kn' Colonel George Cartwright and Samuel INIaverick Escf' His Ma''" Hon'''^
Conunissioners, Wee have pleaded onely the maintenance of His Ma"'' authority in the governm'
of tlie people of this Colony, according to the rules and prescriptions of his royall Charter under
the Great Seale of England, the full and peaceable enjoym' wliereof His Ma"" hath given good
assurance to all his loyall subjects of this place, giveing speciall charge to the abovenametl
Gentlemen not to disturb us therein. Yet accounting it our duty to God & His Ma"' by all
lawful! ways and means to give full satisfaction to His Ma''" touching all such causes and complaints
against us, as in his wisdom and prudence he shall see reason to take cognizance of, We have sundry
times in our conferrences both by word and writeings tendered to the abovesaid Gentlemen our
readyness to present unto them a full and cleare account of our proceedings in any case, matter
or complaint, that themselves should see meet to inquire into ; whereby they maye bee enabled
to present the matter truely to His Ma"" His Ma"" letter to this Colony of April 2-3. 16G4 and
by his hon'^'" Secretary Sir William Morrice Feb 25. 1664. expressly declaring this to bee the
principall end of sending hither the abovesaid Gentlemen in such a capacity & for such pious
and good intentions as therein is more particularly declared, and not in the least thereby intending
to infring our Charter, or any the priveledges thereof. All this notwithstanding the abovesaid
Gentlemen not receiveing satisfaction with these our tender & proposalls made unto them,
wherein we have indeavoured to answer His Ma"" just expectations, contrary to the express
charge of His Ma"" unto them they have, by waiTant under three of their hands, given protection
to John Porter junior, an Iiigh offender against God, His JNIa""' authority and lawes, and the
peace of his good subjects here ; who breaking prison made his escape out of the hands of
justice here ; and that before any signification unto the govenun' of this place of any complaint
made against them, their sentence, or proceedings against the said Porter ; and requireing all
officers aswell militaiy as civill to be observant to them herein — And although this Court hath
expressed their sence of this act (in conjunction with some other of their proposalls) to be an
infringement of our priviledges, granted to Us by His Ma""* Royall Charter, yet they have not
withdrawn their protection of the said Porter, but have proceeded to summons as well the
Governor and Company of His Ma""' Colony as also particular persons, to appear before them to
answer to the complaint of Thomas Deane and others, for injustice done imto them. The
submission unto which proceedings of theirs, being, as we apprehend inconsistent with the
maintenance of the laws and authority here so long injoyed and orderly established under the
warrant of His Ma""' Royall Charter, the uphoulding whereof being absolutely necessaiy for the
peace and well being of His Ma""' good subjects here. This Court doth therefore in His
Ma""' name and by the authority to us committed by his Royall Charter, Declare to all the people
of this Colony, that in observance of our duty to God & His Ma"" and the trust committed to
us by His Ma""' good subjects in this Colony, wee cannot consent unto or give our approbation
of the proceedings of the aforesaid Gentlemen, neither can it consist with our allegiance that

96 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

we owe to His Ma"' to countenance any that shall in so higli a manner go cross unto His IMa''"
direct charge or shall be their abettors or consent thereunto. God save the King.

This Declaration was published the 24"' of May 1665, by M"' Oliver Purchas one
of the Deputies of the Court, (being by them thereunto commanded) with
sound of trumpet in the Market place in Boston below the Com-t House, and
at the Dock head, and at the cross-waj- by Capt Breedons.

Reply of the Kin<fs Commissioners to tlte Mas-sac]u( setts Declaration.

Gentlemen.

Wee thought when we received our Comission and instructions that the King & his Councel
knew what was gi'anted to }'ou in your charter, and what right His Ma'''' had to give us such
commission and commands : and we thought the King, his Chancellor, and his Secretary had
sufficiently convinced you that this commission did not intring your Charter. But since you
will needs misconstrue all those Ires & endeavours, and that you will make use of that authority
which he hath given you, to oppose that soveraignty which he hath over 3-ou ; we shall
not loose more of our labours upon you, but referr it to His Ma'''^'' wisdom, who is of power
enough to make himself to be obedyed in all his dominions ; and doe assure you that we shall
not represent your denying of his commission in any other words tlien A'oui'selves have expressed
it in your severall papers under your Secretarie's hand. But for the better manifestation of the
transactions between us, & for the satisfaction of all concerned in these parts, we desire you will
cause His Majesties Comission to Us, His Ma"'" letters of June 28 — 64, of Feb'' 25 — 64, by
Secretary Morrice, of Aprill 23 — 64, and all those papers we have given in to the Court, and
yours also, may be printed and published. May 24. 1664.

Rl NiCOLLS

Ro Carr.
To the Generall Court of '\ Georg Cartwright

His Maj'" Colony of the |- Samuel Maverick.

Massachusetts. )

Messrs. Carr, Cartrrriglit^ and Maverick^ to Sir Henry Bennet^ Secretary of State.

[ Trade Papers, State Paper Office. XVI, T4. ]

Sir

The last account we gave you was of our eutentions to begin early to visit the other Colonies
and of our reasons why we chose ratlier to begin with them, than this : we shall now give you
a breife account of our successe.

Wee begun at Plymouth (as we resolv'd Feb. 20.) and thence we went to Road Island
and so to Conecticot, in all w'"" we found bitter cold wether, but were welcomed with great
expressions of loyalty and joy y' His Majesty would vouchsafe them that honor. & testify that

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 97

care of tlieni as to send Comissioners to them, as well to regulate what was amisse, as to assure
them of His Majestie's favor & protetion. In Plymouth we heard of few complaints, and
those trifles too. It is certainly by much the poorest colony. Though in Road-island we had
more complaints, yet they freely and redily submitted (even the Governor himselfe) to be tryed
by us. Some we ended, some we put to arbitration, some we referred to the General Court,
to the generall satisfaction of them all : some of which they have returned again to us to be
determined. At New London we had heard W"* Morton's case, if he had been at home, but
M"' Winthrop (who is here) hath promised to give us such an accoimt of it, as shall be most
satisfactory to His Majesties expectation. In all these Colonies they freely consented, that all
administration of justice shall be in the King's name; that all householders shall take the oath
of Allegiance ; that Church-membership shall not be considered in making freemen ; that all
persons of civil! lives shall have liberty of conscience so y' they deny not their shares
of mayntenance to tiie publick Minister fairly chosen by plurality of voyces : that all lawes and
expressions in lawes derogatory to the King (if any such have been made) shalbe repealed and
altered : as it will appear by the severall papers we are promised from each of those Colonies ;
one promisse of W*" we have here sent enclosed.

From Conecticot we came through the Narrhyganset countr}^ where finding y' one of those
Sachims who had submitted y' country to K. Ch. I. of blessed memory, was yet alive, and he now
acknowledging the same, & giving us that very deed made above 20 yeares agoe, and personally,
with some ceremony, giving up himselfe and country into the King's protection, we received him
and his into the King's protection and nam'd the country the King's Province, according to His
Majestie's command, though it be the only ground upon the main land belonging to the Colony of
Road Island. To prevent all ditterences, untill His Majesty hath had a full account of it, we have
made those who were Magistrates in the Colony, Justices of the Peace in the King's Province.
The coates w*"*" we presented the Sachims from His Majesty were kindly taken, and they also have
sent His Ma''' some presents as tokens of their surrender, W'' Colonel Cartwright (we hope) will
ere long deliver, with a more large and satisfactory relation. Having had successe in these
Colonies to the full of our expectations, and hearing in every one of them some complaints
against theMassachusets, and having intelligence of their actings and designes, & being as willing
to use all means and helps to speed wel at Boston, as we were ambitious to have given His
Majesty a good account of our whole employment, we did at the last by frequent and importunate
letters prevayl with Colonel Nicolls to come to Boston to our assistance, w"^"" he did, just the
day before the Generall Court mett. But our successe here not being answearable to that we
had in the other Colonies, we shall give an account of it by it selfe ; and subscribe ourselves

Right Honorable

Your most humble Servants

Robert Carr
Boston May ) ' Georre Cartwright

27"" lGG-5. ) Samuel Mavekxcke.

To the Right Honorable

S'' Henry Bennet Kn'.

Principall Secretary of State.

These humbly present.

in. 13

98 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Oovernor and Council of Massacliii setts to the Constahle of Portsmouth.

[ Trade Papers, Stule Paper Office. XVI. 81. ]

Whereas inforniacon is given that contrary to the laws of this jurisdiction the inhabitants of
your townie are summoned to meet together on the 13"^ of this instant at eight of the clock in
the morning Tliese are in His Ma"^'^ name to require you to warne all persons so assembling
to depart home to their respective places, and in case any shall refuse or neglect obedience
hereunto, tiie names of such persons you are to returne, witli what else you shall do, under your
hand, as you will answer the contrary at your perill. Dated in Boston July 12. 1GG5.
These for the Constable ]
of Portsmouth. |

Governor and Council of Massachusetts to the Kinfs Commissioners.

[ Trade Papers, Sl.ite Paper Office. XVI. 81.]

Gentlemen.

When you departed hence refusing to treat further with the Gen' Court of this Colony, it
was expected that according to your owne words, you would have ceased any further actings in
this Colony, saying your business was done here, and that you would render an accoumpt to His
INIa"* of your negotiation with the Gen" Court, but contrary thereunto you have since been
pleased not onely to give iiiterrn])tion unto the ordinary proceedings of the Court of Justice in
Yorkshire, against the express command of His Ma''"' but also unto the people have reproached
His Ma"""" authoritie here settled, thereby stirring them up not onely to neglect thereof, but to
actings against the same, contrary to their oathes and wholsom lawes here established.

Wee have also seen your warrant dated the lO"" of this instant, directed to y^ Constable of
Portsmouth for the calling of the people together. If yourselves please to peruse the letter
lately come from His ]Ma''' directed to Col. NicoUs and yourselves, you will find you are directed
by His Ma"*^ in a more orderly method then this that you observe, if that His ;Ma''" wisdom
may be judge.

Wee cannot but declare our sence of these your irregular jjroceedings and shall account
ourselves bound to provide for tiie peace of His Ma''*' subjects, against such unreasonable
mandates, expecting that His Ma"" tender care of the peace of his good subjects in this Colony
will be attended by yow : remain, Gentlemen,

Yo' humble Servant

Edwd Rawson Secret.
To the Hon''!- Sir Rob'CarrKn'. i j^ the name and by order of

Georg. Cartwright, & 1^ tl^^ q^^.. & Councell.

Samuel Mavericke f^sq"
His Ma''" Commissioners.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 99

Tlie Kinrf.9 Co7nmi9.9ioners to the Governor and Council of Jfa-S'sachmett.'?.

[Trade Papers, State Paper Office. XVI. SI.]

Gentlemen.

We have received a letter hy your Marshall subscribed by your Secretary, so full of untriith
& in some places wanting grammer construction, that we are unwilling to beleive it was peii'd
with the knowlege and approbacon, though in tlie name and by the order (as is said) of the
Governor and Councel.

Though it was great reason and high time for us to give over treating in privat Avith those
who by sound of trumpet denied that authority which the King had over them, and by which
we were to act ; yet neither that denying nor anything they can doe, can enervate the King's
comission, or hinder us from obeying the King's comandes, as neare as we can.

The fi.xing, nameing, and owning a Bound-house 3 large miles north from Merrimack River
about 12 yeares together by the Corporacon of the Massachusets (after the fi.xing of which
Bound-house many other patents were granted by the Council of Plymouth & by the King)
must necessarily determin the limitts of the said Corporacon, and answer all the false and
fraudelent expositions of their Charter. Wee now let you know our judgments that you may
see how much those that peu'd that letter were mistaken, though for some reasons we will not
publish it as om- decree. Tlie last letter wee received from his Majestie was the ground of that
warrant we sent to Portsmouth and of those we sent to several! other townes. His Ma""
comands are and shall be our directions ; when we are convinc'd of an errour we shall be ready
to acknowledg & mend it ; but shall not concerne our selves with your sence in this, who have
already palpably (and we feare wilfully) misconstrued too many of His Ma"" gracious letters

The duty which we owe to God, to the King, and to all his subjects, constrains us to perswade
you not to sutfler yourselves to be so much mislead by the spirit of independency. The Kino-
did not grant away his Soveraigntie over you when he made you a Corporation. When His
Ma"= gave you power to make wholesome lawes and to administer Justice by them, he parted
not with his right of judging whether those laws were wholesom, or whether justice was
administred accordingly or no. When His Majesty gave you authoritie over such of his
subjects as lived within the limits of your jurisdiction, he made them not your subjects nor
you their supream authority. That prerogative certainly His Ma"-' reserved for himself and
this certainly you might have seen, if ambition and covetousness or something as ill, had not
darkened both your eyes.

Remember we pray you seriously that the pardon you so unich pretend to from His Ma""
clemency (in his letter of June 1662) was promised to you on condicon of beang for the future
his good subjects, which must necessarily imply obedience. Striveing to grasp too much, may
make you hold but a little. 'Tis possible that the Charter whicli you so much idolize may be
forfeited, and it may probably be suppo.sed that it hath been many ways forfeited ; until! you
have cleared yourselves of those many injustices, oppressions, violences, and bloud for which
you are complained against, to which complaints you have refused to answer ; or untill you have
His Ma"" pardon, which can neither be obteined by nor bee effectuall to those who deny the
King's supremacy.

The deserved punishm' and destTuctioii of some, those who of late made use of the King's
authority to oppose His IMa"" power, and raised amies and fought against His Ma"' and yet

100 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

pretended the defence & safety of the King, we think migiit deterr all from broaching or acting
according to such illusive and destructive sophismes.

Many of your actions, and the warrant sent to the Constable of Portsmouth July 12. 1G65.
give us just grounds to feare that, if you had power, you would try your success the same way.

Gentlemen. Remember we pray you that you profess j'ourselves to be Christians and
pretend to be of the best sort. Pray make it appeare that you are so, by your obedience to the
Kings authority, by your peaceableness towards your neighbours, and by your justice amongst
j'ourselves ; which are Christian virtues ; that men may see your good workes, and then &c.

The other Colonies have set you so many good examples, even that of Road-Island, one whom
you have so long despised and disowned, and now lately derided for their submission to His
Ma"^. The dangerousness of those wayes you are in hath extorted thus nruch from us at
present, for caution : but the particulars of that letter we resen'e to be examined in an other
place. In fine, we desire and in His INIa"" name require you, not to contradict those orders
which we make by vertue of His Ma'"' Comission, nor to disturb the peace and quiet of those
whom we have taken under His Ma"'* government, nor to molest those who, in obedience to
His Ma''"* authority, have observed any warrants made by us ; and we assure you that as j'ou
approve yourselves His Ma"''' good subjects, we shall approve ourselves 3'our reall friends, ready
to serve you.

R. C.

From Piscataquay River ) G. C.

Julij 16° 16(Jo. j S. M.

Upon receipt of this reply th.eir Councell sent out warrants to
severall townes in the Eastward parts, of the tenor of this
following Copy.

To the Constable of

You are hereby required in His Ma"''' name forthwith to sumon your Deputy or Deputies
already chosen for the year, or in case they have none, to assemble the freemen of your towne
together and require them, by vertue of an order of the Coimcell dated 2V- instant, to choose
and send their Deputy or Deputies to assemble at Boston on the 1" of August next at eight of
the clock in the morning, to consult in Generall Court with the Magistrates, about the waighty
occasions of the -Colony. Hereof not to faile makeing your returne. Dated in Boston 21

.Julij I6G.5.

By the Councell

Edw. Pawson Sec^
As also to speed away the warrant

annexed, to the Constable of

Hast post hast

Edw. Rawsox Secref

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 101

Messrs. Carr, Carfwright^ and MavericTce to Sir Henry Bennet^ Secretary of State.

[ Trade Papers, Stale Taper Office. XVI. SI. ]

Sir

After the Court at Boston was ended (of which we sent you an account before) we went to visit
the Eastern parts ; and first we past a tract of land laid clainie to by Mr. Mason, who petitioned
His Ma"' about it. His Ma^' referr'd it to S'' Robert Mason and others, who made their report to
the King ; all which Mr. Mason sent to Colonell Nicolls, wiiom lie made iiis Attorney. This
Province reaches from 3 miles north of Merrimack River to Piscataquay River, and 60 miles
into the country. We find many small patents in it, & the whole Province to be. now under
the usurpation of the Massachusets who once set up a bound-house -3 larg miles north of
Merrimacke and owned it for above 12 yeares, 3'et since claimes all this and 60 miles more to
the North to be within their patent. Col. Nicolls being bound to attend De Ruiters attempt
against New Yorke and not being here, we left them as w^e found them, under the Massachusets
government, though they were very earnest to be taken under His Alaj"'* government, as will
appeare by their petitions which we have sent herewith. From Piscataquay eastward to
Sagadahock and 120 miles into the country is another Province called Yorkshire now, by the
Massachusets under whose government we found it, formerly called the Province of Maine in
the King's Charter by which it was granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges. The inhabitants of this
Province were much troubled by the contests of the Massachusets and the Commissioners of
Mr. Gorges, and being weary of the imjust and partiall actings of the Massachusets, & fearefuU
of the proceedings of the other, generally petitioned us to take them into His Ma"" more
immediate government : which we did do, and appointing some to act as Justices of the Peace
and to hold Sessions, wee discharged both the other from exercising any authority, untill His
Ma"" pleasure be further knowne, This hath already given such satisfaction to the people that
they have petitioned His INIa"'' that they may for ever be governed by his commands, as will
appeare by their petition, which also we have sent herewith. And thus we did, being assured
that it was the best expedient we could use, both to procure the peace & quiet of tliat Province,
and to end the differences betwixt the two pretending partes, for the present ; leaving the finall
determination to His JMa"" wisdom. In this Province are 5 towues, Kittery, York, Wells,
Scarborough and Falmouth. They build all by the sea side. Their townes are 5 or 6 miles
long at the least, though they have but 30 houses in them, and those very mean ones too. If there
be not better government established amongst them & more care taken of them, that Province
will never be either well peopled or well cultivated. The places beyond Sagadahock were
given to His Royall Highness by His Ma"= yet as Col. Nicolls desired, who could not attend to
go himself, we have appointed some to govenie them for the present, as there was great need.
Upon 3 Rivers, the east of Kennebeck, Shipscot, and Pemaquid, there are 3 plantacons, the
greater hath not over 20 houses, & they are inhabited by the worst of men. They have had
hitherto noe governm' and are made up of such as to avoid paying of debts and being punished
have fled thither : for the most part they are fishermen, and sliare in their \\i\es as they do in
their boats.

Wee were up within Piscataquay River July the O"" when we received His Ma"" he of
January 2S"". There being an excellent harbour, larg & safe, and 7 or S ships in it, and great
store of masts, we sent warrants to 4 towns upon that River, with an intent to have gotten that

IQ2 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

harbour fortified by tlieni ; but the Massachusets sent a prohibition to them and a letter to us,
by their Marshall, which put a stop to our endeavours. This place we think desen-es fortifieing
as much as any place in New England.

We are tould by some of themselves that they have appointed a Generall Court to be on
August 1" to consider how to niannag their opposition, for that they intend to maintain the
bounds of their patent as far as they have streatcht them, and to suffer none to make warrants
or orders within the same but themselves, and to justitie their own wayes for admitting Church
members, and free men, though the King write never so often to the contrary. i?ome few
exceptions tliey make, as acts of their favor, to gain some to their partie, and to serve to delude
the King with a show of complyance ; for if vvriteing will serve the turne ( as they suppose it
will ) they can keep the business in agitation, untill the King and all his Secretaries there and
all his good subjects here, be weary of it ; If nothing of greater consequence make them to let it
fall, which they hope may happen ; and that, if His Ma"'' do not take some speedy cource,
they who have declared their judgments against them will be undone; as also all those who
have petitioned for any redress ; and that it is the case of the loyall party here, as not long ago
it was in England, though they be two for one, yet they are so overawed that they cannot help
themselves ; that both the readiest and surest way is, for His Ma"" to take away their Charter,
vphich they have severall ways forfeited, which King Charles 1*' was about to do a little before
the Scotish war in 163G or 1(>37. And if His Ma"^ will assure the people they shall not be tyed to
religious ceremonj's, the generallity of them will be well contented : but this without a visible force
will not be effected. Tiiis advice we have had from them, and this indeed is our owne opinion.
We have heard severall say, though they do wish that the government was otherwise, yet they
had rather suffer as they doe then to take up armes against them. And indeed without this
course it will be impossible for the King ever to attain those two ends mentioned in our private
instructions. If His Ma"'' should now let these people rest, haveing so much declared themselves
against his authority over them, those that are well affected will never dare hereafter to declare
themselves ; besides all the other ill consequences which must necessarily follow. Those who
have declared themselves loyall, are very much threatened, and in great feare, and have
earnestly prest us to sollicit His Ma"* for their speedy defence and safety, that they may not be
afflicted or ruined for shewing their loyalty. We therefore earnestly desire you to acquaint His
Ma"* with their desires in this, as also of liaveing their children baptized and themselves
admitted to the Lord's Supjier. If anything be here wanting, we hope it may be supplyed by
Col. Cartwrights relation ; and suhscril)e ourselves

Sir

Vour most humble Servants
K. C.

Boston Julij 20" 1«G5 G. C.

(Indorsed) ■' S. .A[.

" A coi)y ui' a letter sent l)y the Comm" to M' Secretary Benet,
" w" Col. Cartwright went for England. "

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 103

Colonel Nkvlls to the Secretary of State.

[ Trade Papers, State Paper Office. XTI. 81. ]

New Yorke July the 31^' — 65
Right Hon'^i'

I should be very sorry to give y'' 1/^' the least cause of offence ibr any neglect of mine ; I could
not foresee nor prevent the losse of my letters in the Elias. The Martin carried the full accounts
to iny Lord Chancellour and ftp Coventry of all matters contained in mine to yo'' L''? except
onely those inclosed papers, the originalls whereof were then remitted to y' Lfi wherein yo"' Lp
will finde by w' degrees and steps the business of the surrender was managed, how farre I was
single in the treaty, and the conclusion thereof managed by the Commissioners appointed. The
reason why those of Boston and Couecticot were join'd in the treaty was because those two
Colonies should hold themselves the more engaged with us, if the Dutch had beene over
confident of their strength, and if upon their conclusions I comitted an errour in consenting, I
hope it is very pardonable. Since the Guyney fregatt I have wrote one more to yo' L"*!", but, in
earnest, the uncertaine conveyances of letters, first from hence to Virginia or Boston and thence
by strange hands into England, gives me much discouragement. This runus the same adventure,
for we have had no ship or the least supplies directly out of England, since the surrender,
which hath brought the souldiers and planters into very great wants of meane necessaries :
though I will still have hopes that a place of this importance will fall into due consideration
with His Ma'^' and R. H'. I hope the first ship of supplies will be accompanied with His jMa"'"
commands also relating to Delaware : 'tis pitty that place should be neglected, for the trade
will be quite lost, and all the planters upon the River goe naked if not supplyed. At present all
their provisions and maintenance for a foot Company are sent upon my accompt ; Sir R. Carr
was persuaded in the beginning of February, to remove thence, and hath ever since followed
His Ma"" Comission, whereof, and of the whole transactions in the Colonies an accompt is sent
to y'' L**? by Coll. Cartwright, who I suppose may be now at sea. I have, according to His
Ma"" comand sent a copy of his Ma"" letter to each Colony^ ; they have much lesse cause to
apprehend De Ruyter than the privateers, and this place doth not apprehend either or both ;
for we have no ships to loose, no goods to plunder but a ragged sort of a fort put into the best
posture of defence possible, well fitted with cannon, no want of ammunition for the present,
and as many souldiers as will not loose His Ma"" interest but with their owne lives.

This being the present state of our condition, give me leave now to congratulate the long
merited honour which report sayes His Ma*^ hath lately conferred ; * no servant y'' L? hath in
the world can more truly rejoyce at any promotion which can befall you than

My Lord

Y' L''P' most obedient
and ever aif'" servant

' R. NiCOLLS.

¥■■ Lp' of the 20"" of Jan. came to my hands the 22"* of June ; 'twas sent from Capt. Carteret
then at Virginia, but is here arrived the 29"" of July.

' 24. June 1665 is the date of Gov. Nioolls' letters' to the several Governors of N. England, for wliioh see General Entries,
I., 129, in Secretary's Office, Albany. — Ei>.

* Sir Henry Bennet was created Baron Arlington, U March, 166-1-5, which is probably the honor alluded to. — R. Lk

104 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel Nicolls to the Diike of Yorh,

[ New-York Papers, Board of Trade. I. 6. ]

INInv it please y'' R. Hi'

That 1 make this .single address to your Royall hands by way of narrative of the present
condition of these parts. Since your If,' H' his most gracious letter of tlie ll"" February came
to ray bauds I have not beene sparing either of Toyle or charges to put these parts into a po.stiire
of defence against the Dutch though at the same time I was engag'd in troubles with the
Indyans also att Fort Albany, insomuch that I found it necessary to augment the number of my
souldiers, and consequently many incident charges have arisen tbis summer, with all which I
have strugled even to the utmost of my ovra monies and credit in the Country still depending
on the promised supplies till now, that the winter is come and no ships appeare, the want
whereof is a generall Calamity, but it falls most heavy upon me in particular who am not able
to support so heavy a burden any longer. I doe not value the sight of my owTie mine in point
of fortune, but my reputation lyes at stake to the Country having so often (in confidence of a
supply ) assured the Inhabitants of the care which was taken for their releife ; who depending
thereupon are now left naked to the rigour of the winter ; The whole trade, both inwards &
outwards is lost for want of shipping, but the charge of foure Garrisons with all their fortifications
and supplies falls upon mee. I most humbly therfore beseech Your R. H' to dispatch a speedy
supply hither before we fall into extremities. Wee heare that Coll. Cartwright is taken at sea
in his returne for England, by whom Your R. ff would have received full infornuition of the
present state & condition of these parts : I know his returne into N. England is very uncertaine,
therefore I beseech Your R. H" to consider of some fitt person to succeed mee in this Government,
knowing that men are mortall, neither is there any person qualified for such an employ heere to
carry on the publick affaires when I am dead or recalled, if I were worthy to propose a person,
it should be Harry Norwood,' whose temper would be acceptable both, to the Souldiers and
Country. My endeavours have not beene wanting to put the whole Government into one frame
and policy, and now the most refractory Repu1)licans cannot but acknowledge themselves fully
satisfied with the method and way they are in. My resolutions are to send over to Your R' H'
this winter a Copy of the Lawes as they now stand with the alterations made at the last
(ienerall assizes, which if your R' H' shall be pleasd to confirme and cause them to be printed
at London, the whole Country will be infinitely obliged to Your R' H" — We have had a Generall
Joy and thankesgiving in these parts not onely for the signall victory over the Dutch, but for the
preservation of your R' H* his person, to whose wisedome & courage the victory is attributed :
the very newes whereof hath revived our spirits and is antidote both against hunger and cold,
untill such time as your R' H' shall thinks us worthy of a neerer consideration to the releife and
support of all your poore servants in which number I may truely ranke myselfe being

Your R' H'

his most dutifull sei-vant

November G-5.

' This gentleman served umlei- Nieolla at the reduetion of New Amsterdam, after which he returned to England. His
leave to return is in General Entries, I., ti2, and bears date 23d Nov. 1664. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 105

Colonel IS^icolls' to tlte Di/le of York.

[ Xc-w Turk I'apcTS, Board of Tradi'. I. 7. ]

\_Fmgment.'\ I must now descend to the particular occasion of giving Your li' H' tliis trouble,
wherein My L"* Berkely and Si G. Carterett are conceni'd, who, (I know also) will be so just to
mee as to have mee excus'd for manifesting cleerlj' my knowledge to Your R' H^ About 10
dales past Cap : Bollen shews mee a letter from my L'* Berkelej- and S'' G. Carterett and therewith
a grant from Your R' H' to them for all the lands to the West of the Hudsons River as more fully
ma}^ appeare in the said graunt, wherein is comprehended all the improoveable part of Your R'
H' his Pattent and capable to receive twenty times more people than Long Island and all the
remaining Tracts in Your R' H' his patent in respect not onely to the quantity of the Land but
to the sea Coast and Delaware River the fertility of the soyle the neighbourhood to Hudsons
River, and lastly the faire hopes of Rich mines, to the utter discouragement of any that shall
desire to live under Your R' ff his protection. In short, I hold myself oblig'd to give Your R'
H' this account upon certaine knowledge having exactly considered and preferred the advance of
Y'our R' H' his reputation and interest in those parts above all considerations or obligations
whatsoever, and for my boldnesse I can at last but begg pardon. Neither can I suppose that
My Lord Berkeley or Sir G. Carterett know how prejudiciall such a graunt would proove to Your
R' H% but I must charge it upon Cap' Scott who was borne to worke niischeife as farre as bee is
credited or his parts serve him. This Scot (it seems) aim'd at the same patent which Your R'
H' hath, and hath since given words out that bee had injury done him by Your R. H% whereupon
he contriv'd and betra3'ed my L"* Berkeley and Sir G. Carterett into a designe (contrary to their
knowledge) of ruining all the hopes of increase in this Your R. ff his territory, which hee hath
fully compleated, unless Y^oiir R' II' take farther order herein. Upon this tract of land several
new purchases are made from the Indians since my coming, and three Townes beginning; I
gave it the name of Albania, lying to the west of Hudsons River, and to long Island the name
of Y''orkesh'' as to this place, the name of N. Yorke to comprehend all the titles of Your R' H'.
Farre be it from mee to aggravate any thing beyond the bounds of a faithfull servant, for when
it may conduce most to Y'our R. H. his service, I shall as freely surrender up all parts to Your
R. H' his pleasure as it becomes mee to doe. I presume farther to propose a better and a more
entire tract of Land worthy of great consideration to My L"" Berkeley and Sir G. Carterett,
which is that part of Delaware River, which is reduct from the Dutch, if it is not already disposd,
if soe than that my L"* B. & S'' G. C. may have a hundred thousand acres all along the sea coast,
which is a most noble Tract of land, but it will cost them 20000"' before it will yield a penny,
and their childrens children may reap the profitt, great have beene the abuses of false reports,
whereof I am now fully satisfied, and yet I hope to render a satisfactory account to Your R. H'
by word of mouth, when it shall please Y'our R. H' to give mee Liberty, and that your aftinres
heere are upon such a foundation as will not be shaken by my absence, for the present so it is
that every short removall of mine produces ill Effects, and in plaine words the Towne & Country
cry out they will leave their dwellings if they can not stay mee from going to Boston, such are
their apprehensions of a Dutch invasion.

Vol. III. 14

IQQ NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel Klcolls to the Dulce of Yorh.

[New-York Paficrs, Board of Tru.lf. I. 0. ]

[^Fmgmvni.l Notwithstanding tlie liigli and mighty tlireats sent hither from the W. I. Company
of Amsterdam, who doe not live in so much apprehension of the Dutch as wee doe in hopes of
the arrival! at this Port of some English ships to the supply of Trade to the Country and to
the releife of the necessities both of Officers and Souldiers, for whose accommodations in all
places where they remaine in Garrison, I have beene more industrious than in all the other
actions of my life to this day ; and what I have done towards the settlement of Lawes in the
Government Mr. Coventry will shew your R. H^

I have formerly rendred account of the decision and settlement of bounds betweene Your
R. H' and the Patent of Conecticot made by His Maj"" Commissioners, and the Governour &
Councell of Conecticott, wherein five Townes were relinquisht to Conecticott by virtue of
their precedent graunt from His Ma"' although the same tracts of land were given to Your R. B.\
to the utter ruine of that Colony and a manifest breach of their late patent, which determination
was a leading case of jequall Justice and of great good consequence in all the Colonies, and
therefore wee were assured would be an acceptable service to Your R. H' though to the
diminution of your bounds ; so that to the East of N. Yorke and Hudsons River nothing
considerable remaines to Your R. H' e.xcept Long Island and about twenty miles from any part
of Hudsons River; I looke therefore upon all the rest as onely empty names and places possesst
forty yeares by former graunts and of no consequence to Your R. H' except all N. England could be
brought to submitt to Your R. H' his patent. The people of L. Island are very poor and labour
onely to get bread and clothing, without hopes of ever seeing a penny of monies. From this Town
is the great hopes of all the benefitt which can arise to Your R. H% and if my former proposalls
of encouragement meet with a good answer, I may without boasting assure Your R. H^ that
within five yeares the staple of America will be drawne hither of which the brethren of Boston
are very sensible but yet such is the meane condition of this Towne which I am sure is the best
of all His Maj"" Townes in America, that not one souldier hath to this day since I brought
them out of England been in a paire of sheets or upon any sort of i)ed l)ut Canvass and straw,
which I humbly beseech your R. ff will cause to be supplyd out of tlie King's stores in like
manner as Dunkertpie was or Tangier is.

Me-S6T6: Can- and Jlaverich to the Secretary of Sttcfe.'

[Tni.lo Tarira, Stalo Taiifr (mico. XVI. 1113.]

Sir

It being here rumored that Col. Cartwright is taken by a Dutch privateer hath put us into no
litle confusion and rendred us incapable to give you so full an account of all our transactions
in these parts, as we had done by him, by reason ( that if lie be taken the originall papers of
our transactions in these jiarts are, we feare, lost, together with many materiall petitions of
severall persons to His Ma"'' and to ourselves ; Other writeings of concermnent, & the maps of

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 107

the severall colonies. Wee have made use of all o])portunities to give from time to time,
accounts of our proceedings ; but fearing miscarriage we hereby give you the trouble of perusing
the inclosed papers, and this cursory recapitulation of what is in our present possession.

You formerly had account given of what was done in the three Southern Colonies ami ( we
hope also you have rec*^ one ) of wliat was acted with the Gen" Court of the Massachusets
in Boston after our arrival! in these parts, till May 30"' for we sent you it by Capt. Harrison.
Wee shall send you by the next opportunity the copies of all other that are wanting of our
transactions with them : we have them not here, for we sent them to New York to Col. Nicolls.

Here inclosed, amongst others, you will find a copy of our report to His Ma'"' concerning
Duke Hamilton's patent ; of which, if by reason of Col. Cartwright's surj)risall you have not
the originall, you may please acquaint His Ma""

Wiien we were in the Southern parts at Warwick, .Jolm Porter presented us with a petition,
( the copy whereof is amongst the others inclosed ) signifying his greivance ; whereuj)on we
ordered him to make proof of his complaints, and gave him His Ma''" pi-otection, till his cause
was heard by us &" We came from these parts to Boston, & stayed there till the accustomed time
of their Gen" Court came ; at which time Coll. Nicolls haply came, together with us, to treat
w"" them, concerning the conteints of His Ma"" comission and privat instructions to us.
We found them presumptious & refractory & could obtein nothing from them that might be
satisfactory to His Ma"""' desires ; and their answers to the instructions of His Ma"* to us ( of
which we gave them copies ) were delaytory and impertinent. Whereupon we of necessit}' ( as
a Court of Appealls ) summoned the Governor and Company to answer to the action of M''
Thom : Dean & others ( according to His Ma"" instructions) in the case of the ship Charles of
Olleroon ; to which they not only refused to appear, but sent to us this inclos'd declaration, upon
]\Iay 21"' 1GG5. by eight of the clock in the morning, an hower before we intended to have sate ;
and proclamed it by sound of trumpet under Col. Cartwrights chamber window, he being then
lame of the gout at Captain Bredons, where we intended to have sit. A copy of our answer
or conclusion with them you will see annexed to the same coppy of their declaration.

At this Gen''" Court June 2'^ they commissionated ]\r Simmonds and M"' Danforth to go into
the Eastern parts and to oppose us in our proceedings in what we were injoyned to act ; as you
will see by the inclosed copy of their comission, a copy of which was given by them, directed to
&■■ Rob' Carr, wee being in those parts, when they came to put it in execution. Where being, a
letter from His Ma"" came to our hands, signifying the war with the Dutch, & injoj-ning us to
looke after the fortification of these parts against them. Whereupon we sent out our warrants to
Portsmouth and other places in those Eastern parts, to that end and purpose. The Governor
and Councell at Boston haveing notice by some one of their intelligencers, sent to the Constable
of Portsmouth a prohibition of the people's meeting, and to us a letter ; copies whereof and of
our reply, here inclosed you will find, as also a copy of their warrant to summons a speciall
Gen=" Court thereupon to be held Aug : 1*' Thus far was sent by Col. Cartwright an exact
account of all proceedings with the Massachusets & the other Colonies ; as you may please to
see by the inclosed copy of the letter we sent by him to your honour.

Since that time, be pleased Sf to take notice that at the Gen''" Court then held, a warrant
was sent by them to the Constables of Kittery in the Province of Mayne, a copy of which you
have herewith. Wee haveing theu setled the Eastern parts beyond Pascataquay River under
His ]\Ia"" immediate government till his pleasm-e was further knowne (by reason as you will find
hereby of their disquiet and unsettled condicon otherwise) the INIassachuscts (still reteining their

108 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

wonted opposition) commissionated M" Thomas Dauforth, M'' Eliaz Lusher, and W John
Leveret to go tliither and reduce them to their government. The inhabitants there having
notice tliereof, sent to us a letter (the copy whereof you will receive hereby) under the hands of
Captain Champeniowii, RP Rishworth and M"' Johnson, signifying their fear of them and
desiring our direction what to do in the case. Whereupon S"' Robert Carr went thither waiting
till they should come to exercise such their comission. In the mean time the Gentlemen in thg
Eastward parts made preparations for their comming, as the copy of the letter herein inclosed
from M' Rishworth will give you to understand. These Comissioners came as far as Portsmouth,
and S"' Robert Carr, being then at Kittery, hearing thereof, sent them a letter, a copy w^hereof
is inclosed ; yet notwithstanding, they sent their peremptory summons dated Octob'' 10"" to one
Abraham Corbett to appeare at their next Gen"" Court which fell out the next day being 11"' of
Octob"' last, to answer a contempt (as they please to call it) for in a disorderly manner stirring up
sundry of the inhabitants to signe a peticon or remonstrance against His Ma"" authority there
setled &■=. From hence they went to Dover to keep Court. The Eastern people were informed
they would come in an hostile manner and therefor met at Kittery to have opposed them if
they came over the River ; which was supposed one cause of their speedy return towards Boston,
they going that night to iSalisbury, being 22 miles thence.

This being all for the present that we can informe you of, we desire (if it have pleased God
that Colonell Cartwright have escapt with his life & be in health) your Honor will please shew
him this accomit, and the inclosed papers ; that what is wanting, be calling it to mind, may give
you further infonnacon thereof.

Before this could be dispatched, the Marshalls of Dover and Portsmouth brought RP Corbett
hither a prisoner, having apprehended him by order of a warrant to them directed Irom tlie
Gen"" Court sitting last October, and carried him before the Govemour, who immediatly
committed him to prison, there to continue to the next Gen"" Court, unless he procured bayle
&' as by the copi^ inclosed you may see. Severall sufficient Gentlemen were proposed for it,
and by them refused. The person still remains confined, and we can receive no satisfactory
answer, for present, why. Wee connnitt it to your judgment what to thinke of the matter,
& hope you will signiOe it to His Ma""" remaining

Sir

Your humble Servants
(signed) Robert Carr

Boston November ) ' Samuell Mavericke

20. lGG-5. j

To yo'' Honorable Self.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. ^ 109

8ii' Robert Carr to the Secretary of State.

i Trade Papers, State Taper Office. XVI. 105. ]

8ir

Upon the report of Colonel Cartwriglits being taken by a Dutch privateer, I take the boldness
againe to trouble you with a short account of what as concerning my owne business I WTote to
you more largely by him, least that should not come to your hands. Which was, besides the
generall account which with the other Comissioners I had given you, I gave you one of inyselie,
to this purpose. There is a tract of land lying from Cowessit, youth & South West, to a river
called Sagatucket running into the sea about Point Judith in the Narraganset country, which I
desire to setle upon. You know the King's promise to me, and his command that I should
acquaint you with my Desire, and your token was that I should put you in mind that the King
spoke to you, for me, in your owne house, at a private musicke. That litle which I had gotten
at Delaware, & for which I had hazarded my life, I am told is given away, and one is now
come to take possession of it. Wherefore 1 humbly pray you to assist my sonne that I may
have this land above mentioned, granted to me by patent. If His Majesty have not disposed of
Delaware and if he please to keep it in his owne bands, it will make a very convenient place of
tradeing for the use of the King's Province, as also the Eastern parts, being under His Ma""
owne governm' will be very beueficiall in a short time, in regard it is well stored with the best
masts and ship timber ; which otherwise will be destroyed ; and if the King would satistie the
pretenders to the severall small patents therein, some other waj^es, as it is the only desire of the
people to be freed from them and to be under His Ma"''" imediate governm' as will appear by
their peticon sent by Colonel Cartwright. Also the people in the Eastern parts were very
desirous that I should be their Goveniour, and would have altered their peticon to the King,
but Col. Cartwright could not stay, who can give you a further account then I can by writing.
If the King will take these Provinces imder his owne governm' I shall serve His Ma"= as
faithfully as any he shall set over them ; and I hope you will acquaint His Ma"' with it, &
stand my friend at this distance.

Sir, after we from hence had dispatched a letter to you by Capt. Thirston dated of Nov' y*"
20"" last couteining many copys of transactions here &■= came the inclosed copy of the peticon
of Wells Court, to my hands, the originall whereof, as I remember, was sent by Colonel
Cartwright. Also I going to visit M'' Corbet in the prison of this towne, about his bailement,
was presented with a peticon from one Hoare, the which is here inclosed. So that by this you
may in part see the greivances of His Ma"''" subjects here. If it have pleased God that Colonel
Cartwright did arrive safe, he can let you heare of more of the like nature. I wish that His
Ma"'' would take some speedy course for the redresse of these and the like innormities, and for
the suppression of the insolencies of these persons here.

Be pleased Sir to be a friend to me concerning the conteints of the inclosed to Colonel
Cartwright, which I have left open to your perusall. The reason is something hath been (as I
am informed ) maliciously reported concerning me, which hath come to His Ma"''" hearing &
rendered His Ma"' displeased with me ; the which I doubt not but to cleare myself of, and thereupon
have presimied to be so far bold & troublesome to His Ma"' as to send a letter to be presented
unto him about it ; the inclosed is a copy of it. If it have pleased God that Col. Cartwright be

JIO NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

taken, and you please to pardon nie for the giving you the trouble of presenting the inclosed (in
his stead ) to His Ma"" you will infinitely ingage me in thorough performance of what is my
duty and service to His Ma"'' and by some reall service acknowledg my selfe.

Sir

Your honours faithful! Servant
Boston Decemb. ) Robekt Cakk.

5. lGG-5. I

Sir. Although in the letter abovementioned sent to you by Thirston, I, with M'' ^lavericke

gave you a particular account of what was acted by us since the time of the Massachusets Gen''"

Courts proclamation by sound of Trumpet to that present time ; by sending you thereinclosed

the severall copies of materiall concerns ; notwithstanding I thought it not amiss to send you

here inclosed the originall letters from some of the Gentlemen in the Eastern parts, together

with one that came to my hands since we sent the afore mentioned letter, that you may see in

part what we more fully therein mentioned, concerning the precipitate actions of the Gentlemen

of the Bay of the Massachusets government. I shall need say no more in this ])ostcript at

present then I have said above, but that I am

Your Honours

Faithful! Servant

Robert Carr.

Iioport of tilt' Kimj'S CointiiiS'iioners coiiccrithiij 2Ia'Ssac]tu-st1t-^\ cic.

[ New England, I. 2r.2. ]

Tlie Colony of y^ Massachusetts was the last and liardlyest perswaded to use His Ma"" name
in their forms of Justice.

In this Colony, at the first coming over of y^ Comissioners, were many untruths raised and
sent into otlier Colonies, as that y* King had sent to raise 5000^ yearly for His Ma"" use, &•=
Whereupon Major Hathorne made a seditious speech at the head of his Company, and the late
Governour another at their Meeting house in Boston, but neither of them were so much as
questioned for it, by any of their Magistrates.

The Coniiss" visited all other Colonies before tliis, hojieing both tliat y" submission &
condescention of y" other Colonies to His Ma"''* desires would liave abated the refractoriness of
this Colony, which they much feared ; and that y*" assistance of Colonel! Nicliolls (whom they
expected) would have prevailed uiiicli. But neitlier exani|)les lun' reason could pi-e\aile with
them, to let y" Comiss" hear and detennine so much as those particular causes ( jM"' Deane's
and y" Indian Sacliinis ) which y*" King had comanded them to take care of, and to do justice
in, & though y' Comiss'"' ( who never desired that they should appear as delinquents but as
Defendants either by themscKcs or by their Attorneys) assured them tliat if they liad been
unjustly complayned of to His Ma"" their false accusers sliould be severely punished and tlieir
just dealing make knowne to His Ma"" and to all the world ; yet tliey proclaymed by sound of
trumpet, y' y" General! Court was the Supreaniest Judicatory in tluit Province, tliat y"

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. • IH

Comiss" pretending to hear appeales was a breach of their priviledges, granted them by the
Kings royall father & contirm'd to them by His Ma"^' owne letter, and tliat they could not perniit
it. By which they have for the present silenc't about thirty petitions which desired justice
against them, and were all lost at sea.

To elude His jNIa"''" desire of their admitting men civill and of competent estates to be free-men,
they have made an Act whereby he that is 24 yeares old, a housekeeper, and brings one certificate
of his civill life, another of his being orthodox in matters of faith, and a third of his paying ten
shillings (besides head-money) at a single rate, may then have liberty to make his desire known
to y^ Court, and it shall be put to y"" vote.

The Comiss''' examin'd many townshipps & found that scarce three in a hundred pay 10' at a
single rate ; yet if this rate was generall it would be just ; but he y' is a Church-Member,
though he be a servant and pay not 2'^ niay be a Freeman.

They will not admit any who is not a member of their Church, to y" Cumuuion, nor their
children to baptisme yet they will marry their children to those whom they will not
admitt to baptisme, if they be rich. They did imprison and barbarously use M^ Jourdain for
baptizing children ; as himself complaiu'd in his petition to y* Comiss". Tiiose whom they
will not admit to y' Comunion they compell to come to tiieir sermons by forcing from them
five shillings for every neglect ; yet these men thought their own paying of one shilling, for not
coming to prayers in England was an insupportable tyranny.

They have put many Quakers to death, of other Provinces, (for which also they are petitioned
against.) First they banish't them as Quakers upon pain of death, and then executed them for
returning. They have beaten some to jelly, and been (other ways) exceeding cruell to others ;
and they say the King allowes it in his letters to them. Indeed they have misconstrued all the
King's letters to their owne seuce. They yet pray constantly for their persecuted bretheren in
England.

They have many things in their lawes derogatory to His 5la"" honour; of which y« Com"
made a breviat and desired that tiiey might be altered ; but they have yet done notliiu"- in it.
Amongst others, who ever keeps Christmas Day is to pay Five Pounds.

They caused at length a Mapp of their Territories to be made, but it was made in a chamber
by direction and guess. In it they claime Fort Albany, and beyond it all the lands to the South
Sea. By their South line they intrench upon the Colonies of new Plymouth, Rode Island, and
Conecticot ; and on the East they have usurped Captain Mason's and S"' Ferdinand Gorges
patents & said that y'^ Comiss" had nothing to doe betwixt them and M'' Gorge, because His
Ma"^ comanded them either to deliver possession to M"' Gorge or to give His Ma"'" reasons why
they did not.

The Coniiss" being at Piscatocpiay when they receaved His 31a"''' letter which comanded
them to see the Harbours fortified &'^ sent their warrants to fbwer towns upon that river,
requiring them to meet at such a time and place to heare His Ma"" letter read ; one of these
waiTants was sent post to Boston, from whence two Marshalls are sent by the Govenior and
Councell with another warrant to forbid the townes either to meet or to do anything comanded
them by the Com" at their utmost perills, and withall sent an unbeseeming letter to y' Coniiss",
both w"^"" letter and wan-ant were lost at sea.

Colonell Whalley and Goff were entertained by the Magistrates with great solemnity and
feasted in every place ; after, they were told they were Traytors, and ought to be apprehended.
They made their abode at Cambridge untill they were furnisht with horses and a guide, and

X12 ■ NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

sent away to Newlmven for their more security. Captain Daniell Gooking is reported to have
brought over, & to manage their estates ; and the Comiss" being infonned that he had many
cattle at his farme in y*" King's Province, which were suspected to be Whalleys or GofFs, caused
them to be seized for His Ma"" use, till further orders. But Capt. Gooking standing upon the
priviledge of their Charter and refusing to answer before y'' Comiss" as so, there was no more
done in it. Capt. Pierce, wlio transported Wlialley and (ioffinto New-England, may prolinbly
say something to their estate.

They of this Colony say that king Charles y= First gave them power to make lawes and
execute them, & granted them a Cliarter as a warrant against himself & his successors, and that
so long as they pay tlie fifth part of all gold and silver oar which they shall get, they are free to
use their priviledges granted them, & that they are not obhged to the King, but by civility.

They hope, by writing, to tire the King, the Lord Chancellor and y' secretaries too ; seven
yeares they can easily spin out by writing, and before that time a change may come. Nay,
some have dared to say, wlio knowes what y*" event of this Dutch warr may be (

This Colony furnished Cromwell with many instruments out of tlieir Corporation and their
Colledge ; and those y' have retreated thither since His Ma"" happy returne, are much respected
and many advanced to be Magistrates. They did solicit Cromwell by one M'' Wensloe to be
declared a Free State, and many times in their lawes stile themselves this State, this
CoMON-wEALTH, & now beleivc themselves to be so.

They demand what taxes tliey please, but their accompts could never yet be seen. Some
few soldiers they keep at their Castle. Tlie Governor hath a hundred pound yearly, every
Magistrate ^'30. &=

They convert Indians by hiring them to come & heare sermons, by teaching them not to
obey their heathen Sachims, and by appointing rulers amongst them, over tenns, twenties,
fifties &^ The lives, manners, & halnts, of those whom they say are converted cannot be
distinguished from those who are not, except it be by being hired to heare sermons, which the
more generous natives scorne.

This Colony which hath engrossed the whole trade of New England, and is therefore the
richest, hath many towns, but not one regularly built within its just limits ; w'^'' y^ Comiss" find
to be Seconnet Brook on y* South West and Merrimack River on the Nortii East, and two right
lines drawn from each of those two places till they come within twenty miles of Hudsons River ;
for that is already planted and given to His Royall Highness. Boston is y^ clieif towne in it,
seated upon a Peninsula in the bottom of a Bay, which is a good harbour and full of fish. It
was fortified this yeare 16G-5 witli two Block houses. They had before a castle upon an Island
in the roade, where shipps must pass about five or six miles from the towne. Their houses are
generally wooden their streets crooked, witli little decency &: no uniformity and there neither
dayes, months, seasons of the yeare, churches nor inns are known by their English names. At
Cambridg they have a wooden colledg, and in y" yard a brick pile of two bayes, for tlie Indians,
where y'= Comiss" saw but one. They said they had three or four more at schole. It may be
feared y' this colledge may afford as many schismaticks to y^ Church, and y"= Corporation as
many rebells to y"" King, as formerly they have done, if not timely prevented.

In this Colony too, the King iiath very many loyall subjects, who petition'd their Generall
Court, at His Ma"" iirst coming in, for the owning of His Ma"" and now lately for complying
with His Ma"" Comiss" but have had neither answer nor good look since. Tiiey are sorry that
so few ( for there are scarce above eight of the most factious ) should carry on so strong a

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 113

faction, yet they tu'e so overawed that they can do notlihig to remedy it. They only say, that
it is now with them as it was with the King's party in Cromwell's time. One of these was
derided for being so civill as to accompany one of the Comiss" from y^ town where he lived to
Boston, and others of Boston derided tliose of Rode Island for having yeilded so much to y'
Comiss" In Boston lyes ten iron guns brought from y^ French fort taken in Cromwells time,
which would do well at Piscatoquay to defend tlie mouth of that River where the masts are
laden, if they be the Kings.

On September 10. 1G64 they published by order of Court, a paper to deter and atlrighten all
from making any complaints to the Comiss"

The comodities of y' Countrcy are fish w'^^ is sent into France Spaine and y'' Streights,
pipe-staves, masts, firr-boards, some pitch and tarr, pork, beif, horses and corne ; which they
send to Virginia, Barbados &'^ and take tobacco and sugar for payment, which they (after) send
for England. There is good store of iron made in this Province. Their way of goverment is
Common-wealth-like ; their way of worship is rude and called Congregationall ; they are zealous
in it, for they persecute all other formes.

Colonel ^ucoUs to Lord Arlington.

[New England, I. 2S7. ]

]\Iy Lord.

After a long expectation of His Ma"" further directions towards the settlement of Delaware
River for which I heare not of any patent yet graunted, till W*" time it must and hath remained
under my care and to my great charge with all the inconveniences which usually attend on the
want of necessaryes to souldjers & the little probability of paying the arrears to all the poors
officers and souldy''^ in this expedition, after the full performance of the worke to which they were
imployed, unlesse His Ma"^ will most gratiously looke up [on] us as men devoted to act & suffer
whatever is possible for his service, in which wee have now spent two full yeares. This expresse
will come to your Lop^ hands by M' Stocke, to whom, as recomended first by your selfe, I gave
a colours, & next for his owne meritts I have made him Comissary, in both which capacityes
bee hath served His INIa'"' faithfully & prudently ; to whose report I may referre your Lop and
shorten my discorse of the scituation & interest of that River, well knowing that my Lord
Baltimore can never make good his pretences within twenty miles of any part of the River by the
lines mentioned in his patent ; and that His Lqp may not mislead His Ma''"' with many and faire
wordes, I take the boldnesse to offer that in all patents where the vaination of the compasse in
point of latitude is not expres't, a reall and strict difference may bee justly argued and proov'd
to the variation of a degree & a halfe in these parts from England. My Lord it hath pleased
His Royall Highnesse to grant by indenture to my Lord Berkeley and S' George Carteret
(amongst other tracts of inevitable prejudice to this Colony) all the East side of Delaware
River. My humble conception & certaine knowledge directs me to informe Yo' Lqp that by the
unskillfullnesse of the informers the West side of Delaware River now seated with Sweeds,
Finns, and Dutch, is so crush'd between the Lord Baltimore's Patent on y' West side, and the
Lord Berkeley's indenture on the East, that the present inhabitants cannot possibly subsist in
Vol. III. 15

114 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

so narrow a coinpa.sse. In discharge of my duly to His Ma''^ I cannot but infornie Yo'' Loi" that
ii' some course bee not talven to rectify these great mistakes, New Yorke, DeLaware and the
Lord Berkeley's interest will destroy each other ; but if His Ma'"^ & His Royall Highnesse shall
tiiinke fitt to graunt to the Lord Berkeley S'" George Carteret and their associates all that tract
of land to the West side and P^ast side of Delaware River which was recovered to His Ma"*"'
dominions from the hands of the Burgeniasters of Amsterdam, which was twenty miles distance
from each side of the Iiiver, I make no doubt but that all interests will bee fidly preserved, and
both planters and trade flourish in that & this Colony.

My Lord as to the general! interest of this His Royall Highnesse his Colony, I have wrote to
His Royall Highnesse, my Lord Chancello'' and INf Coventry; yet in regard the inhabitants (at
least three parts of foure) being Dutch, (though now His Ma''''* subjects as native English) have
beene seated here divers yeares as a factory, and their estates as well as relations interwoven
with their correspondents and friends in Holland, unlesse His jNIa"" pleaseth to graimt them
some extraordinary infranchisement, the sudden interruption of their factory w"" Holland will
absolutely destroy all the present inhabitants, who (setting aside the innate love to their country
in this time of warre after so sudden a change) will proove better subjects then wee have foimd
in some of the other Colonyes, and with a moderate permission both for time and trade, will
support this government better then can be reasonably expected from new comers of o'' owne
nation, who at first (as wee find by experience) are blowne up with large designes, but not
knowing the knacke of trading here to differ from most other places, they meet with
discouragements and stay not to become wiser. My Lord by these enclosed papers the copyes
of our transactions at Boston, the originalls whereof were sent and taken with Colonell George
Cartwright, His Ma"'' will read the sophistry of the Massachusetts, initill such time as wee did
presse them to a positive obedience, and then they do nnmaske themselves. Wee did parcell
out His Ma"''' instructions to gaine one point after another from them, & did deliver them in
writing, with a promise from them to cause the whole to be printed for the information of the
people ; but they neither have or will publish any parts of the whole, except their furious
Proclamation. They & all tlie other Colonies are at a stand to see what reproofe His Ma"°
will send over, for we heare that Colonell Cartwright was put ashore in iSpaine and I hope
hath beene so happy as to give His Ma"" a particular verball account, for hee is well able to
make an exact relation, Sir Robert Carr is now here and transmitts divers other papers, of later
transactions, to Yo' Lop. M"" Mavericke is still at Boston with some few of his old friends.
Though Sir Robert Carr for private ends did not answer the just expectation from him, yet hee
bath upon better consideration serv'd His Ma""" in following his comission ever since to the best
of his skill and faculties ; whereof Colonell Cartwright hath had experience.

I dare not presume to find out a way to bring downe the pride of the INIassachusetls, because
the matter is long since before His Ma"* yet to mee it is evident that the scituation of this place
(with the premises thereunto relating considered) will withdraw in short time most of their
trade hither, where I have begun to sett up a schoole of better religion & obedience to God &
the King, from which small beginnings a reformation may proceed, if it shall please God to
blesse my endeavo'^'.

My Lord I nmst heartily begg yo"' favo"' that a speedy consideration bee taken of the necessityes
both of the sould"'" and countrey. For myselfe I am utterly ruin'd in my small estate and creditt,
&, which is worse, without very great supplyes I shall not bee able to secure or make an honest
defence of His Ma"'"' interest, should wee bee attack't by a forain force. In which case I tooke

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 115

so much trvall tlie last yeare, of our neiiilibo''' of CoueL'ticott, tliat. I cauuot depend upon any
better hands than those few which I brought with mee, who are also dispers't into foure garrisons,
the nearest is a hundred miles distant from the center, the second a hundred and fifty miles, the
furthest two hundred &: fifty miles. My ignorance made mee bold to undertake so great a
charge, which will become a much wiser man and of a more plentifull fortune. To this
discourse I shall onely adde that the Comissioners have neither money nor credit! left to follow
the trust reposed in them, from place to place, but now ride at anchor till the storme of their
necessities is blowne over by His Ma''" favourable supply.

My Lord I heare that the Privateers of Jamaica have taken severall islands from the Dutch,
which are open and not defensible places, and afforded them good store of booty, but they have
left a piece of service of the greatest consequence and difficulty, which is Curazaw, and if His
Ma"^ should not cause that place to bee taken, the thorne will bee still left in the foot of all those
Leward Islands, which may, by His Ma"" positive order either to my Lord Willoughby or the
Govemo'' of Jamaica, he remoov'd. To that Island all the negroes from Guinny are brought,
and sold to the Genoveses who are facto''* for the Spanish Merchants. Were y* Dutch driven
from thence, their trade in Guinny would not bee halfe so considerable as it is, and the
Spanyards would soone court the Royall Company with pieces of Eight.

I hope Yo' LoP will give a favourable intei-pretatiou to my good meaning for the informations
of some may bee byassed w"" private interest ; mine are merely to serve His Ma"^, wherein the
performance of my duty will excuse my weaknesse : all w"^"" is long knowne to Yo'' Lo? however
you have beene pleas'd to place me in a quality (wherein I shall endeavour to remaine) of being

My Lord
Aprill the g"- [1G6G.] ] Yo' Loi" most humble

New Yorke. j and must faithfull servant.

To the Lord Arlington. R. Nicolls.

Colonel JVicoll,9 to Lord Ai-lirujton.

[New England, I. 295.]

Right Hon"'^

In consideracon of the good service done by Sir Rob' Carr, Capt. John Carr, and Ensigne
Arthur Stock in reducing Deleware from the Dutch to His Ma''*"' obedience, the Commission"
did thinke it reasonable (as far as in them lay) to conferre on them the houses and lands
belonging to the Dutch principall Officers. I do therefore recommend unto you, by M' Stock,
that you would please to procure unto them a graunt and confirmacon of the severall plantacons
and lands heretofore in y* possession of those officers, that is to say, the Governour Inniosa's
Island to S' Robert Carr, the Scout's House and land to Capt. Carr, and the Dutch Ensignes
Peter Aldricks land to M' Stock ; of w"''" they have had possession ever since the taking of the
place. As to particulars I referr you to him for farther inibrmation, and remaine

Right Hon"''-

Your most humble Servant
Fort James in New York | Richard Nicolls.

the lO"" day of April 1666 j To the Lord Arlington

X16 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCKIPTS.

Lord Chancellor Clarendon to Colonel JS^ieolls.

[New England, I. 341.]

Sir

I have never omitted any oportunity that hath been offered me to write to you, and 3'et
I have cause to believe by what I have seen of yo" to other men, tliat many of mine have
miscarried. 1 hope Colonel Cartret liath given you an accompt of all tliat hath passed since his
arrivall, & how long it was before he arrived after many misfortunes, and then you will
find that your friends here have not been unmindfull of you — I know not whether this letter
will come to yo' hands liy a sliipp to which the Duke hath given a passe and which is bound to
go to New Yorke, or wlietiier it will come by another shipp fraighted by some merchants with
a good cargo, upon the Dukes desire, in which there will he some comodities sent upon the
Dukes accompt for the benefitt of the soldiers, according to the advice wee have received from
Colonell Cartret of what will be most wanted. I know not what to say to the demeanour of
the Massachusetts Colon}', only that I am very glad that the other Colonies behave themselves so
dutifully ; for which they will receive thanks from the King ; and what sense His Ma"'' hath of
the behaviour of those of Boston you will find by the inclosed, whereof I suppose M'' Secretary
Morrice hath sent you the originall to be sent to those of Boston, one or two more being sent
thither by other conveyances that they may be sure to have notice. And if tliey do not give
obedience to it, wee shall give them cause to repent it. For His Ma'^ will not sett downe by
the affi'onts which he hath received. Though His Ma'^' thinks litt to recall his Com" who have
in truth done all they ouglit to doe, at least as much as they arc sutlored to do, yet it is not
his purpose to recall any body whose businesse or inclination makes it convenient for them to
recyde there ; and I heare M'' Maverick resolves to stay in those parts. It will be necessary
that some of you be here, when those of that Province from Boston sliall arrive. I hope
Colonell Cartret will be here, and then His Ma''' will be able to put an end to all disputes. I
suppose the same ship which brings this to j'ou, will likewise carry what is sent by His ]Ma''' for
the use of the Commissioners in such comodities as upon advice witii Colonel Cartret are thouglit
most proper. I find your friends of Rowhampton believe that you have travelled long enough
and that you intend shortly to returne home, and tiien I hope some others will receive
encouragement by yo'' example to looke a little abroad, and imploy themselves in doing good for
their Country. I wish you all happynesse and am very heartily

&■■

Your affectionate Sei-v'
{ signed ) Clarendon. C.

Worcester House
13. Apr. 1G6G.

Coll. Nicolls.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. . 117

Colonel Kicoll-s to the Coymnissaries at Albany.

[ New York Tapers, I. 35. ]

Messieurs

Yo" of the 12"" CuiTant is receiu'd, the particulars whereof are taken into consideration, to
the first point I hope you will have no cause to be jealous that the Souldiers should disturbe the
Trade with the ludyans, but your memory does faile you of w' past the last yeare for I was
pra?sent and you cannot but know that all the trading was done and the whole Troopes marcht
away before that two or tliree drunken Rascalls took two or three guns from the Indyans which
were immediately restored. You need not to doubt of Capt. Bakers care to obserue my orders
for the freedome of tiie Trade &" and I wish you would doe the like amongst the Burgers to the
second.

I am and euer was of opinion that eveiy inhabitant ought to exercise his trade without
molestation and whereas you are appointed to make such orders as conduce to the benefitt of
the Inhabitants, it depends upon you to regulate the number of Bakers without excluding such
as are already pri\iledgt, and yet it is worthy y"' consideration to direct that all Bakers so
priviledgt by you should be constant Bakers, for the supply of the Towne in the winter as
well as for the Trade in the summer, so that I referre the Request of Gerret Lansinck and Jan
Jansen Vanderkell back to your discretions.
To the 30

I perceiue you haue demurred the execution of my order against Cobus the Loper till he gaue
you a particular new occasion, I expect your more ready complyance with my directions and
that you doe not over much relye upon your owne sense and Judgements hereafter, except in
cases wholly left to yourseules.
To the 4'"

Euery souldier ought to haue a blanket and som had bedding, for I cause them to be delivered
for their use but if any haue imbezeJd their accommodations it is a kind action of any Burger to
helpe their necessities and I Jiope no such great burden as to become a gi-ieuance of the
Inhabitants howeuer your Intelligence from N. Yorke is mistaken for their are no souldiers
quartered and accomodated in the Towne ; besides that the Towme paies 200 guilder a weeke
to the easing of those iipon whom souldiers are quartered. I referr you to my last by Capt.
Abraham in matters relating to the french.
To the 5'

I naue newly receiued a Letter from Goveraour Winthropp who giues me hopes that by his
and the Magistrates mediation with the Northern Indians, the Peace with the Maquais will be
facilitated, some Mahicanders are at Hertford in consultation with others the Rivers & Northern
Indians.

Lastly I must tell you that some priuiledges which I gaue you when I was at Albany are
either undervalued or not understood by yow, for heer is a Burger of this Towne who did proffer
50 Schepills of wheat to obtain liberty from mee to trade in Sewant and bread this sumer at
Albany. This is all at present from

Y-- aft""= freind
22"' June \

fort James f

To the Comissaries at Albany.

X18 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Relation of the March of the Governor of Canada into New - York

[ New-Tork Papers, I. !-■_*. ]

A Relation of the Govenio'' of Cannda liis INIairli with GOO volimteirs into y*"
territoryes of his Royall Highiies tlie Duke of Yoris.e in America.

Upon the 29"^ X^" last, Monsier Coarsell the Governour of Canada in Nova flrancia begun
his march witli neare 600 men, to seelve out tiieir inveterate ennemyes called the Mahauke
Indians in their owne country and forts, there to take reuenge upon them for the seuerall
murthers and Spoyles which the Barbarians had for many yeares exercised in Cannada upon the
French, and the Indians of those parts even to the ruine of most, but to the iusutlerable
discouragement of all those Inhabittauts, who being taken alive were usually tortured and eaten,
or burnt by the mauhaukes ; If not taken yet liv"* in perpetuall alarums to see tiieir dwelling
liowses burnt, their Cattell and corne destroyed. All which powerfull argimieuts furnish't y''
french with lieate enough to march over the flrozen lake of Canada, lying in the 60"" degree of
northerne latitude, and taking their tyme that the snow upon the gromid was hard frozen (though
in most places 4 foote deepe) made use of Indian snow shooes w^"" hath the very forme of a Rackett
tyed to each foote, wherby y' body and feet are kept from sincking into the snow, and because
it was not possible for horses to pass, or subsist in the snow, or for the soldiers to carry their
necessary provisions on their backes, and had lesse expectation to meeie w"' any releife in the
vast wilderness, the Gouerno'' caused slight sledges to bee made in good number, laying
provisions upon them, drew them over the snow with mastifl" doggs, all these difKcultyes put
together imjieded his march, and by the mistake of his guides hapned to fall short of the castles
of tile mauhaukes, and to take up his c[uarters or rather iiicamp upon the O"" of February within
2 myles of a small Village called Schouectade, lying w"'in the woods beyand fort Albany in y^
territoryes of his Royall Highness, and 3 dayes march from the first castle of the Mahaukes.

The French suposed they were then come to their designed place, and the rather because y'
evening they did rancounter w"" a party of the Mohaukes who made appearance of retreating
from the French, whereupon a party of GO of their best Fusileers after them, but that small
party drew the French into an Ambuscado of neare 200 Mohaukes planted behind trees, (wlio
taking their advantage as it fell into their hands,) at one valley slew Eleauen French men whereof
one was a Lieuten' wounded divers others, the french party made an hono''able retreit to their
body, w"'' was marching after them close at hand, w'^'" gave the Mohaukes tyme & opportunity
to march off w"" the loss of only 3 slaine upon the place, & G wounded, the report whereof was
soone brought to Schonecktade by those Indians, with the heads of 4 of the ffrench to the
comissary of the village who imediately dispatcht the newes to Fort Albany from whence the
next day 3 of the principle inhabitants were sent to Monsieur Coursell the Governo"" of Cannada
to inquire of his intentions to bring such a body of armed men into the dominions of his Ma''"'
of Great Brittaine w"'oul accquainting the Governo"' of these parts w"' his designes. The
Govenio'' reply'' that he came to seek out and destroy his Enemyes the Mohaukes, without
intention of visiting their plantations, or else molest any of his ftla"''' subjects and that had not
heard of the reducing those parts to his Ma''^' obedience, but desired that bee and his soldiers
might bee supplied with provisions for their money, and that his wounded men might be
sucoured, and taken care for in Albany ; To all which the Emissaryes freely consented & made

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 119

a small but acceptable present of wine and provisions to liini, furtlier offering the best
accomodations y= poore village afforded, W*" was civilly rct'us'd in regard there was not
accomodacon for his soldyers, with whom hee had marcht and canipt under the blew canopye of
the heavens full six weekes, but he prudently foresaw a greater inconvenience, if hee had
brought his weary & halfe starv'd people within the smell of a chimney corner, whom hee now
cold keepe from stragling or running away, not knowing whither to runu for feare of y° Indians ;
The next day jNIonsieur Corsell sent his men to the \allage where they were carefully drest and
sent to Albany, being seaven in number, the Dutch bores carryed to the camp such provisions as
they had, and were too well payd for it. Especially peaz & bread, of W^"" a good quantity was
bought : y^ Mohaukes were all gone to their castles, with resolution to fight it out against the
french, who being refresht and supplyed w"" the aforesaid provisions made a shew of marching
towards the Mohaukes castles, but with faces about & great sylence & dilligence return'd
towards Cannada.

Upon the IS"" of February, whether a Panick feare, some mutin}", or y"" probabillity of the
thawing of y* lake, caus'd this suddein {w^^ the Indians call a dishono''able retreit ) I cannot
leame, but surely soe bould and hardy an attempt ( circumstances considered ) hath not hapned
in any age. All W^"" vaiiisht like false fyer, & hath giv^n new courage to their old enemyes y''
Mauhauks who by their spyes hearing of y^ retreat of y^ French pursued them back to the Lake,
but the French making more speed to them from' Canada, the Mohaukes did noe considerable
prejudice to them onely tooke 3 one of w"^*" at his own request they slew, not being able to
march, the other they kept prisoners, they found 5 others dead in the way vdth hunger & cold,
but according to their manner brought the crownes of their heads away, those who observed
the words and countenance of Monsieur Coursell, saw him disturbed in minde that the King
was Master of these parts of the country, where hee expected to have found the Dutch interest
upermost saying that the King of England did graspe at all America, but hee did not beleive to
see the Dutch the Masters ei'e long ; he enquired what Garrison or what Fort was at Albany,
'twas told him a Captain and 60 English soldj-ers with 9 peece of ordinance in a small fort of
foure Bastions, and that the Cap' thereof Cap' Baker had sent for 20 men from another Garrison
of the Kings at the Sopes, who probably might be arrived at Albany the same bower, thus finding
his men tyr'd, the Mohaukes resolute, and something doubtfull, without tryall of the good will
of the English Garrison, because y^ reports were strong that y* French King & states of
Holland were united against His Ma"*" of England. Monsieur Coursell found it reasonable to
returne home nothing effected, the 2 Prisoners taken by the Mohaukes in the retreat, tell them
y' this summer another attempt will be made upon their Country with a greater force and
supplyes of men, the truth or success of which I shall not now discourse upon having given y"
trew relation of what past from the 29"" of Decemb'. to the 12"" of February.

Endorsed

" A Relation of the Governor
of Cannada his March, with
600 voluntiers, into the Ter-
ritorys of his Highnesse the
Duke of Yorke, in America "

120 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel Nicolls to tlie Council of Mmmclm-setts.

[ New England, I. 843. ]

Gentlemen.

I have lately heard that His Ma''" hath authorizd and required yow to reduce Canada to His
ISIa''" obedience ; therefore I thinke it nij^ duty ( for severall respects ) to give yow advertisement
of an opportunity which presents itselfe towards the facilitating if not wholly effecting the
worke at once ; for I received letters yesterday that the French were marching ( in number
according to the Indians computation about 700 men) towards Alban}^ I presume they will not
openly profess themselves enemies to us till they have either vanquisht the Mohawks or made
peace with them. However I have strengthen'd my garrison in the Fort, to withstand their
attempts. Hereof I have also sent Govemour Winthrop an account & cannot imagine any
reason to the contrary why so faire an advantage against the French, should be let slip, since
His Ma'''^' directions therein are so positive ; & truly if from your Colony a speedy force of
horse and dragoons not exceeding 150 would march and joine with a proportionable number of
Conecticott Colony ; in all probability few of the French could returue to Canada, whose whole
strength is now so farr ingaged from home, and by consequence the rest of the French wnll not
be able to make any considerable resistance. The necessity of your speedy determination
herein is so evident, that I shall not make use of other arguments ; onely assuring yow of my
utmost endeavours to serve His Ma"' upon this occasion in the defence of his dominions ; not
doubting but that the common safety is pretious to yow, although the danger at present more
immediately threatens this Colony. I remitt tlie consideration of the pra?mises to your serious
thoughts, and remaine

Your very aft" "^ freind &- servant
July the G"" 6G ] Richard Nicolls.

Fort James in N. Yorke

Massachusetts

Samuel Willis to Colonel Nicolls,

I New EngLind, I. Wo. ]

Hartford July 11"' 1666.
Right Honourable

Yours to our Govern'' dated July S"* hath been by him imparted to us the tenth of this instant,
& upon much debate and serious consideration of the case, we thought good to retm-ne as
followeth. Yo"' Hono'' consideration of o"" multiplicity of occasions at this season is very
certaine, our want of servants and help to inn our harvest is great, that all hands are fully
improved ; so that we. shall be attended with mucli difficulty to spare any men from our
businesse ; yet wee shall study the publique safety ; but therein as the case is circumstanced wee
finde noe small difficulty, viz' because the Mohawkes upon whome the French are now warring,
have bin a long season inveterate enemies to the Indians round about us, which will in reason
engage them w"" the French ( whoe are their great freinds ) against the Mowhawkes, and against

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. Igl

us allso, if wee should warr w"* the French. And j^our Honour well knowes the hazzard of an
intestine enemie. Your Honour allso ( as you writte ) hath so farr engaged w"' the Mohawkes,
as to encourage them in the warr against the French, and notwithstandinge those treaties that
have hiu with the Movvliawkes for peace with the Indians about us, they yet with gi-eat force
manage their warr with the sayd Indians, and they have very lately killed and taken nine or
tenn of the sayd Indians, and yesterday there was a party of the Movvhawkes at Podunck ( a
place between this towne and Windsor ) whoe were discovered by the Indians, and as sone as
discovered they fled. These things considered, ( w"" the number of Indians that are round
about us) makes it difficult to us to part with any of our strength from hence, untill there could
be an agreement or at least a cessation of warr for som sett time concluded upon, between the
Movvhawkes and our Indians. However for our owne and the publique safety, wee se we are
called to sett ourselves in a posture of defence, and in order thereunto shall send forth our speciall
order to i-equire our millitary men in there respective townes to see their amies fitted for service,
both horss and foot, & in readiuesse for any spetiall occation. We are informed that it will be
very difficult to pass to Fort Albany w"" a troope, the way is so bad ; but if we have occation
we must pass as we may. Sir we are glad to hear of your Honours care for the supply and
strengthening of your garrison at Albany it being the frontier. Yet we hope they will be in no
danger of the French as long as the Mowhawks stand ; and propound whether it may not be
good to let the French and Mowhawks try it out awhile, and if the Dutch can be kept from
snpplyeing of them, their necessities with the opposition of the Mowhawkes, will much weaken
them & put them into so bad a condition that they may be farr easier dealt w"'all. We hope
all the Colonies will be ready to attend their duty ; and we have this day sent to the
Goveniour and Councill of the Massachusets to informe them of the motion of the French and
to desire them to impower some in their townes above us to joyne w"" us, if need require, both
in Councill and assistance against a forraigne enemie ; they being in as great hazzard as your
Hono" towne or ours ; they lyeing ue.xt Fort Albany. We have not farther to add but w"" the
presentation and tender of our service to your Hono'' we take leave to subscribe our selves,
Your Honours assured freinds and Humble Servants

- ' Samuel Willis

In the name of the Govern'
Coll. Nicolls. and Assistants.

Treaty of Peace between the Iroquois and Governor de Tracy.

[TRANSLATED FEOM THE FRENCH.]
[ New-York Papers III. A. 2S. ]

Articles of Peace demanded by Si.x Iroquois Ambassadors, Garakontie, Annonhouaraton,
Gatienonties, Hotreoti, Hasendaientak and Gannontie of the Onnontague tribe as well in the name
of the said Tribe as in that of the two superior Cayugas and Senecas, conjointly with Achinnhara
of the Oneida Tribe in whose behalf, after he had adjoined himself to the Ambassadors, it was
stipulated and gi-anted in the name and on the behalf of the Most Christian King by Messire
Alexander de Prouville, Chevalier Seigneur de Tracy, Councilor of the King in iiis Councils,
Vol. ni. 16

J22 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

LieutAant General of His Mnjestj's Arms both in the Islands and Continent of South and North
America as well hy sea as hy land, hereunto sutHcieutly authorized and enii)owered by Letters
patents granted to him by his Majesty in date the .... in presence of and assisted by
Messire Daniel de Courcelles Councilor of the King in his Councils, Lieutenant General of his
Majesty's Armies and Governor of Acadia, the Island of Newfomidland and of Canada and by
Mtre Jean Talon, hkewise His Majesty's Councilor and Intendaut of Justice, Police and Finance
of New France : —

In the Name of God, the Creator of all, be it known to the whole Universe that tho' the •
former most Christian Kings of Glorious 3Iemory had frequently with danger, trouble and
expense sent their subjects to discover miknown Countries occupied by Savage Nations,
Barbarians and Infidels yet with so little success that until the reign of the Most High, Most
Excellent and Most puissant prince, Louis the fourteenth by the Grace of God, Most Christian
Kino- of France and Navarre, their Majesty's Amis were carried only to the Island of Montreal,
in the Teat river St Laurence ; but that God, in the reign of the said Lord the King, Louis the
Fourteenth, sustaining by his mercy His Majesty's pious designs, strengthening his generous
undertakings and blessing his Anns elsewhere victorious, opened to the French, his subjects, the
road to the four upper Iroquois Nations and introduced into the Countries bordering on Lake
Ontario the said French, as well to establish the name of Christ there as to subject to the
dominion of the French the Indian tribes there inhabiting ; the above named Ambassadors are
not come to demand a new peace, not pretending that the first miion of the Iroquois with the
French is broken or interrupted, but only to supplicate the confinnation of the former by
granting them the continuance of the same protection that they formeriy received from his
Majesty's Ai-nis and from his subjects who have resided at Onontague for several years ;
Whereupon it has been concluded and agreed upon as follows : —

Firstly,
That in as much as the four nations of ( )nnoutague, Cayuga, Seneca and Oneida most humbly
supplicate the said Lord the King to bury, with the massacred French, the memory of all the
vn-ono-s, excesses, injuries, and violences which they perpetrated in war against them ; protesting
that they did not -want to employ their arms and turn their hatchets against them ; that they are
even sorry for, and sensibly regret liaving done so, though they intended only to destroy the
Algonquius and Hurons their mortal enemies, protected by the French arms ; the said Lord the
King leaning much more to the side of clemency than to that of the punishment due to his just
resentments, forgets and pardons the said Iroquois the said wrongs, excesses, injuries and
violences ; And those Iroquois also forgive on their side the checks and offences they experienced,
whether from the Hurons or Algoncpiins, subjects of the said Lord the King, or living under his
protection, through infraction of the Treaties of peace formeriy made between them, the
massacre of their Ambassadors or by the retention of their presents without returning others of
a like sort.

2.

Tiiat the Hurons and Algonquius dwelling to the norlli of the JMver Saint Laurence, from

tlie Esquimaux & Bertiamistes in going up, even to the (Jreat Lake Huron or Mcr doner and to

the north of Lake Ontario, shall not be henceforth disturbed in the chase by the lour Iroquois

nations or troubled in their counucrce going down to trade at Montreal, Three Itivers, (iuei)ec

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 12:]

or any where else, either hj- land in the woods, or hy water in tiieir canoes, on any pretext
whatsoever ; the said Lord tlie King declaring from this moment that he holds them ail not
only under his protection but also as his proper subjects having been once acquired bv his
Majesty by right of subjection and vassalage ; so on the contrary, the said Iroquois Nations shall
be obhged to assist them in all their w^ants, whether in hunting, in peace or in war ; and that
the ditterences and enmities which have existed between the said Algonquins and Hurons and
between the Iroquois ceasing by the present treaty, there shall be a mutual friendship and
assistance between all the said tribes who shall live fraternally for their mutual defence under
the Gommon protection of the said Lord the King.

That the said Iroquois Nations having testified the respect and high consideration thev
entertained for the French name in the person of the man named Le iMoyne, inhabitant of
Montreal, subject of the said Lord the King, captured by them in War, whom they have carefully
presei-\'ed and returned with the same care and in the same condition to his proper abode with
another Frenchman their prisoner ; the said Lord the King will restore to them an Iroquois
Woman, a captive of the Algonquins, who resides at Three Rivers, as he now does a Huron
woman belonging to a refugee family at Seneca actually a Captive in the Huron fort at Quebec.

That agreeably to their desires and earnest prayers, two Black gowns (that is to say, two
Jesuit Fathers) shall be granted them, one of whom shall succeed to the Charitable Charge
which the late Father Le Moyne took of their Instruction ; that the said Iroquois shall in return
entertain towards the said two Black Gowns the like sentiments of gi'atitude they testified
towards the memory of said deceased Father, whose death they declared to have learned
passing Three Rivers, with great grief having even made a present to resuscitate him.
Likewise that an Armorer be sent them next spring to repair their anns broken against their
enemies, and a Surgeon to attend to their sick & wounded which they particularly desire and
which the said Lord the King willingly gi-ants to testify to them not only his zeal for the
advancement of Christianity & the Establishment of the faith, amongst them as well as their
salvation by having them instructed in the principles and mysteries of our Religion, but also the
benevolence and charity that induce his jNIajesty to furnish them temporal assistance so
necesssary and useful to them against diseases, their domestic enemies and foreign attacks.

That inasmuch as the four Iroquois Nations acknowledge tlie advantages they have derived
from the union with the French and from the commimication they had with them, when they
had them in their habitations, and in expectation of the like they ask the said Lord the King to
cause some French families to remove to Onontague, Cayuga and Seneca to settle in their
country, offering to aid them in their establishment and to sustain them with their power
against those Tribes that would wish to oppose or retard it, his Majesty engages to send some
thither next Spring along with the Ambassadors who are to bring back the ratification of the
present ti-eaty by the four nations, on condition that in each of these, fields shall be granted
suitable for the erection of Cabins to shelter said families and to plant some Indian com, to be
furnished for seed, in exchange for such their provisions as shall be transported for that purpose

j24 " NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

by the Frencli who will furnish the Iroquois tribes with some of these supplies ; that hunting
and fishing shall be common to the French families, who besides are to expect from the Iroquois
all the favorable aid and assistance that true brethren must render the one to the otiier.

6.

That in order to render the desired union of the Iroquois and French Nations the stronger and
more stable ; peace the more firm and enduring and correspondence the more easy, there shall
be sent from each of the four Upper Nations to Montreal, Three Rivers and Quebec two of the
principal Iroquois families to whom fields, grain and Indian corn shall be furnished besides the
privilege of hunting and fishing in conniion, which shall be granted them, and that for the
purpose of cementing and more strongly confirming that peace often made and as often broken,
and the better to engage the said Lord the King to continue his protection to the whole nation
in general, to which this opportmiity is presented to manifest its good intentions to hold the
French not merely by the hem and the fringe of the garment, but to clasp them cordially around
the waist.

7.

That upon the assurance given in the name of the four nations that they will not commit any
acts of hostility on the Algonquins and Hui-ons, the hatchet of the said French, Algonquins and
Hurons respectively will remain suspended as regards the said Iroquois Nation until the return
of the Ambassadors with the ratification of the present treaty, it being well understood that as
there are hunting and war parties of the Oneidas and Mohawks abroad, should these by
accident or design attack the French, Algonquins and Hurons ( which God forbid) the latter are
permitted to repel force by force, and to have recourse to arms lor the preservation of their
lives without having their justifiable resistance ascribed to an infraction of the treaty in
consequence of the death or defeat of said parties.

8.

That as the ignorance of the Mohawks respecting the arrival of the French is inexcusable,
the forts constructed and set out on the Richelieu river and in the vicinity of the said Mohawks
settlement, being sufficient to apprize them thereof, they are also without excuse for not having
sent Ambassadors to sue for peace, like the other Upper Nations ; that therefore this tribe alone
shall be excluded for the present from this treaty, the said Lord the King reserving to himself to
include them should he think proper, when they will send on their part to sue for peace 6c his
protection.

9tli and last.

That this present treaty of peace may continue sure, firm and inviolable and be fulfilled in
all the parts and articles contained, treated, granted and stipulated therein, between Messire
Alexander de Prouville, in presence of and assisted by as above, and the t>ix Iroquois Ambassadors
aforesaid, it shall, after having been read in the Iroquois tongue, be respectively signed on the one
side and the other to remain authentic and to be referred to in case of need; and its ratification
on the part of the four Upper Nations shall be connnunicated within four Moons by the return of
the same Ambassadors who being unable to sigu have voluntarily pledged themselves to affix
the distinctive mark of their tribes — The Bear,' the Wolf and the Tortoise, in presence of

' The word "Bear" is omitted in the LondoD, but insoi-tod iu the French copy, (Paris Doc. I.) -wliieh in many respects is
the most correct. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 125

Francois L% Mercier, Member, Priest and Superior of tlie Society of Jesus at Quebec, of Joseph
Marie Chaunionnot also priest and member of the said Society, aud of Charles Le Moyne
inhabitant of Montreal, all Interpreters of the Iroquois & Huron tongues, who have signed as
witnesses.

Done at Quebec the thirteenth December, One thousand Six hundred and Sixty five.

Ratification hj the Senecas of the preceding Treaty.

[TEANSLATED FEOM TUE FRENCH.]

On the twenty second of the month of May of the Year 16GG, the Iroquois of the Seneca
Nation bej'ond Onnondaga, having come down to Quebec to sue there for peace tlirough ten of
their Ambassadors named Garonhieguera, Sagaouichirtonk, Osendout, Gachioguentiaxa, Hotigue-
rion, Ondegouronton, Sonendaouannen, Tchaougouechaouenion Honaquetati, Tehonneritaguenti,
Tsohiaiiien, who after having communicated through the mouth of the Orator Garonhiaguera,
their Chief, the subject of their embassy by thirty words expressed by as many presents, have
unanimously demanded that having been always imder the protection of the most High,
most Excellent & most puissant Prince, Louis the fourteenth by the Grace of God most
Christian King of France and Navarre, since the French discovered their Country, it might
please his Majesty to continue it to them and to receive them in the number of his faithful
Subjects, demanding that the treaty concluded as well for the Onnondaga Nation as for their's may
have full force and entire effect for them, ratifying it on their part in all its points and articles,
which vv-ere read to them in the Iroquois Tongue by Joseph Marie Chaumonnot, Priest aud
member of the Society of Jesus, named in the Huron language Hecton, adding, moreover,
to all their said Articles that they protest to perform in good faith what they have proposed by
their said presents, especially to send some of their families to Quebec, Three Rivers and
Montreal to serve by their persons and wills as a more intimate bond under the orders of those
who hold authority in this Country from the Said Lord the King, whom they acknowledge
henceforth as their Sovereign ; Reciprocally demanding among other things that there be sent
to their Country some french families and some Black gowns — that is, some Jesuits to preach
the Gospel to them and to make known to them the God of the French, whom they promise to
love and adore, with assurance that they would not only prepare Cabins in which to lodge them,
but that they would moreover aid to construct forts to shelter them against the incm-sions of
their common Enemies, the Andastaeronnons i and others ; And, that the present treaty
concluded on their part in ratification of the preceding, may be stable and notorious, tiiey have
signed it with the differential & distinctive mark of their tribes after the said Lord the King had
granted them their requests thro' Messire Alexander de Prouville, Chevalier, Seigneur de Tracy
Councilor of the King in his Councils, Lieutenant General of his Majesty's Armies both on the

' Tlie Andastes, called also Guyandots, -were seated (as -we learn from Gallatin, Syn. Ind. Tr. 73,) on the Alleghany rirer,
and extended to the Ohio. Their eliief town is supposed to have been near Pittsburgh. The war between them and the
Iroquois continued from 1656 to 1672, when they were destroyed. They have left their name to the Great ond Little
Guyandotte, two tributaries, in the S. \V. of Virginia, to the Ohio. — Ed.

12G NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Islniuls and Mainland of North and vSouth Amerk'a, whetlier on sea or on land, in Virtue of the
power granted him whereof mention is made in the preceding Treaty, in presence of and
assisted by Messire Daniel de Remy Seigneur de Courcelle Councilor of the King in his
Councils, Lieut. General of his Majesty's Annies and Governor of Acadie, the Island of Newfound-
land and of Canada; and of Messire Jean Talon also His Majesty's Councilor and Intendant of
Justice, Police & Finance of New France, who have Signed with the said Lord de Tracy, and
as witnesses Francjois le Mercier, Priest, Member & Superior of the Society of Jesus,' Interpreter
of the Iroquois and Huron languages. Done at Quebec the 25 of May 1G66.

Hatlf cation of the '[)receding Treaty hy tlie Oneidas and Mohawlcs.

[TRANSLATED FEOM THE FKENCII. ]

On the 7"" of the month of July of the year 16GG, the Iroquois of the Oneida Nation, having
learned from the Mohawks, their neighbom-s and allies, and from the Dutch of Fort Orange that the
troops of Louis the fourteenth by the grace of God Most Christian King of France and
NavaiTe, had in the month of February of the said year carried his Majesty's arms, over the
snow and ice near unto Fort Orange in New Netherland, under the command of Messire Daniel
de Courcelle, Lieutenant General of his armies, pursuant to orders which they received from
Messire Alexander de Prouville knight, Lord de Tracy, member of his Majesty's Councils and
Lieutenant General of his armies, both in the Islands and mainland of South and North America,
as well by sea as by land, to fight and destroy the Mohawks, which probably tliey would have
accomplished, had not the mistake of their guides caused them to take one road for the other,
came down to Quebec to solicit peace as well in their own name as in that of the Mohawks by ten
of their Ambassadors, byname Soenres, Tsoenserouanne, Gannoukouenioton, Asaregouenioton,
Asaregouaune, Tsendiagou, Achinnhara, Togoukouaras, Oskaraquets, Akouehen, And after
having communicated by the mouth of their Orator and Chief Soenres, the object of their
Embassy by ten talks expressed by as many presents, and having handed to us the letters from the
olHcers of New Netherland, have imanimously requested, acknowledging the force of his
Majesty's arms and their weakness and the condition of the forts advanced towards them, and
moreover aware that the three upper Iroquois Nations have always experienced great benefit
from tiie protection which they formerly received from the said Lord the King, that his Majesty
would be pleased to extend to them the same favour by granting them the same protection, and
receiving them among the number of his true subjects, demanding that the Treaties formerly
made as well by the said Nations as by theirs, have the same force and validity Ibr that of the
INIoliawks, who ha\e riMjuii'i'd tlieni to solicit this of us witli gi'cat iiu])(>rtuuil y, as (hey should
jiavc themselves done l)v means of their Aml)assuilors had they not been ajjprehensive of bad
treatnieul at oiu' hands, ratifying on their part all the said Treaties in all their points and articles,
which have been read to llieni in (he Iroquois tongue by Joseph Marie Cliauuumnot, {iriest,
member of the Society of .lesus; adding, moreover, to all the said articles, whi(;h they protest
they execute in good fiiith, what tlu-y offered by their said jiresents, especially to restore all the

' "Anil (if Jiisrph Mario Cli;iuiiH)imot, likewise friest of the saiil Socict}'." — Paris Doc. I. 117.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 1^7

Frenchmeu, Algonquins, and Hurons whom tliey Iiokl prisoners among them of what condition and
quality they may be, and as long as any are detained there, even on tlie part of the Mohawks, to
send families from among themselves to serve, like those of other nations, as the most strict hostages
for their persons and dispositions to the orders of those who shall in this Country have authority
from the said Lord the King whom they acknowledge from this time as their- Sovereign ;
demanding reciprocally among all other things the restoration to them in good faith, of all those
of their Nation who are prisoners at Quebec, Montreal, and Three Rivers, that French families
and some Black gowns, that is Jesuits, be sent them, to preach the Gospel to them and to make
known to them the God of the French whom they promise to love and adore ; also that trade
and commerce be open to them with New France, by the Lake du Saint Sacremeiit, [L. George]
with the assm-ance on their part that they will provide in their country, a sure retreat as well to
the said families as to the trading merchants, not only by preparing cabins to lodge them in, but
also by assisting to erect forts to shelter them from their common enemies the Andastaeronnons
and others. And that the present Treaty, made on their part in ratification of the preceding,
may be stable and known unto all, they have signed it with the separate and distinctive marks
of their Tribes, after which what they solicited from the said Lord the King was granted to
them in his name by Messire Alexander de Prouville, Knight, Lord de Tracy member of the
King's Councils, Lieutenant General of His Majesty's annies both in the Islands and Continent
of South & North America, both by land & sea, by virtue of the power given him mention
whereof is made in the preceding treaties, in presence and with the assistance of Messire Daniel
de Remy Seigneur de Courcelles Councilor of the King in his Councils Lieutenant General of His
Majesty's annies Govemo"' of I'Accadie the Island of Newfoundland and Canada and of Messire
Jean Talon also His Majesty's Councilor and Intendant of Justice, Police, Finances of New
France who have signed with the said Lord de Tracy, and as witnessess Francois le Mercier
Priest, Member & Superior of the Society of Jesus at Quebec and Joseph Marie Chaumonnot
also Priest and Member of said Society, Interpreters of the Iroquois & Huron Tongues. Done
at Quebec the 12'-'^ July, IGGG.

Mr. Courcelles to Mr. UHlnse^ Surgeon at Alhaii>j.

[TEANSLATED FKOM THE FEENCn.]
[ New- York Papers, I. 12. ]

Sir,

I have received what you wrote nie on the seventeehth of March from which I learn the care
you took of the seven soldiers I left you when I departed. You also inform me that the
Iroquois Ambassadors all evince a favorable disposition for peace. The assurance thereof given
M. de Tracy by Mess" your directors ' in their letters, and Christian Charity have caused us
to adopt the resolution to listen to them and to treat them as favorably as possible — even to
grant them the Rev. Father Bescbefer accompanied by three other persons whom they desired,
in order that you and their nation may know that they have been most benignly listened to, and

■ Tlio Cuiniiiissaries, or Miigistriitcs of Alliaiiy. — Ed.

]^28 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

to assure tlie Mohawks that the_v may come in all safety. You will not liave much diffculty in
believina; that the letters they brought were of considerable service, M. Tracy being always
disposed to respect whatever your directors interest themselves in. This truth is sufficiently
conlirmed seeing our present posture here with a very considerable body of troops, which is the
true way to bring them to reason. Nevertheless, the parties commanded to go on war excursions
have received counter orders.

I am very glad, Sir, that your governor general has selected Mons"' Corlart to come hither.
That affords me great joy because I shall be very glad to see him, and he endorsing what the
Mohawks will tell us, we shall attach credit more willingly to it, being assured of his probity.

The Ambassadors have demanded forty days to come hither, I believe it is as much time as
will be necessary.

I cannot satisfy your curiosity regarding the news from Europe you ask for, our vessels not
having yet arrived. We have been only advised by the Savages come from L'acadie that ibur
French Ships had arrived at Gaspe and that eight others were expected, and as the wind for
coming here has been always unfavorable it has caused M. de Tracy to adopt the resolution
that INI. le Chevalier de Grand Fontaine, Captain in the Carignan Regiment, should embark in
a frigate & go in quest of all the letters brought us from France. You cannot leani any news
except on the return of M. Corlart, should he come here.

I request you to send back the seven soldiers if they are cured ; and as regards the eleven
which were unable to follow, as you advise me, I beg of you to arrange with tliose on whom it
depends, that they may return with M. Corlart if they be j'et with you ; and if an opportunity
offers I shall seize it to be serviceable to them and to you, also, of whom I am

Very affectionately

CoURCELLE.

Castle of Qubecq this twelfth July,
One thousand Six hundred & Sixty six

You will assure Mr Corlart and Mr. Rinselart that I thank them for their remembrance.

Mr. Madey to Mr. D''Hinse, Surgeon at Albany.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[ New- York Papers, I. 14. ]

Quebec, 12 July 1666.
Sir

This is to thank you for the kindness my brother in law and I experienced from you. We
are under like obligations to you and I beg of you to continue your friendship to me which I
greatly esteem, and shall every where cherish. 1 pray God that some occasion may present
for me to serve you ; it would be to me a day when I could oblige a person to whom I am
under so many obligations that he can not confer additional ones on me.

There is nothing new, except that there are four Sliips in the river which [will arrive] here
soon with troops. We expect this year eleven or twelve vessels with a large number of

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 129

Soldiers, for [last] year seven ships came [and we are] ten and eigiit [inontlis] withont people
from France.

I believe Monseigneur de Tracy will leave to visit your Indians for he is strongly

detennmed and I hope to have the honour to accomi)any him, and if the opportunity then oilers
I shall have the honour of visiting you at your residence in order the more fully to thank you,
and to request you, after having- Saluted both you and Madamoizel your wife to believe nie,

all my life,

Sir Your Servant,
A' Monsieur. ■ Madey.

Monsieur dains

Chiiiirgien en la Noule holande.

Governor Tracy to tJie Conunissai'ies at Albany.

[TKANSLATED FEO.M THE FEEXCH.]
[Ncw-Tork Papers, I. 10.

Gentlemen

In answer to your's of the 20"" March which was handed me by the Oneidas only on the 6""
instant, I shall say that in consideration of the public good and particularly on your account I
shall willingly accede to a reasonable peace with the whole of their nation, but on such
conditions 'as we shall consider just between us, when you will have taken the trouble of
repairing hither by order and authority of your Governo'' General.

But as said Iroquois have always forfeited their word and made use of so many extraordinary
cruelties it would not be prudent to lose the opportunity of destroying them when we have a
considerable body of troops. Every time you shall seriously reflect on their conduct, I am
persuaded you will be of the same opinion, since they fail not, after the obligations they owe us,
to e.xercise many acts of hostility towards the people under our government. And in order that
you should understand with how much confidence I act towards you I have given orders to two
detachments, eacli of two hundred men, whom I sent out from the forts, to return to their
quarters till further orders, though I have reason to fear that the complaisance I feel for what
you seem to desire will cost the hves of some poor people who may be killed by four parties
that the Irocjuois have despatched beyond their country. However, I prefer, this time, the
hazard of receiving this rebuff for the sake of the general tranquillity, than to be reproached
with having prevented it on account of the forces I command and which I presently expect,
having intelligence that of the twelve Ships the King has destined for this country, four are
already in the neighbourhood of Isle Perc^ee and Gaspe.

And in order that you may be persuaded that I always continue as well and as sincerely
disposed as when I acted in the Islands of America with my Lord Vuillingbye ' and those of the
Flemish Nation, I requested the Rev"* Father Superior of the Jesuits to permit the Rev. Father
Bechefer to repair to your quarters, with three other persons in order that he may give spiritual

' Qu. ! WiUougliby.— Ed.

Vol. m. 17

1:30 N"EW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

aid to those soldiers left there by ftlons'' de Courcelle, Governor General of Canada, in case any
were in danger of death. And as he is a person of great merit whom I slioidd have exempted
from a fatigue so wearisome had I not thought that the Iroquois, naturally distrustful, migl\t
feel safe (as they certainly are) when they will perceive that the said Father will serve them as
an escort on their return. You can place entire confidence in whatever he will tell you. And as
you may yourselves have reason to censure my actions should I lose time in useless conferences,
I have granted the Iroquois only forty days Irom the date of this letter to repair to this City.
I should be ver_v glad were this term abridged still further by your interference. I am

Gentlemen,
Quebec this 14"" July 166G. Your aftectionate friend

Tracy.

G. Fndove to Mr. ZyHlnse.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FREXCH.
[Xew-Tork Papers, I. 16.]

Quebec, 14"' July 1666.

Sir,

I did not like to miss this opportunity to write you these lines to testify to you the affection I
feel, to offer you my very humble services in these parts and to say to you that when the French
returned hither and I spoke to Sieur Banchaud, he told me that he saw and spoke to you without
mentioning me. I am very sorry for it, as I should have been greatly delighted had hf presented
my respects to you and even submitted one thing to j'ou, which I do that is — whether we
could have permission to sail to your colony. I'll acquaint you that I came here last Year when
I had the honour to see INIdlle. Cousseau at Rochelle, and being here I married her. Therefore I
expect to I'emain. This is the reason I much desire to arrange so with you as to be able to have
a permit to go in a bark to visit you in your parts. Therefore I request you to look to it and to
send me one by this same opportunity, that there may be every assurance for me and for
whatever I carry — also the most suitable articles for your country and their prices — also what
we can obtain from you, such as Wampum, whether black or white, etc. & the price, and if you
like, when I shall be with you, we shall trade together. I hope we may be able to make some
barter. I expect that from your friendship.

As for news there is no other except that we expect a vessel every day and have been advised
that ten or twelve are coming, and even that there are four towards Isle per^ee. By these we
shall have every intelligence. If we have letters I shall connnunicate the news to you and you
will do the same on your side.

I request you to inform me of every thing that will occur between the Iroquois and our
French. Awaiting the honour of Yours I am, 8ir,

Your very humble & very affectionate
Servant,

G. Fruioue.

With your permission, Sir, Mademoizelle your Wife and family will receive my most humble
respects and those of my Mistress and you particularly. I pray you on receipt of this letter not

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 131

to fail to send that of M"' Cousseau iu order to have an answer by the same opportunity. If the
Rev. Father hand you the letter I request you very humbly to aid him all 3"ou can, and you will
have conferred as great an obligation as if it were for me. Also, as regards the cattle you have,
oxen, cows, horses and others with their price
A Monsieur

Monsieur Dainse
at Orange.

Governor Tracy to tlie Commissaries of Albany.

[TRANSLATED FEOM THE FRENCH.]
[ New- York Papers, I. IS. ]

Gentlemen,

You will see by the letter I wrote you, the 14 of this month, the favorable disposition I had
for peace with the Iroquois, in order that as many as there are of us Europeans in this comatry,
may enjoy it. I even countermanded two detachments of two hundj'ed men each, as you will
see by mj- preceding despatch and as one of the Oneidas whom I sent will be able to tell yon.
Yet, after the assm-ances you gave me in writing that they should commit no act of hostility
they have assassinated seven of my young men, amongst whom were four gentlemen who
went hunting confiding iu what you had written me.

The very moment I received the news of a proceeding of this nature which is so opposed to
the laws of nations, I ordered the Rev"* Father Beschefer to return with the other persons I had
sent. I have also given orders that the aforesaid Oneidas should be seized at Three Rivers and
brought to me at this place with the exception of him who goes to you accompanied by a
French man who will hand you my first and this last letter, iu order that you may yourselves
consider the enormity of an act so rarely practised among European Christians, and to tell 3-ou,
as God is judge of my frankness and sincerity on this occasion, that I feel exculpated before
Him should I exercise the severest rigor upon the aforesaid Oneidas — which I should have
already executed without consideration — being certain that in addition to conscience
disapproving so black a transaction, honour will engage you to cause me to be attbrded, as
much as lies in your power, all the satisfaction I have a right to expect. Failing this, I am
determined to abandon to the mercy of the Algonquius the said Oneidas who are aware iu what
manner they are usually treated, and who oppose here as much as possible the conclusion of the
peace ; resemng to myself, besides, to make known to all Europe that my good faith has been
surprized thro' the assurances you gave me that no hostile act should be committed whilst we
were negotiating with the aforesaid Oneidas.

All I request of you is to detain the bearer hereof only so long as shall be necessary to
bring me back your intelligence, and to send him back in safety as far as our forts, with the
Resolution you shall consider it your duty to adopt in this present exigency. I am, Gentlemen,

Your affectionate friend
Endorsed, Mous. de Tracy his letter to Tracy.

the Commissaries of Albany,
the 22"' of July 1G66,

132 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. Ilei'td to Mr. D'llhise.

[ T K A N S L A T E D F E O M T 11 F, F R E N C H. ]
[ Ncw-Tcrk Papers, I. 21. ]

Sir,

I regret being obliged to write to you because I hoped to tell you verbnlh^ more than I can
by writing.

M. de Trasi and the Covernor [Courcelle] did uie the honour to select me to visit j-qu, but
tlie last blow struck by the Mohawks has stoi)])ed our journey. I am sorry for it. I confess to
you that I ex})erienced much fatigue during the war last winter. I arrived in alarm 4 or 5 hours
after the governor retired. It was with regret that 1 learned from several of our French that
they had seen you and even that you had the goodness to enquire for me, I acknowledge to you
that it was a misfortune not to have the happiness to see you that I might thank you once
more for the good treatment you gave me without having ever deserved it. But I hope that
Heaven will some day aftbrd me an opportunity to revenge myself not perhajjs so abundantly,
but at least with a good heart.

I will not give you here a long detail of my voyage ; I shall merely tell you that on quitting
INIauate I travelled full 100 leagues by canoe. Tiiere we found a ship which l^rought us to
Boston. When we were S days in our vessel from there, we came to a place called Cape Sable
— thence to a place called Port Royal, which is a French settlement where I wintered. In
the Spring an English pinnace left Boston for Quebec. I embarked on board her, we arrived in
Quebec, thank God, in good health.

As for news regarding myself, I shall inform you that I've got married since I was with you,
and have a big boy, who will be soon able to go and see you ; only let him have 11: or 15
years more and the one he has, that would be 16.

I shall not trouble you any further except to beg of j'ou to believe me the person who the
most in the world desires to testify to you that I am heartily and affectionately

Sir,

Your very humble.
And very obliged Servant,
Three Rivers Heiitel.

the 25"" July 1G66.

I beg you to salute in my behalf all my good friends yonder; especially M'' Montague,
Mr Corlart, M. the Minister and ail the family, particularly Mile. Jiis daughter & Mr Rinzelar.
I pray yiui to remember me to all whose names i gave you also those whose names I do not
know. You know l)(>tter than I those who were friends of mine. Salute tlu'u, if vou please,
Fellepe Jan Ifeut Folere RF Abram M'" 'I'onnel, Jan M'' Montague's Son, (.'orneli IJogardus
Jan Man Andre Martin and his Brother witlunit forgetting M'' labatit. In line every body.

I reqiu!st you to assun^ Madame Diusse of my very luunble submissions and that J shall
remember all my lifi^ the kindness she had for me. I beg you (o assure iier of my very dutiful
regards and thanks for the pains she took for a person who did not deserve it. But God will

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 133

be her reward. My good father and mother sahite you and Mad" Dinsse. My wife embraces
you and I\Ide Dinsse also, and thanks you for the good treatment you gave me. Adieu.
I forgot my best friends Ganatoc and his brother.

A Monsieur

Monsieur Dinsse residing

at fort Orange in New holand

at fort Orange. . .

Colonel Kicolls to Governor Tracy.

[ New-York Papers, I. 3. ]

Monsieur

I was in some measure surpris'd in february last with the newes of so considerable a force of
forreiners under the comand of Monsieur de Courcelle so farre advanct into these His Ma""
Dominions without my knowledge and Consent, or the least notice given of y' intentions to any
of His Ma"" Colonies then in amity with the French Nation : Although y"' proceedings heerin
were not conformable to the practise in Europe, yet all my Officers both Military and Civill
soone resolu'd to succour and releiue your Campe with such meane provisions as the country
affords, from a small village could bee expected and as they have in all former times been
very affectionate with Christian Chai'ity to rausome or by any other meanes to convey divers
French prisoners out of the hands of their bai-barous Enemies so also their sincere Intentions
towards you is manifest in their letter of the 26* of March last wherein their purpose was to
give you a speedy notice that the Maquaes were at last wrought upon to treat of peace if you on
j'our parts were so dispos'd but it seems (by a sad Accident intervening) you are pleas'd to lay
a greater burden upon them than they deserve after their sincere affections to your peace. To
both y'' Letters directed to the Captain and Comissaries at Albany themselves will retume
answer but hearing that you had Emploid Le S"' Couture with y'' letters I took a suddaine
Resolution to have discourse with him to w'^'" purpose I came hither but find that he is return'd
without the knowledge of the Capt. or Commissarie. I could have wisht that bee had staid
for mee or that I could wait his coming for I now want the opportunity of enlarging myself to
him and by him to y' selfe with how much Integrity I shall constantly attend the Europasan
Interest amidst the heathen in America as becomes a good Christian, provided that the bounds
and limitts of these His IMajesties of England's dominions be not invaded or the Peace and
safety of his subjects interrupted, In all other points I shall be found to entertaine y''
correspondence with mutuall Civility & respect the rather because the Reputation of y'' honour
hath spread itself in all these parts of the world, as well as it is known in Eiu'ope, whereof I
can beare some Testimony, when I had the honour to attend my master his R. H. the Duke of
York & Albany a ^e\\ yeares in the french army, and now that I serve the same Master in his
interest in this pai't of the world, I should count my selfe very fortunate in an opportunity at
least to acknowledge some part of y' great civilities to my Master and all his servants in their

134 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

low estate & condition of Exile, The memory whereof obligetii me (a seasonable time and
good occasion concuning) to give you certain proofe with how much truth I am, Sir,

Your most aft''* Servant

RiCHAED NXCOLLS.

Aug : St : Vet :
In fort Albany, 16G6.

A Monsieur, Monsieur Le Clievalier
et Seigneur de Tracy L' Generall
Du Roy tres Chrestien dans toute
L' Anierique. A Quebec.

Commissar ie.s of Alhaiiij to Oovernor Tracy.

[ New-Turk Piirers, I. 25, ]

My Lord.

Yo'' welcome Letters one of the 14"" of July last, & the other without date, were safely delivered
to us by Yo'' Envoy ( Mons'' Cousture ). By the first of them we with joye read That to preserve
Peace on all hands you have countermanded two parties ( eacli of 200 men ) who had order to
fall upon the Irocquois Indians & to destroy them, the which you did in consideration (as you
are pleased to tell us ) of a letter, which at the Request of tliose Indians, wee tooke the
boldnesse to write unto you (bearing date the SG"" of jNIarch last).

Wee are exceedingly obliged to you for the Complacency you expresse to have had for us in
yo"' former letter, But are also very much troubled that in yo"" latter you seeme to taxe us as if wee
were guilty of holding Intelligence w"" those Barbarians, Complaining that these asseurances
wee gave you in our said letter, that the Irocquois Indians should not coniit any Act of hostility so
long as you should bee in treaty with tliem had abused yo"' credulity, & was the cause that seven
young men were massacred ; To which (My Lord, ) wee shall returne you this answer, That if
you'l take y* paines to review our letter (of which here is a Copie enclosed) 3'ou'l not lind at all
that we did oblige ourselves to answer for the Actions of those Indians ; But you'l well perceive
that wee did admonish, nay enjoined them (as farre as wee had power over them) that they
should live quietly with the French, And wee were only induced to it by a Christian Charity,
being touclied to the heart with Compassion, for the euill usage yo"" nation hath receiued on
divers occasions from their cruelty ; Severall ftrench men that wee have redeemed, can confirme
this Truth to you, as also with what Tendernesse & aftection tliey have been received amongst
us ; Upon which ( My Lord) neitlier our Consciences nor Hono'' can any way bee found stained
with such evill Intents. Having rendred too many proofes how farre wee are & have beene
sensible of the misfortune which befell those young gentlemen ( as Mess" Cousture & Le Rolie
can acquaint you ) our Intentions being to confirme it to you upon all occasions that shall
present. And wee beg of you that you'l bee assured of it, by so nuich the rather for that it is My
Lord our Generalls order that wee write tliis to you, Hee iuiving also comanded us to tell you, that

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 135

since you have not well comi^rehended nor rightly explained our good Intents, W ee shall not for
the future intermedle with your affaires, which Comand wee shall obey, & Remaine, My Lord,

Your thrice humble & thrice affectionate Servant
[August 20, 16GG.] The Cap' & Comissames at Albany.

Acte of Possess- ion hy Sieur du JBois in the name of the King of France of the
Forts taken, from the Iroquois.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New-Yi.rk Papers, III. A. 29.]

In the year 16G6, the IT"' day of Octob., the King's troops conunanded by Messire Alexander de
Promille, Knight, Lord de Tracy Lieut. General of His Ma"" Naval armies both in the Islands
and Continent of Soutii and North America as well by sea as by land, aided by Messire Daniel de
Remy, Knight, Seigneur de Courcelles, Governor and Lieut. General for the King in New France,
being drawn up in battle array before the Fort of Andaraque, Jean Baptiste du Bois Esq' Sieur
de Cocreaumont and de St. Morice, Commandant of the Artillery of the Army, presented
himself at the head of the Army by order of Mons. Lord de Tracy, and deputed by M. Jean
Talon, King's Councilor in his State and Privy Councils, Intendant General of Justice, Police,
and Finance in New France, for the inspection and direction of the supplies of the Troops, who
declared and said that at the request of Mons'' de Talon he took possession of said Fort and of all
the lands in the neighborhood as far and in as gi-eat a quantity as they may extend, and of the
other four forts which have been conquered from the Iroquois in the name of the King, and in
token thereof hath planted a Cross before the doors of said forts, and near this hath erected a
post and to these hath affixed tiie King's arms, and caused the cry of Vive Le Roy to be
repeated three times, of which and of all the above the said Sieur de Bois has required Acte of
the undersigned Royal Notary commanded in the said anuy for His Majesty's service. Done at
the aforesaid Fort of Andarague the day and year above written, in presence of Messire
Alexander de Chaumont, Knight Seigneur of said place. Aid de Camp of His Majesty's armies,
and of Hector d'Andigny, Chevalier de Grande Fontaine, Captain of a Company of Infantry in the
Carignan Regiment, of the Nobleman Antoine de Contrecour Cap" of a Company of Infiiutry
in said Regiment, of Francois Masse, Sieur de Wally, Jean du Gal Esq'' Sieur du Fresne Major
of Canada, Jean Louis Chevalier du Glas Lieut of a Company said Regim', Rene Louis
Chartier, Esq'', Sieur de Lobiniere Lieutenant of a Militia Company of Quebec, Dominique
le Feure Esq"" Sieur de Quesquelin Lieutenant in said Regiment, undersigned Witnesses willi
the said Seigneur du Bois and the Notary. Signed, Chaumont, le Chevalier de Grand Fontain,
de Contrecour, du Gal, Wally, Chev"" du Glas, du Guesclin, Rene Louis Chartier Lobiniere,
du Bois, and du Guet, Royal Notary.

igQ NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel Kieoll'i to Mr. Seerefary Mow ice.

[Xew-Tork r:ii.cre, I. Si. ]

Right Hon"" S"'

Being obliged to reinaine in the service of His Royal Iliglnies in America ; I must by this
particular addresse acknowledge in the first place his Ma''" gracious favour to me as a
Comissioner in approving the Endeavo''' which have by us all beene used in his Ma"" service,
wherein though the successe in the Massachusett Colony hath not answered Expectations, yet
his IMa"'<= is gratiously pleased to conferr 200" upon mee at a time when Money can bee least
spared ; the which I have received & most humbly bcgg the honour of jou to i)resent my
dutifuU acknowledgements to his Ma"" in whose service I shall never fayle or grow weary to the
last period of my life. I attend onely His Royall Highnesse his Comands before I returne into
England, finding that his jMa""^ is pleased to leave mee at my Liberty, which I doe most gladly
embrace with most humble thankes for the obliging expressions in yo" of 12"' of Aprill 16G6.
1 thinke it my duty to informe you that the copy of his Ma"" signification to the Massachusett
Colony was surreptitiously convey'd over to them by some unknowne hand, before the Originall
came to Boston, and formerly the very Originall of M'' Maverick's peticon to the King &
Councell (concerning the Massachussett Colony) was stolen out of the Lord Arlington's Oflice
in Whitehall by one Captaiue John vScott and delivered to Governo'' and Councell at Boston ;
This I affinne positively to bee true, though when I cpiestiou'd Scott upon the matter, bee said
a Clarke of INP Williamsons gaue it him. This same Scott by a pretended scale affixed to
a writing in which was the King's picture drawne with a pen or bla(^k lead, witli his Ma"" hand
Charles R. and sul)sign'd Henry Bennet, hath horribly abiis'd His 3Ia"" honor in these parts,
and fledd out of the Counlrey to Barbadoes, 3Iy Lord Willougliby sent me word that bee
would send the said Scott prisoner into England upon this account and therefore I thouglit fitt
to give you this information against him, that such fellowes may have some marke of Infamy
put upon them.

The Massachusett Colony persist or rather fly higher in contempt of His Ma"" Authority.
The Generall Court have rcsolu'd to send no man out of the Colony according to His Ma""
sumons, but their false Sophistry in construing His Ma"" letters to what sense they please
will easily appear to the world. Seuerall considerable men both of the Councell and Deputies
in the Generall Court haue enlred their Protest against tlie Resolution then taken. Most of the
considerable Merchants & men of estates in the countrey petitioned the generall Court to comply
wath His Ma"" commands, but they arc now to be question'd before another Court as seditious
Persons. I make this Narrative the shorter because ]\P Maverickc \\ill attend you with more
full Particulars in another shijjp, but whether with the ffleet which is now ready 1 caimot justly
say. Tiie eyes and observations of all the other Colonies are bent upon this strange Deportment
of the Massachusetts. His Rla"" is wise and may easily chastise their undutifulhiesse, not by
Ibrce, which might fright(>n the innocent as well as nocent, but by a Temporary Embargo upon
their Trade, till such and such persons are deliuerod into the hands of Justice : The numerous
w(!ll adected people in that and otlun- Colonies, would soone giue up the Ringleaders at His
Ma"" disposall. Neither would His INLa.""" loose any of his Customes by that Embargo, for if
sti-ict care were taken to send a convenient number of ships with goods suitable to this port,
all the Trade of Boston would bee brought hither, & from hence carryed into England : In

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 11. 137

whicb Case a ffregott of Countenance for Convoy or any emergent occasion would bee necessary,
if possibly to bee spared out of His Ma"" more immediate service ; Indeed iu the posture wee
are, every small Picaroon of the Enemies is master of all our Harbo" & Riuers from the Capes
of Virginia to Piscataway.

I humbly craue pardon for the Impertinencies of these many lines, and subscribe myselfe

Plight hon"' Sir

Yo"' most humble Servant

R. A'iCOLLS.

ffort James. Octob. y' 24"' 16G6

Endorsed ,, From Coll. IN'icholls to ]

M'' Sec''*' Morice. f

Governor Winihrop to Secretary Arlington.

[ Trade Papers, State Paper Office. XVII. 38. ]

Right Hono''able

]\Iay it please yo"' Lordship. His ^Nlajestyes royall letter of the 22"" Febru : 1666. subscribed
by yo'' L''ship was received in July last by the Councell of his Majestyes colony of Conecticott
and my selfe, to whom it was directed, together w"" his Majestyes declaration of warre against
the French, w"^"" according to his >[ajestyes order was forth*"' published at Hartford, New-
London, and other places of the Colony. I caled also the Generall Assembly of that Colony
together, who after much & serious consideracon of those and other comands in his Majestyes
letter about the reduceing to his Majesties obedience the plantacons of Canada, belonging to the
French, they thought it necessary that I should goe downe to Boston to consult w"' the Govern^
& Councell of his Majestj'es Collouy of Massachusett concerning that affaire ; whose helpe
could not be wanting in a businesse of that nature ; there being the greatest strength of this
country, & likelyest oportunity of shipping; as also to consult w"" S'' Thomas Temple Govern""
of his Majestyes Colony of Nova Scotia (resideing at p''sent at Boston) being directed thereto
also by the intimation in His Majestyes letter of his comands to him to correspond and assist
therein. I attended their directions therein with all possible expedition, though detained a
while from that journey by a matter of great concemement, w"'' was the diverting a great body
of Indians from joyneing w^"" the French of Canada, of w"^"" I had intelligence both from Capt
Baker, comaunder of Fort Albany, and from divers cheife Indians, that it was designed &
endeavoured by the French to draw those people into a confederacy w"' them, upon p'tence w'""
the said French declared to them, that their intent was to make warre against the Mohaques
and other nation of the heathen, who were alread}' in warre w"" those other Indians ; and these
seemed very joyful! of the opertunity of the French to joyne w'"" them ; who sent them word
they were upon their march w"" many hundred soldiers, & expected to meet them at a place
apointed, upon w'"" there were many hundred of the Indians gone forth already upon their
march towards y"". Thereupon I used all pos.sible endeavo'' to stay the further progress of that
designe, w^"" was accordingly in a short time effected, haveing spoken W" some of their cheife
Vol. III. 18

138 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Sachems (so llicy call their Prhices) they were so well j/swaded hy such reasons as were used to
them, that they p''sently sent to other their confederates, already upon their march, upon w* they
returned at that time. I sent also at the same time, some few horse, accompauyed w"" as many
irom the Massachusetts Colony, as well to discover the way toward Canada, whether passable for
lutrse, as also to gett good intelligence of the motion of the French Army. Of whom both by
intelligence from Collonell Richard Nicholls Govenio"' of New Yorke, & from the comaunder of
Albany, as also divers of the most credible Indians, it was reported they were upon their march
towards the parts about Albany p'tending against the INIohaques whose forts are about forty miles
above that place. These horse jjassed w"" much difficulty about one hundred and twenty miles
from Hartford, & returning, brought intelligence that the French were then newly upon a treaty
of Peace w"" those Indians their enemyes, and thereupon proceeded no further then the Lake
Hiracoies.' I came then imediately to Boston & had conference w"" S"' Thomas Temple, & the
Governo"' & Councell there, about those his Majestyes comaunds ; & ujion severall cousideracons,
as of the apparent necessity of good figotts or ships for that undertaking, W"" are here wanting,
the French haveing considerable forces there as we have intelligence & divers great ships, as also
considering the difficulty of passeing so long a march over-land, through such an uniuhabited
mountainous wilderaes, and the multitude of barbarous heathen that may be feared to be
treacherous & many of them imknowne to the English &.acquainted with the French ; as also it
being late in the summer before we had Flis ^lajestyes letters, and too late to make pi^parations
fitting for that designe ; it is the unanimous ap])rehensions of us all that at p'"sent there could be
no thing done by these Colonyes in reduceing those places at or about Canada : concerning \v'^
I humbly beseech yo'' Lordships favourable rep^seutations to the King of these considerations,
w"'the enclosed abbreviate thereof to liis most Excellent jNIajesty presented by

Yo'* most humble and
Boston in New England ] obedient servant

Octob. 2-5. 1666. j" (signed) Jonx Wixtiirop.

For the Right Hoiio''able the Lord

Arlington Secretary of State

to his Majesty.

Samuel Xadhorth to Mr. Secretary Morrice.

[ New England, I. 355. ]

From y^ Massachusets Colony in

New England Oct. 26. 1G()G.
Right Honourable

The good character from sundry hands received of you, doth embolden to give you the trouble

of these following lines, although not so meetly digested and disposed as becomes your dignity

& honour, yet hoping it may be a sei-vice to His Ma"^ I shall venture y*^ bearing of your just

censm-e for my folly & ignorance ; being here resident for some yeares past & diligently

LONDON DOCUMENTS : H. I.39

observing y" guise & temper of all sorts of people, I shall briclly give you this following account.
And whereas by a copy of the signilicatiou that caiue to your hands, of y^ Gov'" and Mag" oi' this
place { as I am enformed) referring to their actings with y^ Com" sent over to them by His Ma'^
y'' last year, they are charged with denying His Ma"" jmnsdiccon over them ; the account of
their actings with y* said Comiss being by y<" Gen" Court at larg(! sent over to Eng"* and (as it is
here said) lies on file w"" my Lord Chauncellor, I shall not uow insist ou y' particulars thereof:
yet this I assuredly kuow y' y'' Com" had more kindness and respect shewed them by y« people
and Gov"' of this place then from any other ; Nay, I may truly say than from all y"" rest of His
Ma"" Colouyes in New Engl'' This Colony being, for their entertaium' and raising of souldiers
for their assistance in reducing the Manhatoes, at a very considerable charge, and would Col.
Cartwright speak liis conscience, he very well knows it was the countenance this Colony gave
y" and y'' assistance of their messingers in treating with y= Dutch, y' did gi'eatly eleviat y'
undertaking. And as y' charge of denying y* King his jurisdiccou over them, I shall briefly
acquaint y'' Hono"" w"" y" more general] answer of y= people thereto, viz' they thus say, that they
left their native countrey and deare relacons there, not with any dislike of His Ma'^' then reigning
or of monarchical] power, for they esteem it y'' best of Gov'* and y*" lawes of y^ land they highly
honour and esteem ; but it was y' tliey might, witliout otit?nce to any, worship y'' Lord according
to his ow^a iustitucous, not being able to beare y^ yoke imposed upon them by the then
prevailing Hierarchy. For y"" orderly effecting whereof tliey obteined of y'= Kinges Ma"' a
royall Charter for this place. His Ma''" therein giving them liberty to transplant themselves
families and substance, & for their encouragem' in this their undertaking gave them full power
to elect all their own officers for rule and gov"' from y^ least to the gn^atest, to make their own
lawes, not repugnant to y" laws of England, and absolute power of ruling & governing all y"
people of this place, & all this with sundry other imunities & priviledges to them granted, is
confirmed to them & their lieires for ever, under y'= Broad Seale of England. In confidence
■whereof they hither came to a wast and howling wilderues, where they liave conflicted with
difficulties & sorrows of all sorts, they finding both y* French & Dutch nations possessed North
& South of t];eir patent bounds, & with whom they had some sculiiing at their first entrance
on tliis place, and y" wild natives, w^hom they found to be very numerous being for some time
priclvs on their sides and thornes in their eyes, and wlien weak made a pi'ay of their lives and
estates, sundry of them loosing their dear relacons, to this very day y' salvage tortures & cruetics
t.liat sundr}^ of them suffred, being cruelly murtliered, not being forgotten by the survivours.
The extremity of y' sumer heat & winter cold, & barrenues of the land discouraging some others,
causing tliem to repent tlieir designe and desert y* place, and those y' remained having b}' the
blessing of God ou their undefatigable labours, accompanied with many wants & streits, wrestled
through y' difficulties of tlieir first plantings, & here sown y'' seed of man & beast, so that now
they are grown up to a considerable body of people, and some small beginnings of a common
weale, and all this at their own proper charges, not one penny being disbursed out of His Ma"''
Excliequer. Now tluis they reason with themselves, viz' that wliiles they own His Maj* Charter
w"^ corapreliends y"^ condicons on w'^'' they transplanted themselves, they cannot justly be
charged with denying his jurisdiction over them, for thereb}' they acknowledge themselves to
be His Maj leige subj' their power of goverum' executive & legislative proceeding from & is
according to His Maj'^ appointment, and all Courts of Justice constituted by his authority &
.appointment, their wTitts and processe of law going forth in His Ma"'* name. Now while they
thus act, they apprehend they cannot justly be charged with denying his authority and

140 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

jurisdiccon over them. And in case they may not l)e confident in this their Royall Grant, so orderly
obtained, so lone; enjoyed and often confirmed, tliey appreliend tliey can liave no certainty of
their lives estates, houses and lands, and nnich Icsse of that libert}' which hitherto they have had,
in y"" tiee passage of y* gospell, far dearer to them then all their other comforts whither naturall or
civill ; they well knowing y' if y* wall of y'^ civill government he pulled down, y*^ wild boar will
soon destroy y*' Lords vineyard, & that it is impossil)le for y™ to keep y^ waters of y*' Sanctuary
when y' ^'euice-glasse which holds them is broken in pieces ; they not wanting many sectaries
& propliane persons that are sprung up among themselves, who do long for such an opportunity.
And whereas they are charged with denying His Maj. jurisdicon because they refused to submit
to y^ mandates of his Comissioners, requiring the Gen: Court of this Colony to answer at their
tribunall : to this they answer as fblloweth viz' That y' Comiss" by interpreting of & acting
upon colour of their comission contrary to y^ Charter granted bj' His Ma'"', as it was a gi'eat
abuse of His Ma''"'* power granted unto them, so also an injury to his subjects, thereby violating
their liberty, and was repugnant to y" instruccons given them by His ^Nla"'" to y"" due observance
whereof the power granted them by their Comission is expressly limited; and liad y' people
here submitted to them therein, they had destroj'ed themselves by tiieir voluntary acting to y'
utter mine of their goveriun' & liberties, so legally secured to them by Charter, confirmed by
His IMa''" letters and indemnifyed from y' power of the said Comissioners by His IMaj^ special!
instruccons given as aboves'' All w"''' will fully appeare, reference to the said comission & their
instruccons from His Maj : being had & perused. This people here planted having purchased
their liberty at so dear a rate, & being in so orderly a way remooved from their native country,
thereby loosing y^ benefit of those priviledges in y' Parliam' of Engl : and lawes under which
they and their f\xthers were born, all that they crave of His Maj : is, that they may stand
among the rest of His Maj : dominions and plantacons as the shrub among the Cedars, growing
upon their own root, & not be forced to he the slaves of rulers imposed upon them contrary to
the rule of their Charter. Honoured f^ir, I may not further enlarge, lest I should too much abuse
your patience ; but y' truth is, it is a great pitty that so liopefull a plantacon should be now lost
through y' malice of those whose designe is to beget a misunderstanding in His Maj. o( this
pi^ople. it is in his Maj. power easily to crush them by tlie very breath of his nostrils ; their
best weapons are prayers and teares, they are afraid to multi])ly their supplications to His Maj.
lest they should thereby further provoke ; their hope is in God, Who hath y'= hearts of Kings
in his hand. They have long been labouring how they might e.xpresse their duty of good
atll'ction & loyalty to His Maj''"^ at last have ordered a present of masts of large dimensions, such
as no other of His Ma"" dominions can produce, to be presented to His Ma"" They are not
williout hope of a favourable acceptance, which will be to their soules as a cloud of latter rain.
This I cleerly see, that y* body of y'' people have a higher esteem of their liberties, sacred and
civill, then of Ihcir li\es; they wi'll kuow tiie\- are such twins, as (iod & not nature have jovned
tog>'ther & are resolved to bury their estates &; liberties in v'' same gra\-e. Sliould y" J^ord be
pleased to move tiie heart of y'^' King (of his giacious dispositioa & clemency) (o smile upon them
& speak comforlal)l\- to them, as I have reason to be cdiifulent, His Maj. hath no subjects more
faitiifidl to liiiH iu all his dominions, so he will slill gain more \- more of their hearts &
alU'ctions towards hiui. And this poore Colony, if it may he accounted any small addicon to
his Maj. dominions, by y'" blessing of (iod upon their endeavoin-s, will be daily encreased, «& His
Ma"" interest here, by them maintainetl, to y' great advance of His Maj : customes which liave
already by that Colony been considerably augmented, the whole product of their manufacture

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 141

by land and trading by sea being so improved, as y' it is constantly returned to England.
Whereas on y^ other hand, should the malicious accusations of their adversaries prevaile with
His Maj : to impose hard measure upon them, as their dwellings are not desirable for luxurous
minds, so thej^ would not be long inhabited by them, y^ countrey being large and wide : And what
great pitty is it that a hopefull plantacon so suddenly raised without any expence to His Maj :
shoidd now be made a prey to forreign enemies, y" French waiting for such an opportunity, and
are much fleshed by their prevailing in Christopher's Island ; and y* French King (as is here
reported by some Rochellers) designing to secure these parts of America for himself, & for that
purpose in G5, as also this last summer, hath sent sundry ships with souldiers to a considerable
number, that he may thereby strengthen his interest here, who arriving in Canada, irom thence
y* last winter took y' advantage of y" frost and travailled cross y" Great Lake, quite cross this
Mattachusets patent as farre as Fort Albany formerly in y'' possession of y'' Dutch and now under
His Highnes y^ Duke of Yorke : the more parti(!ular account whereof I doubt not but His
Highness have received from Col. Nicolls. It is credibly reported by y^ Indians that about 700
French meu are building and fortifying on this side y* Lake above our Plantacons, & have
already built 2 forts, intending there to settle some plantacons of their owTie, their further designe
being to y*" people here unknown. The English of this Colony in their frontier towns more
remote from Boston have already been so alarmed by y^ reports of neighbouring Indians so as
that they were forced to stand upon their watch this last sumer, although disabled from giving
them any offence, by reason of their great distance from these parts, & y^ unpassableness through
y^ Countrey for any considerable force as also want of powder and ammunition, & how acceptable
will it be to French and Dutch to see this people frowned on by their King, your Hon"" may easily
judg ; The thoughts whereof I do undoubtedly believe would be an utter abhorrency to all,
good & bad. But what extremity may force them to, that God only knows, who is wonderful!
in counsel & mighty in working, whose thoughts are not as man's, & his counsel only shall
stand.

The present of masts above mentioned, conteining two great ones, now aboard Capt Pierce,
fitting to accommodate y= building another Prince Royall & a ship-load conteining 28 larg masts
in dimension from 26 to 3S inches, which they have now bargained for, that they may be
prepared for His Maj : service against next year ; may I tell you with w' difficulty this small
business of masts is by y^ poor planters here effected (for although some few merchants and
traders among them have acquired to themselves considerable estates) yet I can assure you for
the generality of y" people, 'tis all (if not more than all) that they can do, by hard labour &
great prudence in y^ improvem' of y^ sinner season to get bread & cloathing for y" necessary
supply & relief in y" winter season. True it is, every man generally hath a little house & small
parcell of laud with some few cattell, but all will not purchase ^'5. worth of clothing in England ;
and for sundry yeares past God hath much frowned on their crops, so that for attaining this small
present for His Ma"^ they are forced to take up money at interest, & for y^ payment thereof
particular persons stand obliged ; yet may it find acceptance with His Maj : they will be more
refreshed at y' newes thereof then at y^ reaping of a plentifuU harvest.

Hon'' Sir : my intent is only to enforme ; assuring you these foregoing lines are words of truth
& such as I shall not be aslianu;d of when I shall stand before y° judgment seat of Him who
judgeth not by y" seeing of y^ eye, (as to y^ verity thereof I mean.)

There came to y' hands of y" Gov. & Generall Court here assembled here this winter, a
writing being a copy of a Signification from His Maj : requiring y* Gov"" & some others to

142 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

appear in England. Eut y'^ very truth is, y'' Gov'' is an ancient gt^ntlenian neare SO yeares old & is
attended with many infirmities of age, often incapacitating him to y'' ])Lil)lirk service of y* country,
as stone-cholicks, deafnes &c so that to have exposed liim to sucli an undertaking had heen
extream cruelty. And for the further eleviating, please to be enfoniied that y*^ writing which
came to their hands, was neither origiuall Jior duplicate, hut only a copy without any seal or
notiiication that his Maj : had appointed y'^ exhibition thereof to y' Colon}'. Also the answer
of y' Generall Court to the mandates of the Comissioners by them denyed to be observed,
being fully & at large sent over last year & is on tile as they are enformed, & no particulars
nominated to w"^"* they are to answer. All these abovesaid considerations put together, y* Gen.
Court and people here do generally hope that His Maj : will favourably interpret them herein.

Honoured >Sir. How can yoiu* unfeined loyalty to His Ma'''= better appear, then by your lov^e
to the peace ot his subjects wherever scattered, although in the remotest of his dominions. I
need not tell your Hon"' y" meaning of these lines ; what you do tor y'' interest of God's people,
God himself will own, & .Jesus Christ his sonne will own you for it, when he shall appear in
in all his glory with his Saints and holy angels to judge y" world. If in your wisedoni you shall
pei'ceive it will do no good to this people, your declaring y' contents hereof, I do humbly, tor
Christ's sake, beg that favour of your Hon'' that it may not be improoved to any provocation ;
this being privately done by my own hand, without the privity of y*^ authority or advise of any
other person whatsoever, against whom, whiles I have been here resident, I see no just ground
of complaint.

The truth is, y" actings of the late Comissioners in this place, putting their spurrs too hard to
y' horse sides before they were got into y'^ sadle, & there being added thereto the rigorous
dealing of I/' Willoughby on Barbadoes Island, so uncivilly & inhumanely carrying it towards
sundry gentlemen of hi.s Councell & cruelly towards all sorts, have greatly alai'med the people
here, makeing y" name of a Coniissioner odious to them. And whereas the Comissioners have
informed His .Maj : that the obstruction given them here was by the Magistrates & leading men
oc not y^ people, Vour Hon'' may easily take a demonstration of y'' falsenes thereof. The Gov"'
being popular, & election of all piii)licke otticers, Governour & Magistrates being annually made
by the people, were they diversely minded I'rom their rulers, they have advantage enougli to
attain their desires ; and had the (Jovernour and all the leading men of the Colonj' adhei'ed to the
Comissioners mandates, the people were so resolved, that the}' would lor y'= generality of them
(some discontents, Quakers, and others, excepted) have utterly protested against their concession.

Honoured tS'' I take leave, and am
Your humble Servant
■ Samuel iS'aditorth.

To M'' Seci' Morice.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 143

Colonel N'icolhs to the Commi-s-sioner-s- of Albany.

[ New Tork Tapers, I. 81. ]

Messieurs

Yo'' of tlie 26"" October is receiud, and in answer tliereunto P' I doe confinne the persons
nominated for tliis Ensuing Yeare to be Comissaries,

Capt. Abraham Staets Aron Van Curler

Philip rieter Pchuyler Richard Reuzlaer

Theunis Comelis Spitsenbergh, and that Schout Swart continue in his Office till further
order, I suppose my letters to you may by chance be broken up, but not purposely by Capt.
Baker, howeuer since Complaint is made I shall prevent the like in the futm-e.

In my last letter I sent you full directions for y"' safety in case the french doe attempt to doe
you further praejudice. In regard tis uncertaine whether the River will be open before the Time
pra?fixt by the Court of x\ssizes for bringing in yom- Ground Breifes under a Penalty in y''
favour I shall suspend the panaalty exprest for the space of one moneth Extraordinary.

I could wish that all the land betweene the Fort and Towne lay in Common so that the
people who lost their houses may be recompenct upon the hill with accomodation. I know
that you onely are authorized to give billets for the quartering of Souldiers, and none exempted
where you shall place them, but if you Exempt by favour the chiefest men, the comon people will
cry out against you. I doubt the River will be shortly frozen and therefore doe earnestly require
and desire you to be carefuU of the Publick Peace and safety, and that amongst yourselues no
quarrells or disputes may arise, and to the end that English and Dutch may live as brothers
keep a strict hand upon the authors or reporters of strange newes which comonly tends to the
dividing of mens hearts, and if any Newes happens this winter be it good or bad you shall haue
the truth from mee. Thus wishing you health and peace I remaine

Y"' aff"^ freind

R. NiCOLLS.

Colonel Nlcolts to Mr. Henzelaer.

. . [ New-Tork Papers, I. 83. ]

Monsieur Renzelaer

By the date of y'' letter from Renzelaerwicke in Albany October the 2-5"' I perceiue that you
conclude the Towne of Albany to be part of Renzelaei'wick ; I giue you freindly aduice not to
grasp at too much authority, and you may probably obtaine the post more to y"" profitt. I haue
lately returnd answer to His R. H' his last letters, and doubt not of his finall determination of
all matters relating to this Jurisdiction in May next ; if you imagine there is pleasure in titles
of Govemient I wish that I could serue your appetite, for I haue found onely trouble. You
seeme to plead for a succession to y"" brother Baptista as of right belonging to you, I will make
answer in a Latine verse which in some sort you may apply

Filius ante dioni Patrios inquirit in anuo3.

144 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Let tliere be no Controuersies of this nature betweene you and mee who will in all
reasonable things serve you. Sett y'' hearth therefore at rest to bee contented with the profitt
not the government of a Colony, till we heare from His Royall Highness. In my letter to the
Comissaries you will fnid Theuuis Coruelis Spitseiibergli conhnned. INIy service to y'' wife, y^
Brother and Mons'' Curler

1 am. Y' aff"" freind

R. NiCOLLS.

■,\- 9 *"" 1666.

Colonel NicoVs: to the Commismrie'S at Albany.

[New England, I. 800. ]

Messieurs

Y" of -x%- of 9^" as also of the it"" of IQ^" with the inclosed propositions from & answers to
the Maquaes and y'' resolutions, are all well received ; wherein I find good cause to retume yow
thankes for y'' care in the preservation as well of His Ma"" as of y"' owne true interest in these
times of difficulty with the ambitious French. Neither have I been unmindfull to prtepare the
English in the north to y"' succour, iu case the French should disturbe y"^ peace. All the
souldiers at the Sopes shall be ready upon an houres warning, & further I have wrote to the
tSchout and Hchepens there, to be ready for y"' assistance with as many men as they can possibly
spare, of the Burgers, for I know well how impossible it is to send any from hence in the winter.
I may well hope that the French ai-e not onely weaiy of their two fruitlesse voyages, but tliat
most of their souldiers, commanded away with the Viceroy into the West Indies, and now that
the warr between Spaine and France is renewd in probability the French, will find worke enough
at home. These last are but speculations and feed my hopes that yow may live in peace
hereafter, though y"' circumspection ought not to be the lesse. I may not forgett to tell you with
liow much satisfaction to mee all the letters from Albany this winter, are received, in regard no
complaints are made one of another, but a generall complyance to peace and frieudshipp w'^'' is
very agreeable to my disposition. Therefore I should returne yow a complement, but I chuse
rather to expect a time wherein I may more emphatically doe yow a service,^ unto w'''' I am
most heartily inclin'd being,

Y^ afi'"- freind

R. N.
7 of Jan 1666.

Fort James.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 145

Colonel NicoUs to Ifr. Arendt Van Cnrler.

Yo" of the -1%,"" of 9''^'' and of the ii"" lO""^"" with the account of the affaires under y care are
kindly received, and will be soe acknowledged when opportunity presents.

I perceive my former instructions are observed, and I hope by that unanimous resolution
taken the French will be discouraged from attempting to disturbe yow, and the Maquaes, for
ever obliged by the kindness and protection show'd to them in their necessity.

I would gladly heare of the demolishing of that fort mentioned in yo", and that the Paper
could be found. Yow have not forgott y"' promise to perfect the Cart of the Lake, with the
French forts, & how it borders upon the Maquais River. S'' I am so abundantly satysfied
with y' care and conduct in these troubles, that I shall now only desire yow to continue in
well doing, wherby you have and will extremely oblige

Y"' very aff'" freind
T^ January 1666 ) . R. :\.

Fort James. | . • ,

Colonel Kicolls to Mr. Gerard Strarf, Sherijf of Albany.

Yom-s of the it"" 10''" is received ; the messenger made no gi-eat haste, and I hope you will
have no extraordinary occasion to send another before the River opens. I am very glad to
heare that all affaires are carried with so much discretion, that not one complaint is made ;
which is Wellcome tydinges to mee, and shews that every man walkes in his owne station. It
remaines that I retume y^selfe and all the officers particular thankes for the care taken in y"'
defence against any nation that may disturbe yow assuring yow that on my part nothing shall
be wanting to praeserve yow all in peace or promote y'' wellfare.

, I am

Y"- aff"' freind

R. N.

( Endorsed )

AF Ryvan. Be pleased to translate these 3 letters into Dutch, as soone as
yow cann conveniently.
The 1*' to the Comissaries at Albany.
The 2d to xAP Curler
The S-" to Schout Swart

\' art'"^ freind
Jan : the 5' \ , IL Nicoll.

Fort James, j

Vol. III. ly

146 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel JSficolls to the Captain and CommUsarie-s at Albany.

[Xcw-York r.-ii>CT3, I. 49.]

Messieurs

]\ry iinswcr to y" of the ^f lOber was gone hence before y" of tlie 29"" of 10'"^'' arriued. In
which you referrd mee to the i-eLation of Smits Jan concerning the french, but it seemes he was
weary of the Voyage and came no furtlier than the Sopes, but sent the letters by another Indian
the bearer of these so that I doe very much want his information w' termes the french doe })ropose
to the IMaquaes or what probabihty of bringing the Treaty to a Peace. Howeuer to tlie tliree
points in y'' letter relating to ray advice and direction I shall bi'iefly say. 1" That you will doe very
well to give the Maquaes councell that one Article of the peace may oblige the french to quittand
demolish all their new advanct forts upon the Lake, that the Maquaes may not Hue in jelousy
of the french that hunting may not bee interrupted or any numbers of arm'd men under any
pretence come into the Plantations of either side without Notice first given. To the 2"'' I cannot
imagine that the Maquaes will ensist upon the proposall of selling ueare Albany if this Treaty
of peace goes forwards, for their own comitry is much more comodious for them and lesse
pra'judiciall to you, j'ou know liow to sweeten any deuiall you make them with such reasons as
you thiuke best; 'I'o tlie S"* point It is fitt that mine and y'' former letters to the Vice Koy
bee sent by Smits Jan, wherein as you know the Vice Roy will read that you will not ingage
further in the Treaty but stand iiulifferent. Consider well the advantage or disadvantage which
may befall y^ trade if you lay not hold of this Opportunity to give the Maquaes Councell to make
an honorable peace for themselves in the words which 3''ou shall direct them, whereby you may
for the future have the benefitt of this Treaty, and not openly appeare to be concernd for the
present in it. If such proposalls bee refused by the French they will soone discover the truth
of their designes to ingross the whole of the beauer-Trade for they see plainly their attempts upon
the Maquaes will fade whenever the IMaquaes can luiue an houres warning of their coming, so
that the advancing of so nuich forts furnisht with considerable numbers of Souldiers sliewes
manifestly that when their designe is ripe euery place or nation is the object of their Ambition*
as [much as the Macjuaes are now of their Revenge. Therefore, though the Treaty should
never come to effect, yet is wisdome to keep it on foote and to oblige Smits Jan to giue you
certain notice of whatever jn'oposalls are made by the french which may shorten y"" Interest, or
what other designes the french may haue in hande. I mention Smits Jan because he is reported
to loue both English and Dutch ; I see no present reason to recall my former directions, but
conclude witli thankes to you all for your cave and circumspection in the whole, and particularly
for y'' resolutions of defending his Ma""' interest and your owne against the Comon enemy.
You shall neither want any jiossible assistaiice nor my pravers for y'' Peace & prosperity. I am

l'"" very afi"'" freind.

R. N.

When vou liane any truth of the frenches mairh towards you send speedy notice to Capt.
Pinchen

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. I47

Colonel Nicolls to Mr. AreiuU Van Curler.

[Xcw-Tork Papers, I. 40. ]

Mons. Curler

Y" of the Sgt^ 10''" is receiud but not bj^ the hand of Smits Jan who staid in Esopus so that
I am disappointed of all the intelligence he might have giuen mee ; bee pleased when you see
Smits Jan to take in writing from his mouth whateuer he can inform you worth the WTitin?,
and send it mee by the next opportunity. By circumstances in letters and the Passeport to the
Indians I make my guessing that the french will not trouble y'' Tarts this winter. I haue wrot
at large to the Coniissaries therefore shall not say more to you not doubting of the continuance of
your care and paines in this publike concerne. Smits Jan must carry mine and the Comissaries
former letters to the Vice Roy at Canada. I haue inclosed sent you all the french letters back
agahi, for my part I understand well Banchot's meaning, w<^'' is to lett you know how little good
will Mons'' deirracy hath for the Dutch and when time serves he will make use of those prEctences
to colour his ambition of lugi-ossing the Beaver trade by destroying and interrupting ours at
Albany. In returne of those novelles w"^ he sent you pray send him these two Copies one
relates to the fight in June the other relates to the Enterprise of Schelling Island, after the defeat
given the Dutch Fleet upon the :25"' of August ; and let Mons. Banchot hear we haue later
intelligence than himselfe, and probably he knows not that the Warr is lately begunn between
France & Spaine. I hope the publike and V private afiiiires will permitt vou in the Spring to
visitt these Parts which you have not done since I came into the Country.,

Mons"' Le Kolle and Mons"" de Ville haue v.rote to Mons'' fountaine to returne to Canada with
Smits Jan as also that the trench would not loose this Opportunity : ISIons'' tbuntaine hath
kept his Christmas with Cap' Carterett in New Jersey and cannot stir thence this moneth but if
he could 'tis impossible for him to march from hence to Canada through the snow a foot. All
the french souldiers except one thats lame and in service with a french man upon Staten Island
are gone to Boston to seeke a passage thence, by the helpe of y" Alinconguins. I haue no more
at present but to assure you that I am

Y"' very aff"' freind to serue you

R. N.
11"' of Jan 1666 ) •

fort James j

148 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel JVicolh' to Captain John. Balcer.

[ New- York Papers, I. 50. ]

Capt Baker.

Y" of the 20"" of 10''*'' which should haue come hy Siints Jau is brought by auother Indian
who calls himselfe INr Thomas. So that I want all the iufomation which hee could giue mee.
In another of this date to the Cap' & Comissaries at Alhany I have sent the best advice and
direction w"^ my knowledge of the present affaires could collect out of the seuerall letters ; but
I must referr the management thereof for the best to the discretion of y'' selfe & Comissaries
whose former letter with mine to the Viceroy of Canada must he sent by Smits Jan. The relation
you made mee is sent to APWinthrop and Capt. Pinchen. I collect from the letters and from
the Viceroy his passeport to the Indians, that we are not much to feare their attempts this winter
yet such collections may faile and not much to be relyed upon, tor the frcnch forts are too nearc
neighbours and can poure forth men betbre we are aware, if we be not alwaies watchfull. I
doe not see cause to change my former directions but because the Maquaes desire my advice
it is that they make a good peace or none with the french, such as may bring in beaver to
Albany, and leave them without feare or Jealousy of the French, one point will be necessary
that the Maquaes should declare to the French that the King of England is the Great King of
all their Country and parts adjacent, and unto him they are subordinate, living in peace and
trading with all his subjects, and now they are willing to make peace with the trench and will
resolue to keep it if the French will demolish their forts and bring no more troojjcs of Souldiers
into the King of England's country or their Plantation.

To this purpose you may take seuerall opportunities of instructing not onely Smitts Jan but
the Maquaes Sagamores, shewing them that it is their Interest to make an honoui'able mention
of the King of England, what numbers of English there are round about and all the Country over,
how considerable a force from all the adiacent colonies are come to Albany in 3 or 4 daies, and
with what freindship the English, Dutch and Maquaes line together in all points except warr
with Christians. Such language or the like you may make use of to the Maquaes, Sachems and
Smits Jan, some Dutch here are persuaded that Smits Jan hath receiued so much kindness from
the French that hee is turned French man, but hee hath drawne so much blood from the French
that he cannot be so foolish as to thinke that they haue good intentions for him onely to serue
their present Ends'.

Wee have no late newes from any Parts being shut up with a hard winter. I had almost
forgot a short passage in a French letter to Mons'' La fountaine I'rom a freind of his at (Quebec
where speaking how kind the Vice Roy is to him, sales that the Viceroy intended to have
releiued him at any hazard, upon which subject he would have write more if he thought the
letter should passe directly to Mons' fountaine's hand, further that they had found an easy and
Admirable meanes to transport their men upon all occasions, therefore it is necessary to inquire
of Smits Jan what new passage or Inventions they haue found. This is all at present, from

V atf'» freind

[(";ilil. r.AKKR WiiH lippointcil "Cliii.f Mililarv Oflicer at Alhany, " To Sept., 1006. Hib CommiBsion anil Iii6ti'ueti<ins are in
Book of I'aUnU, Sooretarv'H Office, Albany, I. 131, WVi. — Eu.]

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 149

Pi'ivati) InsfrKctlon-s to the Coi/unumoiiers to Emjyu-s.

[riunUition General Papers, 111. 25<'. J

Private Instructions to ftP Needhani, M"' De la Vail «& M'' Van Ruyven.

1 . You will doe well in the first place before you arriue at the f^opes to looke upon the papers
of Complaints and make choice out of them what are most Notorious, waving the Rest to avoid
expence of time and trouble.

2. When you come to the Sopes cause the Connnission to be read in the hearing of all the
people, a file of souldiers attending upon you, and I think you will doe best at that time
onely to publish what complaint you will first heare and in my opinion W"' ffisher is to be first
tryed because a man is kill'd in w* case you will doe well to heare patiently the witnesses and
the evidences alsoe w"^ ffisher can produce, particularly whether there was malice or former
grudges, if not then what provocation ; whether kniues were drawne against him or to w' Enci
& purpose the Light was put out when the quarrel began, if no other notorious circumstances
appeare in full euidence against ffisher than is already alleadged, considering the Testimonies
of the Doctor and Chirurgeons I conceiue you will conclude him guilty of manslaughter and
yow will doe well to make people know that the laws of England directs yow so, and the like
case hath been already try'd at the Assizes, if it appeare that the Dutchman rann upon the
sword to assault ffisher I conceiue it may have hapned in his o\\me defence.

3. When yow examine the rising in Armes begin with the first occasion and yow will find that
Broadhead did onely offer to fling a dish at the brewer but did not, that he ofFer'd to drawe his
sword but neither did nor could, yow will find also that the Brewer presently ran in upon him,
made the first assault, gave the first blow, after w"^"" many abuses follow'd, upon w"^"" beginning
of the quarrell yow are to declare that the King's officer is not of so meaue a quality to be
struck by a Burger, and further enlarge y"' discom-se as yow shall find fitt.

Having proceeded thus farre yow are to call the cheife and others the most violent Actors and
promoters of the Ryott before yow, in the first place open the case of rising in armes against an
Establisht Garrison of his Ma"^' which unlawfuU Assembly of anned Men is by the lawes of
England no lesse than Treason, you are to admitt of no reasonings or prfetences for their soe
doing, but then yow are to tell them that 1 did once forgiue some of the Inhabitants the same
crime, and their names are upon Record, the Original is in the towne booke. A copy, though
tome, yow carry with yow, by which yow will doe well to governe Y"" selues & call these double
offenders to an account for all the rest, and according to the Euidence brought in against
them who appeared the most Notorious reducing the number to a few not exceeding sixe, yow
may conclude them by sentence in writing to be guilty of a treasonable and malitious Ryott,
that yow remitt the finall sentence of Punishment to mee, whereupon yow are to send them /

wath a guard of Musquetiers to the Redout Prisoners and bringe them in the sloope viith yow.

4"" You will find Broadhead hath broken my Instructions several! times, but to ease y'' selves
of more clamours and complaints of the same nature to receiue them but to proceed onely
against him, yow will doe well to suspend him from his Employment for that only fault of ,
sending and keeper the Brewer in prison after the Schout and Commissaries sent to Broadhead
to release him, whioh being done you will more easily answer the number of complaints that
Broadhead hath part of his punishment already the post [rest ?] will be committed to mee.

j^50 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

G"" M'' Needhara may heste speak whateuer deseriies to be sliarply resented against the
Souldieis, and M' Dela Vail and Van Ruyvens to the Burgers.

T^ Albert Heymans and Anthony D. Elba liaue spoken most malitions words, and I looke
upon them as great incendiaries and disaffected persons, if their wordes be proued they shall not
be suir'er'd to line in this Gouernment, if they haue been actors in this late Ryott, Pitch upon
them two for Ringleaders and giue order to inuentory and secure their Estates by the Schout
and Comissaries.

The Lieutenant headed the Men, he cannot be excused.

8"" When j^ou have taken a view of the Instructions whicli T formerly gaue to Broauhead as
also to the Schout and Comissaries yow will easily discern what bounds and limitts each of them
had allow'd. And if yow find just cause to adde or alter any part of them I leaue it to y
discretion, because the alteration of mens humours may require some alterations of Instructions
whereunto for the future they must all conforme.

g'"" As little as may be engage Y'' seines in slight matters which are numerous and of little
^veight, discourage not the souldiers too muche in publicke least the Boores insult ouer them,
appear favourable to the most of the Boores but seuere against the principall Incendiaries, and
in generall yow may tell them freely that I will proceed against euery man that sliall lift amies
against his IVIa''" Garrison as rebellious subjects and comon enemies.

10. In regard yow are not ty'd to carry on a Comission by Jury I tliinke that yow will avoid
much trouble by admitting very few into the room where you shall sitt, and to call in or
discharge witnesses as yow find cause, Two witnesses to any one matter are as good as twenty.

11"" It being impossible for me to direct and advize j^ow in many things w'''' may be
represented to Y"' Judgements upon the place be pleased to make use of such latitudes in Y'
resolutions as in discretion and good conscience yow doe find necessary for the punishment of
faults or crimes committed, with such Expedients for the future as may pra?serue peace and good
government in the Place.

IS"" Yow are to gouerne y selves in the management of this Comission by the Main Vote,
whereunto the third dissenting is to acquiesce.

[Tlie I'iots between tlio Military and tlie Iiiliabitaiits at Esopus, above referred to, terminated in the deatli of Hendrick
CoRXELissEN, a Burgor, at tlie hands of a Soldier named William Fisher. The Commission of Messrs. Needham, Delaval, ete.,
is dated 16th April, 1C67, and U in Book of Pa/ents. I. 145. The evidence and result will be found in iWw-l'orA- fo/owia/
Manuncripts, XXII. 20. — En.]

Governor Tracy to the Onntmi'i'ariei' of Albany.

[New- York P-ipers, I. 41.] '

Gentlemen

I haue giuen so full an answer to yo"' Gouerno'' Gen" as to eury article mentioned in the letter
hee was pleased to write mee, as also to yours, that it will not bee necessary to make repetition
thereof.

I shall onely tell you that I giue you tluuikes for the ciuill Respect you seeme to beare mee
which I shall endeauour to acknowledge as occasion shall present, as farr as the King's senaice

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 151

will pennitt mee : I should bee sorry that any such thoughts should remaine in you that I could
beleeve you had either directly or indirectly a hand in the death of those gentlemen that were
murdred by the Rlaques. This Declaracon together with what I write to your Gouernour
Gen" upon that subject ought absolutely to ease your ]\Iinde of the trouble you had in that
Regard ; I must likewise confesse that the freuch who haue lined in your pails, haue been
obliged to the Dutch for having withdrawiie many of them out of Indyans hands after they
were taken, But they owe us alsoe that just acknowledgement (which is very well knowne)
That by our Authority wee haue hindred y* Algonquins from making warre i;pon them.

Since Your Governo"' Gen" doth order you not to interpose in Our Aftayres with the Maquaes,
you'l doe prudently to obey him with Respect ; I could also haue desired that you had nouer
made any proposition to us on that subject, you had then beene less sensible of the displeasure I
receiued by the death of those gentlemen : The Dutch Bastard hath no Commission fm-ther
from mee, than to deliuer these to your hands ; I am, Gentlemen,

Your thrice Affectionate Sen-ant

Tracy.
Quebec the 30"" Aprill ]
1G67. j

Governor Tracy to 2fr. Arendt Van Curler.

[TRANSLATED FEOM THE FRENCH.]
[ Neiv-Tork Papers, I. 43. ]

Quebec, 30'" April 1667.
Sir,

I received your letter of the 14th Feb' with those of your Governor General and Commissaries
and send you the answers I make them. I should be very glad to have the opportunity
properly to entertain those whom you recommend to me. The Dutch Bastard will be able to
assure }'ou of this tinith.

Were the ships we shortly expect arrived, I should send you whatever news we might have
from Europe. The newspapers you received and which assured us of the great Victory the
Dutch gained over the English, are confirmed. It was from Amsterdam and the letter from
Flemingue.' You know that in those quarters they do not puff up victories of smoke or wind.
The first news you receive, will confirm this truth.

I have granted Conditions so reasonable to the Mohawks and to all their tribes that I doubt
not they will accept peace. I have not given them time at the farthest than till the twenty-fifth
or 26'" June, new stile, to bring me their final resolution. The Dutch bastard is to return. I
shall always treat him favorably out of consideration for you. I can even assure you that I
entertain friendship for him. I had him accompanied by Frenchmen of consideration to the
head of Lake Champlain. He also has my passport for the whole of the month of June ne.\t,
which will serve him and those he will bring with him to go and return.

•

FlcBsingtief i. e. Flushing. — Ed.

152 • NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

I am obliged to Your Governo"' General and to you for the kindness j^ou had for M'' des
Fontaines.

If you feel inclined to come hither this summer, as you gave me to expect, you shall he most
welcome, and entertained with all my power, having great esteem for you, though I am not
acquainted with your person. Believe this truth and that I am Sir, Your affectionate & assured

Sen'ant

Tracy.

The Dutch bastard told me he made some presents which were not responded to. As I
cannot tell if it be true or not, as I did not enquire of Father Chamonot who is at Quebec, you
can tell the Mohawks tliat they will be responded to on their retum, and that they shall receive
all sorts of satisfaction on this head.

Tracy.
Montreal 12 IVIay 1()6~.

Governor Tracy to Colonel jVicollf.

[ Xeiv-York Papen, I. &). ]

Sir

In answer to Vo'' letter of the 31"' of August 1 shall tell you that .\[on.s'' de CoiuTelle, Governo''
Generall of this Countrej' signifying to mee that bee had a desire to make inroad upon the
Maquaes, to ])ut a stopp to their barbarous Insolencies ; I gave my consent to further the design,
That hee might take with him so many Officers and Souldiers as bee thought fitt, either of his
Ma"" Companyes, or those of y^ Countrey. Whereiqion hee advanced within ffifteene or twenty
leagues of the Milages of y* Annies.* But fortunately for them his Guides conducting liim a
wrong way. Hee did not meete with them, till bet; came neare the Village which you name in
yo' Letter, Neither had hee known there was any of them there, untill hee bad surpriz'd all
the Indyans that were in two small Hutts at some distance from that place. This truth is
sufficiently convincing, to justify INfons'' de Courcelle. that hee bad no intention to infringe the
Peace that was then betweene us, for that be thought bimselfe in the Maques land. The
Moderacou which be used in the said butts (although the Persons under his command were
driven to the uttermost extremity, for want of Provisions) bath sufliciently manifested the
consideracon wee have alwayes bad for our allyes (for untill then wee bad no Intelligence, that
New Holland was under any other Dominion then that of the States of the United Belgick
I'rovinces) and undt5rstauding that hee was upon the Lands belonging to the Dutch, bee tooke
great care to hinder bis Companyes from' falling into the ^'illage, liy which meancs alone the
jNIaquaes that were there saved themselves.

Hee also had soe-much care and Authority as to hinder the souldiers from killing the Poultry,
and taking away Provisions that were in the said hutts, to satisfy their hunger. Thus farr, I
ought to vindicate the truth upon this sidycct.

The flrencii Natign is too much inclined to acknowledge (Courtesies, not to Confesse tha' the
' •

' The French nnmc for the Mohawks ; ciiUod by the Dutch, Mnqunas. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 153

Dutcli have had very imich cliarity for thi> flVencli, who liiive beene Prisoners with the iMaques,
and that they have redeemed divers, who liad been burn't w"'out their succour ; They ought also
to bee assur'd of our gratitude towards them, and to any others who shall exercise such Christian
Deedes, as they have done.

I am also persuaded that they had a sincere intention for the Conclusion of a fume peace
between us and the Mnques, They ought in like manner to beleive, that wee have alwayes
expressly forbid y^ Algongins to make warr upon or kill them.

Since the Dutch Gent, did send you y'' Lres which I w-ritt nnto tliem, you have kno\\ne the
candour of my thoughts, and the confidence which I had in their ffriendship, by that of the 14"'
July 1666 as also by the Request I made to the Reverend ffather Bechefer (who is a person
of great meritt) accorapanyed with three considerable persons, to transport himself upon the
place, to conclude a peace, thereby to ease them of the trouble of coming to Quebec.

Its true the Displeasure I received by the death of some Gentmen, who went a fowling upon
confidence of that Article w'^'' is in the same letter those Gent'men sent mee, the second time,
dated the SG"" March 1G()6 the which I had publish't in our Garrisons [wee have acquainted the
Maques, that they are to forbeare all Acts of Hostillity, during the time that the Messenger shall
bee absent which they have promis'd to observe] did give mee a justgriefe, and a great deale of
discontent. It being evident that tliose Gent'men, had not put themselves upon that hazard,
without that assurance : w'^''' would have served amongst Europeans as well as the most
authenticke Passeport that could bee had, the winch also wee had caus'd the Algonquins to
observe.

Such an unexpected misfortune oblig'd mee to chang the designe I had of adventuring the
person of the reverend ftather Bechefer, and the rest that accompanyed him. And I resolu'd to
send onely tlie Sieur Cousture (who had been a Prisoner among the Maques) w"' a Letter to the
Dutch Gent, of the 22"' of July 1G06. The said Cousture having no other employ then what
was in his Instruction, which hath or might have beene scene since I gave him leave to shew it.

I had never the thought of accusing those Dutch Gent'men either directly or indirectly, nor
iinj^ other person, of holding intelligence with the Maques in so foule an action as was committed
by them ; But writt onely to oblige tliem, and those other Gent'men who serve under yo""
command at Albany, (for we were then in peace,) to Councell the Maques, as Neighbours to
deliver up into our power, the Actors of that murder, w'^'" was a satisfaction that with reason I
might promise myselfe in that occasion.

My Lre of the 22"" July to those Gent'men at Albany, might have inform'd you what tlie S""
Cousture was ; ffor it had not beene prudent after the death of tliose Gent'men, to hazard a
person of quality. And I am very sorry that you tooke the paines to leave the place of
yo"' usuall residence, to make a Voyage to Albany, to have discourse with an ordinary messenger
who had nothing of Trust committed to him.

The intention you signify to have of Embracing allwayes the Interest of Europe, against the
barbarous Indyans of America, is very commendable and befitting a person of your Quality,
and a good Christian : That Passion which you likewise expresse, for the interest of His INIa'^'
of Great Brittaine, is to bee esteemed, and there is no man of reason, who dotii not approve Yo'
Judgm' therein, and that hath not the like for his Prince.

I returne you thankes in particular for those obliging tennes you are pleas'd to use on my
behalfe, as also for the assurances you give mee of a desire to hold a mutual! Correspondence
of civility and respect with mee to y= end before proposed : If I was particularly knowne to
Vol. III. 20

154 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

you, I might feare you would alter your opinion of nice, for that Reputacon doth ver}' often
give us advantages, which wee do not deserve.

I had the hono'' to serve the King in Germany, in the most considerable commands of his
Army, at the time when my son (that was hee and not mee) was knowne unto you, in those
which served in fflanders, where hee commanded His Ma"" Cavalry of Strangers : Hee had a
very particular respect for the person, and for the great meritt of his Royall Highnesse the
Duke of Yorke, who seemed to be well pleased with his respectfull carriage towards him : You
have no reason to e.xpect lesse services from mee, that you might have received from my son,
upon all occasions where those of the King will permitt mee to render them.

It cannot bee but you must have heard from divers of your nation that have beene in the
Islands of America, how I have done them courtesyes with passion, and with as much civility
as may bee ; I have cause enough to complaine that the same hath not been practised towards
mee ; ifor that a vessell which went out of Boston, tooke in the Gulfe of St. Lawrence, towards
the latter end of June or the beginning of July 166-5, (neare upon five raoneths before the
declaracon of the warre) a barque of betweene 25 and 30 tvmne, W^"" belonged to mee, being
laden with a good quantity of Strong Waters, and other refreshments which come from France :
But as I know no other Interest than that of the Service of his Ma'^ who bestowes many benefitts
upon mee, I shall Easily forgett that Losse, 'till the conclusion of a Peace ; you ma)' also beleive
that I am w"" a great deale of esteeme,

S"' Your thrice affectionate

and humble Serv'
Quebec ) Tracy.

Apr. 30"' 1667

Governor Wi/ithro^) to Secretary Arlington. '

t Trade Papers, State Paper OlBce. XVH. 53. ]

Right Honorable

May it please your Lordship. According to his Ma'-"''' commaunds in his letter of the 22 of
February 1665. I had consultacon with the Governor & Councell of his Ma"" Colony of
Massachusets & S' Thomas Temple of w"^'" I gave an account by Capt. Christopher Clarke,
whose shipp sayled hence before winter & I he.are as safely arrived in England, for as I have not
to doubt but that those letters ar come to your Lordships hands I have allso now received his
Ma"" gratious letter of the 2S"' of August last directed to the Gov"' & Councell of his Ma""
Colony of Conecticott, as allso your Lordships letter of the same date where with the favour of
a double of his Ma"" former letter before mentioned, & the true & perfect narrative of the
greate & signall successe of a part of his Ma"" fleeto. The ship by which these were sent did
not arrive at Boston (the port towne of Massachusets) till March last & thence were sent by the
Gov"' to my selfe with all possible expedition. Thereupon I did repayre to Boston with
M'' Willis one of the Councell of the Colony of Connecticott, by the directions of that Councell,
& have had conference with the Gov'' & Councell of the Colony of INIassachusets, according to
his Ma"" commands in that letter. Wee should all be unanimously willing to relieve our deare

LONDON DOCUMENTS ; II. 155

countrjTnan of those Careebee Islands if wee had ability and meanes to doe it, beeing very
sencible (to our greate sorrow) of there suffrings & danger & of the augmentation of hazard to
these his Ma"''' Colonyes if those our common enemyes should further p''vayle there. But wee
see a greate necessity of all our endeavours, & the best strength wee cann make here to be ready
for the security of these his Ma"" Colonyes. For, besydes what enemies from remoter parts may
intend agaynst us, wee are surrounded by greate nations of the heathen, in respect of whome
we must alwayes be uppon o"' guard, though they be not in open hostillity agaynst us, & the
French wee heare are in amies uppon the Lakes behind us. Wee are informed by letters from
Collonell Richard Nicholls Gov"' of New Yorke that the French have a considerable number of
veterane souldiers at Canada, that they have built forts all along the Lake for garrisons and
magazeens to facilitate there attempts, that they have by good. computation 2-500 men, and
credible Indians report that they had seene 3000 souldiers in Quebeck & other garrisons. He
writes allso that there were in the winter 5 French & 2 Dutch ships of force, w*^*" he supposed
would be imployed in the Spring, at sea, to infest the Coasts of the English plantations, &
mentions these as matters worthy consideration to all the Colonies, that they may not hold
themselves secure. Wee know the pretence of those French forces uppon the lake behind us, is
against a nation of the Indians called tiie Mohaukes, with whome they have warr ; but wee have
good cause to be jealous of there greater designes, & wee may well suspect the attempts of the
French & Dutch allso, by sea ; and the danger of the Plantations is the greater in respect of the
multitude of the Indians who are enemies, and have had warr many yeares with the same
Indians who ar enemies to the French, & uppon that account wee may doubt they may
confaederate with the French, not only agaynst those other heathen, but agaynst the English
allso ; w'"" wee labor to prevent with all possible endeavors. But tliere are multitudes not
knowne to us, & those w"" whome wee are acquaynted many of them wee cannot soe far trust
them as to be secure, otherwise then by due watchfuUnes & rediness, withall wee have, to resist
& defend ourselves agaynst there attempts, if they should rise agayne in hostility agaynst the
English, as formerly some of them have done. But if wee had any forces to spare from such
our necessary defence, yet wee know not of shipping to be had for there safe transportation.
There hath beene allso for severall yeares, & especially this last yeare, such a generall blast
uppon the come besydes greate destruction by wormes in many places whiles it was greene, y'
it hath caused very greate scarcity, & come is not only the provision for subsistence, but that
w'^'' is in use amongst us for paym" in steed of mony. I wish allso that wee could say tliat wee
had ammunition to spare, or knew how to supply our selves with more. I beseech yo'
Lordships favour to represent to his Ma'^ the condition of these his plantations in reference to
what shall appeare uppon the reasons before mentioned, of the incapacity of his people heere to
send forces to those Careebee Islands. His Ma''" speciall grace to his poore subjects in this
remote world in giving them such timely notice of there danger by there enemies, & commands
of defending themselves agaynst there assaults, is humbly acknowledged by them, & doe wish
all abounding prosperity to his most Excellent Ma'J' w'^'' is there continuall Sc unanimous
supplication to Heaven. I have only (my Lord) to add the humble acknowledgem' of the favour

156 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

of your Lordships letter to the Councell of Coiinecticott Colony, & to p''sent most humble duty
to your Lordship from them and from

Right Honorable

Your Lordships most humble

. & dutyful servant
Boston in New England ] (signed) John Winthrop.

May 7. 1GG7. j '■ ' '

For the Right Honorable the Lord Arlington
Principall Secretary of State to his Ma''=
and (iiie of his Ma"" most honourable Privy
Councell, these humbly present -

" At White-Hall. - ;

- ■■ Colonel JV/colLs lo (roveriior Drtcy.

[ New England, I. HTl. ] "■'

May the 28"" 1GG7. N. Yorke.
S' ■

Because Mons'' Curler hath been long importuned by divers of his freinds at Quebec to give
them a visitt, and being ambitious to kisse your hands, he hath intreated my passe and liberty
to conduct and accompany a young gentleman Mons"' Fountaine, who unfortunately fell into the
barbarous hands of his enemies, and by the meanes of Mons"' Curler obtaind his liberty.'

Mons'' de Foimtaine hath of late had a youthful! zeale and impatience of returning to Canada,
and probably was ill satisfied that I would not lett him depart imtill I might assure his returne ;
to which purpose I have attended this occasion.

This present letter in answer to y" of the fu"" Aprill will be the shorter for that Mons"" Curler
can beare mee witness how much I was troubled & offended that any paisants of that village
(unto which Mons'' de Courzelle was misguided) should have exacted any pay for such meane
provisions which they could afford to y'' officers and souldiers in distresse.

. The report yow ai-e pleased to send mee of that whole enterprize of JNIons'' de Courzelle
is well knowne amongst us, and that the Reverend Father Boschefet was designd to have
concluded a peace ; but in Irutli I am stille of the opinion that the words of the Capt' and
Comissaries letter will not beare such a large exposition in Europe, however those unfortunate

' Arest Van Curlkr, alhidctl to in tlie .al)Ove pni-agrapli, crmio to this country in UiaO, as the manager or director of the
Colonic of Rensseliierwick. lie married Antonia Slaguboom, widow of Jonas Bronck, who has left hia name to one of the
rivers in Westehester county. Mr. Van Curler was the principal leader in the founding of Schenectady in 1661-2, and
was so highly regarded by the Imlian.s that in his honor they gave the name of "Corlaer" to the Governors of Xew-York.
The "pass" referred to above, as well as that to Monsieur Fontaine, is in the Secretary's Ofiice, (Orders, Wdrrants, and
Letters, ii. 159.) llo set out in the course of the summer on his visit to the Governor of Canada; but having been overtaken
by a sfjuall on Lake Champlain, he was unfortunately drowned (says the Relation of 1667 -8, p. 18,) " in crossing a great baj'. "
In an old map of the Northern Department of North America, in the Sui'veyor-Gencral's Office, what is now the Bay of
Perou, Essex coimty, is called Corlaer'a Bay. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 157

gentlemen might be transported by their contempt of danger to hazard their lives for the
pleasure of hunting ; w'^'' hath many times happed.

The voyage I made to meet with le Sieur de Cousture was of no great consequence ; it was
intended most to give him a quick, dispatch, and our rivers are pleasant enough at that season
of the yeare.

It appeares by your letter that by y"' authority the Algonqnins have been forbidden to make
warr upon us ; for which we owe yow a grateful! acknowledgment, although their evill
intentions towards us was never knovrae to us before.

I shall ever retaine that intention w'''' yow are pleased to cherish, and the same passion which
becomes all honest men. It was a pardonable mistake in mee to vi'rite to the father of a son so
highly esteemed by all who had the good fortune to knowe or heare of him) in terms so suitable
to y"' quality and reputation in the world. It may be my weaknesse but not my fault that I
cannot fashion my words into a style more proportionable to y'' meritt and my owne sincere
meaning ; yet when a good time and occasion presents (which I praesume is not farre remote)
yow shall find all that profession of my respects towards y'' son, converted to y' service and
satisfaction ; in which I shall not doubt of my master's good approbation.

I was wholly ignorant (till now) that any barque of yours had been seized or made prize, but
shall make further enquiry thereinto ; being appointed by His Ma"" to have an inspection over
all his affaires and concernes in N. England, of w'='' one point is, that his allies sutter no
praejudice.

Divers of y'' souldiers in despaire of returning to Canada from Boston, and indeed lying under
some suspition (how unreasonable soever it was) were transported at the country charge, in
English vessells thence into England, with certificates to returne into France. Mons"' Curler
can informe 3'ow at large in these particulars, although he hath no employ from mee, more than to
gratify his owne desire with leave to kisse y"' hands, to conduct Mons"" Fountaine and visitt some
of his freinds, who seeme so earnestly to desire it ; not doubting of y'' safe passeport or w' else
is necessary to his returne.

I shall esteeme myselfe very happy if yow please to ranke mee in the quality of being

Y"' most aff'* & most humble Servant

R. NiCOLLS.

A Mons' de Tracy |
A Quebec. j

Colonel JSFicolls to the Magistrates^ c&f., of the Eastern Parts of Long Island.

[ New-Tork Papers, I. 87. ]

Gentlemen

I haue not giuen yow the trouble of Alarums to interrupt y'' private occasions, but the noise
of Warrs sounds from farr in other Plantations, and therefore it becomes necessaiy at present in
his Ma''" name to direct and require you, that for the comon safety in this time of danger your
Militia be put into the following wayes of defence and readiness to comply with these my
present directions 'till further order.

X58 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

1" That one third of the Militia which are now in foot companies doe fitt themselues with
horses, saddles & such armes (either Pistolls, Carabines or Musketts) as they haue, which third
part of the Militia are to be ready at an houres warning with their horses and armes to answer
all tnie alarums of an Enemy and my orders when I appoint them a Randevouz.

ondiy That the other two parts of the Militia remaine in or about their Plantations for the
security of their Estates and families as much as may bee.

3rdiy That if any TowTie be in more danger than another the Neighbouring Towaies shall upon
notice send releife to them.

4thiy That the horsemen of each Tounie haue liberty to choose a Corporall of their owne to
conduct them upon all occasions or to the Rendevous when appointed and the there whole Body
shall elect and make choice of their Cap', Lieutenant and Comett.

Lastly The Justices of the Peace, the Constables, the Overseers and Military Officers are
required upon their allegiance to promote this his Ma"" speciall service strenuously and
dilligently for the praeservation of the peace of these his Ma"" Dominions. For acting and
doing wherein what is necessary this shall be their especiall Warrant. Given at N. Yorke this
19"' day of July 1667. fort James.

To tiie Justices of the peace, Constables and Overseers of Southhampton, Easthampton,
Southold, Seatalcot, Huntington, Oyster Pay, Hemsteed.

Colonel Nicolls to Governor Winthrqp, c&c.

[New England, I. 375.]

Honoured Sir

Y" of the sixt of May 1667. in answer to a letter from Sir R. Carr, M'' S. Mavericke and
myselfe bearhig date the 20"' of 9''" 1666 hath remained in my hands in liopes that I might
have heard from INP Maverick whose advice I have sought iu the matter, but not yet attain'd.
However another occasion now presenting, I shall take the liberty of oifering my explanations
and advice in the quaestions w'^'' yow seeme to desire may be reconciled.

Be pleas'd to take notice that His Ma"" Comiss" reflecting upon the shortness of the time
graunted in their warrant bearing date the 4"' of Aprill 1665. at Warwick, requiring the
remoovall of severall inhabitants out of the Kings Province and seasonably forseeing that His
Ma"" determination could not be obtained before the end of 7''" made a second order, the copy
whereof I now send, unto w"^ I did also concurr as yow will find by the originall remaining in
yo' hands. After which, upon the address of Roger Plaistead, we wrote againe to yow and gave
yow the reasons of our actings, in ours of the 20"" of 9'""', so that yow may plainly see that the
first order made att Warwick, was made void by the 2^, dated the 15"" of 7''" and particularly
explained in our last of the 20"' of 9^" 66. so that to mee nothing is more cleere than the nuUity
of the 1" order made at Warwick.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 159

I will not excuse Sir R. Carr's hastiness unseasonably putting Plaistead into possession, yet I
heare that he received some extraordinary provocations upon the place. It had beene more
regular and methodicall that the Justices had sent forth their orders, but failings are naturall
infirmities. Thus farr in answer to yours received.

Though I write not now as a Comissioner because I am not singly qualified to act, but in
Company, yet I hope that what I have or shall write further, will have some weight and
impression upon your thoughts according to the merritt and justice of the matter. It is well
knowne to yow that His Ma"" Comissioners being at Rhode Island, found a controversy of title
to land, between W" Harris and John Harwood which had so long depended and with too
much heate beene so farre prosecuted, as that many considerable persons became ingaged as
parties and adhaerents to the cause, on both sides. This mooved his Ma''" Comissioners to
incline to have the bearing of the matter, but His Ma"" more weighty affaires required their
attendance at Boston, from whence they sent directions to yow, to heare and determine the
case w'"" by your Generall Court in IGGO was accordingly determined and execution graunted to
M"" Harris ; which hath layen so long dormant in the Serjeants hands, that y'' late Gen" Court
in July hath beene pleased to put a staine and blemish upon the former resolutions of the Geu"
Court in .60 and wholly defeated their act, which was grounded upon all the formalities of the
law, from verdict to judgment and execution : Which at this distance savours of some partiality.
If you thinke mee worthy to propose an expedient consonant to Justice, it should be that some
of y' neighbours of Plymouth Colony were invited and desired, as a jury or as arbitrators, to hear
impartially both sides and decide the whole controversy ; for I feare that too many of y"' Colony
are totally ingaged on the one side or the other.

M' Harris further complaines that being an assistant together with M'' Carpenter at a towne
election of officers, they mett with some disorders & thereupon enter'd a complaint in the
King's behalfe against M'' Fenner. The Court saw cause to acquitt M"" Fenner and to fine M""
Harris fifty pound. Yow will not find in any one law booke of England, a pra?sident for so
doing, but the contrary ; for whoever sues for the King, though he does not make out the full
matter and evidence, is defended by the lawes from suffering a fine in that respect.

I hope you will reflect seasonably upon these things, w'^'^ with greife and trouble I now write ;
my onely designe therein is to contribute my hearty neighbourly and freindly advice to your
peace and prosperity ; w"='' yow cannot expect till you have purged away the leaven of factious
interests in y' Courts and country, that with brotherly love and unity, y"' aflaires may be carried
on in the sight of God and all good men.

I am

Honoured S' and Gentlemen

¥■■ very aff"'" servant

R. NiCOLLS.

Si'" of July 1667.
Fort James in New Yorke

160 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

, ■ Mr. Maverick to the Secretary of State.

[ New-York Miscellany Bundle, Slate Paper Office. ]

Right Honourable.

i May it please your Lordship. lu August last was twelve month by CoUonel Cartwright I
presumed to send you a letter and coppies of several other letters formerly seut and other papers
which were all lost, I therefore by all conveyances since have presumed to trouble you with
more copies, some wee knowe are lost, some wee hope are come to hand, hearing the Bearers
are arrived in England. In October last being at New Yorke, S"' Robert Carre being then
sicke and not in a capacity to goe for England, and I resolved to goe, to have given as ample an
account as I could, but before the Ship sailed being frozen in, a long time, I w^as taken sicke,
but sent two packetts, which I brought from Collonell NicoUs under a covert to the Honb'* Sir
William Coventry one by Captain (Jilhams Ship, the other by Cap'" Avis, who wee feare is
lost, the other wee heare is arrived ; I sent allsoe in the same fieete by one Capt. Proute as by
the other two, letters to your Lord'', Sir William Morris, Sir William Coventry and Collonell
Cartwright, informing as well as I couUl, how things stood here at tiiat tyme, resolving, if I
recovered in any measure to goe myselfe in a single ship left behind the Fieete ; but in tlie
interim. Sir Robert being well recovered, it was resolved that liee should goe and I remayne here :
I furnished hira with all the materiall papers I had of actings in his absence and tymes of
sicknes and by him wrote to your Lord^ Sir W'" Morrice and Sir W"" Coventry. I hope
tliat bee and all liee carried is ere this safely arrived in Engl'', hee setting saile from hence on
the 20"" of March in one Capt" Martin, bound for Eristoll. 1 sliall not trouble you with tlie
relation of the contest that fell out between him and the reputed Gov'' & Councill and the issue,
if hee [ be ] not arrived, Capt" Bredin intends to give your Lord'' an account of it by this
conveyance.

Since Sir Roberts departure, there hath l)een but little action, only on the 15"' of this instant,
was the day of election, where was a small appearance, they cliose M'' Beliingham Governor
and Hauthorne and all the rest of the Magistrates that were last yeere and added no more to
tiieni. The lirst act they did was the expelling Capt" Appleton of Ipswich wiio was chosen
Deputy for that Towne ; the crime laid to his charge was the subscription that Loyall Peticon
presented to the last Court of which coppies have been sent to your Lord'' It is nowe commonly
reported about the Country, that the signification of his Maj'>'* pleasure, which in September
last I gave in Court to the Gov'' and Councell was never signed by His Maj'-'', but that it was
Ibrged by mee to them, and that when their letter directed from them to the Hon''''" Sir Wiliinm
Morrice was by one Harwood living at Bednall Greene delivered, and hee brought to the
King's presence, his Maj"' tould him liee never ordered any such thing to bee sent : and
commended the Gov"" & Councell for not submitting unto it or the contents of it ; these things
and rumours spread al»roiid exceedingly dishearten and discourage the loyall party as by frequent
hUters and messages from nil parts I am infonned ; I do what 1 can to hearten them by letters
and now and tlien by visits.

Good my Lord I most humbly bese(!ch you bee pleased to procure, some speedy order ma)'
be taken for a full settlement of His Ma''''' Colonies in New England entirely under his obedience
which will give greatc satisfaction to all well affected people, & prevent all inconveniences which
otherwise will in tyme appeare ; I iiave presumed formerly humbly to present unto your Lord"*,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 161

my ap[HX'hensions bow this worke may bee done with least cliarge to His Maj'^ and most
satisfaction to the innocent.

I this weelve receved a lettre from Coll : Nicolls, all is well there, only they want money or
goods, for certaine bee is engaged on bis owne credit for goods and money taken up heare to
carry on the worke above one thousand pounds ; In letters dated in Jauuaiy and since in March
p Sir Robert CaiTS I gave unto the Hon'''° Sir W" Coventry an account bow all things stood
there ; I suppose bee shewed it to your Lord?. Good My Lord pardon mee for giving you so
much trouble, from tyme to tyme there have been such losses and miscarriages of letters and
papers of late that I dare not let any opportunity pass witiiout writing. I shall end for this tyme
humbly craving the Countenance of your wonted favour to mee who am and shall ever remayne,
Itight Hon""^ Sir

Your most obliged humble servant. ■ ■

This above is a coppie of a letter sent in June another coppie I sent with some addition by one
Randall of Plymouth before which time wee had certaine newes that Sir Rob' Carr dyed in
Bristoll and never got to London, but hope the papers bee received came safe ; since which time
wee have not heard from England, nor much from any other place only this ; the Plantations at
Cape Feare are diserted, the inhabitants are since come hither, some to Virginia ; atBurmudoes
there hath been such a drought as the fruites of the earth are all destroyed, and in Virginia on
the 23'''' of August there was such a dreadfull baracana as blew up all the rootes that was on
the ground, overturned many houses and abundance of Trees, and drove up some vessels of
burthen above high water marke many foote, and about tyme they report, the Lord Baltamores
Sonne Gov"^ of Virginia died : Good My Lord pardon me for being so troublesome, I shall and
remaine, R' Hon'"''' Sir Your most obliged humble servant

Samuell Mavericke

[Boston, October 16, 16G7. ]

Mr. Maverick to Colonel Cartwright.

[ New-York Miscellany Bundle, State Paper Office. ]

Ever honored Sir, • ■• '

I have not lett passe any opportunitie of writing unto yon ; my last unto you was by one M'
Randall ; the letters committed to the care of one Zacheus Sedgv^'Wie who lived with Capt"
Breedon ; in that as in all others I gave you an account of all that had passed, to the tyme the
letters w-ere written in. In my last was inclosed a letter to My Lord Chancellor which I left
unclosed that you might see the contence of it, and then desired you to seale it and deliver it
to my Lord if in beiuge, or else to my Lord Arlington. I send another coppie inclosed in this
open it, that you may see the contence, and then deliver as aforesaid.

There is nothing since worth relation, only M"' Wilson is dead, and they have given M"'
Davenport of New Haven a call to suckseed him, but whither he will barken to it, wee know
not.

Sargaut Exton who Col : NicoU sett out to see what be could doe against the P'rench, two
Vol. III. 21

X62 NEV/-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

dayes since arrived iieare, and Jiath taken two Forts, burnt them and brought away as many
gunns & other phuider, as liis vessel can carry no more. In Barmodas there hath beene such
an extreame drought as hath destroyed all the frutes of the earth, and in Virginia in August was
such a haracana as blew all downe before it, the like was never knovvne, and they report that
at tliat tyme young Baltimore dyed.

From Newfoundland we heare, that the Dutch landed on the isle of Tenett' burnt several of
the Royall shippes and canyed away the Charles, on which they say the Duke of Albemarle-
was made high Constable of England and Ireland, that he had displaced the Duke of Ormond,
and Casheii'ed 153 officers in Ireland. In England, that he had committed to the Tower the
L'' Chancellor, and several Bishops, this is pleasing newes to some heare who believe it to be
trew.

Sir I hojje my last to you (written Sept : 12. sent by Zacheus Sedgwicks in a shipp of
Plymouth) will come safe to your hand which was more larg then this is. I am just now come
from Salem and further east and finding the shipp setting sayle, I cannot enlarge, nor is there tyme
to get this transcribed ; very many of your friends present theire best respects, to you, and much
desire your company here again, pray if there be any thinge to be gotten for me, lett me heare
from you ; however, I shall be glad to see a few lyncs under your hand. Good Sir, excuse this
scriblinge, if the shipp stay till tomorrow you shall have it in a better manner. I shall ever
remaine

Sir, Your most afii?ctionate freinde & servant

[ Boston, October IG, 1667. ] Samuel Mavericke.

Colonel Nicolh- to the Reverend Father Fierron.

[ New- York Papers, I. 63. ]

fort Albany f^"' October 1667
Sir

Having seen your very agreable letter to Madame de Corlart of the 13"" 7''" and also another
to Mr Hains, I feel very glad to be here to communicate briefly my sentiments to you thereon ;
but seeing by the commencement of yours to Madame de Corlart that you have thoroughly
learned the English language, I dare no longer hazard my bad French style, fearing to appear
very ignorant before you, as I am in fact of your tongue. Therefore it is,^ I now beginn in
plaine English to let you know that if you please to give mee a INIeeting at Schonestade I shall
bee glad to see you and to seme you in what you seeme to desire towards your Winters
prouision.

Wee have lately receiu'd newes from Bilhoe fyall and other places that the peace is concluded
between the Crownes of England and franco, although I have yet no expresse letters from his
Majesty of England to that purpose and wee doe confidently beleeue those warrs are ended as
also that the french army hath taken severall Townes in Flanders which news I perceiue you
haue also met vv"'all.

' Isle of Tlianet, England. — Ed. ' The preceding part of tlie JIS. is in Freueh. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. I53

Howeuer to a person of }"■ proCessiou and nierltt I slionld at any Time willingly accept an
Enterview without entring into discourse of Politique Affiiires. Therefore this present letter is
expressly sent in Place of a Passeport to giue you full assurance of y' freedome to come
to Schoneistade and to returne at y"" Liberty and if you please to bring one more in y'' Company
upon the same termes I shall endeavour to answer you y'' desires. Be pleasd to come with
all Expedition as I haue but a little time to spend in the and you will find mee next

Muuday and till Tuesday att noone in Schoneistade attending y'' answer ; you may easily and
w-ith the most Expedition make the voyage in a Canoe down the river otherwise I would liave
sent horses for y"" accomodation. If you cannot lay hold of this present opportunity the Liberty
I haue now given will neither serue you nor mee to those civil 1 purposes whereunto in person I
am now ready to comply, bee pleasd to send mee your speedy answer by this bearer in case
j'Ou are not disposed to take so suddain a Voyage.

] am, Your very humble Servant,

R. NiCOLLS.

A Monsieur, Monsieur le Reverend Pere Jean Pierron
au Chasteau Tionnontogon,'

soit donne.

Governor Stuyvesant to the DnJce of York.

[ Xcw-Tork Papers, I. 126. ]

Severall Proposalls humbly to be tendred to his Royall Highnes from Peter
Stuyvesant, the late Governo'' of New Netherlands, in the behalfe of himselfe,
& the Dutch Inhabitants there.

First That his Royall Highnes would be graciously pleased, to ratify & confirme all such
articles of Agreem' as were concluded betwixt Coll. Nicolls, (authorized by His Royal Highnes)
and the said I ;ter Stuy\'esant for the welfare and mutual benefit of both nations. As by the
Articles themselves more at large may appeare.

That amongst the severall Articles, conducing to the benefit of the Inhabitants, it was there
concluded that the Dutch nation (now his Royall Highesse most faithfull and obedient subjects)
should have liberty to Trade with their owne Correspondents in Holland, and have free leave to
send thither what goods they please, and have returnes from thence in shipps of their owme
Country, As by the sixth Article it more largely appeares.

That if this Article be not observed, or in some measure indulg'd. All the Dutch inhabitants
of New Yorke must inevitably be brought to ruyne, and consequently that hopefull Colony to
extreame penury and want, ffor the confirmation of which hee humbly tenders these ensuing
Reasons.

' Tionnontoguen was the capital of the entire Mohawk country, whicli nation Father Piekron visited this year. {Relation,
166'7 - 8, pp. 14, 42.) It was situate on a liill, on the north bank of the Moliawk River, from which it was distant a bow
shot, (GrcenhalgK s Report, post. Anno 1677.) and was four leagues from Gaudaouague, represented as the nearest village to
the enemy's (or Mohegan) country. (Relation 1669-70. Ill, 112.) In 1689, it was removed an English mile higher up. (xWoi-
York Documentary History, Svo. ii. 87. — Ed.

164 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

1" That since the most consideral)le Inhabitants of tliose parts (being composed of the Dntch
nation) allwayes kept a Correspondence vvitli their ffreinds in their own native Comitryes, and
having received constant snpplyes from tliem, at farr easyer rates than from any other parts,
They will not ouely be deprived of soe great advantages, but even Comerce itselfe since at
present they liave not had an opportunity to fix their Correspondence elsewhere.

2'"y .Since their manner of agriculture is wholly different from that way practised by the
English nation there, and therefore cannot possibly expect a supply from England of those
utensills relating to the cultivating of their Land, but of necessity must expect them from their
owne Countrey.

3<">' Since the Trade of Beaver, (the most desirable comodity for Europe) hath allwayes been
purchased from the Indyans, by the Comodities brought from Holland as Camper, Duffles,
Hatchetts, and other Iron worke made at Utrick Sc" much esteemed of by the Natives, It is to be
fear'd that if those Comodities should fail them, the very Trade itself would fall, and the tl'rench
of Canida, who are now incroach'd to be too neare Neighbours unto us (as but halfe a days
journey from the Mohawkes) making use of their Necessities and sujiplying them, they will in
time totally divert the Beaver Trade, and then the miserable consequence that will ensue, wee
shall not have one shipp from Europe to Trade with us.

4ihiy 'piiat it being most certainely evident noe shipps from England are resolv'd to visit those
parts this season, S(3e that unlesse the Inhabitants be supply'd before spring with all necessaryes
from Holland, It will be not onely impossible for them to subsist, but they must be constrained
to forsake their Tillage and seeke out a Livelyhood elsewhere.

But if his Royall Highnes out of his tender care and compassion to his distressed subjects
there, will procure liberty for one or two small Dutch vessells (by name the Crosse Heart and
the Indian) the one of Two hundred tonn, the other of one hundred & twenty, to goe from
thence to New Yorke, Hee will undertake to satisfie the necessities both of the Marchant and
Husbandman, with all things necessary, And soe the Inhabitants being plentifully supply'd, may
chearfully follow their Vocations, and blesse God for the opportunity of Injoyment of all peace
1^- plenty uiuhn" the Auspicious wings of Your Royall Highnesse jiaternall care and protection.

Petition of Peter Stuyvemnt to the King and Privy CoiinciL

[ New-York rapcra, I. C4. ]

To y' Kings most Excell' Ma''"^^ & to y"" R' ho''''' y* Lords of his Ma" most ho'''''
Priuie Councell.

Tlu; humble I'eticon of I'eter Sluyvesant late Covorno"' ofy"" Citty and ilbrt called yVmsterdam
and Generall of y"" New Netherlands, for and in behalfe of himselfe, and tlie Dutch Nacon, now
Yo'^ JNIa" subjects in New Yorke.

SlinvKtli

That yo'' Pef after a solemn Treaty upon certaine Artickles bearing date y" 29"' of August :
04 : did surrender the Towne and ffort called Amsterdam into y" Iiands of Coll : Richard

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 165

Nicolls, and did thereupon acknowledge all due obedience, and sweare faith and true allegiance,
to yo'' most Excell' Ma''^. That amongst other Artickles of that Treaty, that of number y^ G"' for
a free Trade, was esteemed to bee of most considerable importance, w"^ according to y' originall
batli these words following ; viz' It is consented to that any people may come from y^
Netherlands and Plant in this Country and that Dutch Vessells may freely come hither and any
of y" Dutch may freely returue home, or scud any Mercliandize home in vessells of their owne
Country.

May it therefore please 3'o'' jNIa"*^ and y"^ R' ho"'' Board to take y^ premisses into yo"" serious
consideracon and that the Treaty entred into by y" Mediacon of M"' Winthrop then Governo''
of y' Collony of Harford in New England, and signed by Coll. Nicholls (as may appeare by his
direccons to M"' Winthrop und'' his owne hand may be ratified and confiniied, according to y*
Law of Nations in such Cases, That so yo"' INIa"" Dutch Subjects in those parts, may be allowed
y" benefitt of a free trade, as hath been graunted them by y" G"" Article whereby y' Planters may
be furnished w"" some necessaries, not to bee had from other parts. And that in Ord'' to a more
amicable correspondence betweene and Joynt endeavoiu' for yo'' Ma'"'^ service, by yo'' jNIa""
Subjects of both Nacons

More particularly Yo'' Pef humbly Beggs that according to his annexed passe and Repasse
from Coll. Nicholls, Yo"' Ma"^ will gratiously bee pleased to grant him the liberty of Returning
thither in y^ same shipp named therein y* Crost heart, or of any other from any Porte of Holland
he shall thinke Convenient.

And j'o"' Pef shall ever pray &""

" The Peticon of Peter Stuyvesant Sc'= New York.
Read and ordered 23"' October. G7."

Report of the Committee of the Council on the preceding Petition.

[ New-York Papers, I. 68, ]

Whitehall 17"' October 16G7.

Present — Earle of Bridgewater Earle of Laytherdaill,

Earle of Crauen Lord Berkely

M'' Vice chamberlain.

The Committee of Councill appointed by your Ma'y examined the Petition of Peter
Stuyvesant late Gouuerneur of the New Netherlands, and the Articles thereunto annexed.

Uppon due Consideration had thereuppon.

Wee doe (in regard of the necessity of a present trade in those parts which cannott at this
time bee supplied from hence) Humbly offer to Your Ma'''.

That a temporary Permission for seauen yeares bee graunted to the Dutch to trade freely
with the Inhabitants of the lands lately reduced from the Dutch into the obedience of your Ma'^.

IQQ NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

The sayd Dutch Inhabitants, beinge nowe become your ]Ma''''' subjects, hauing taken tlie Oath
of Alleagiance, and their agent the sa^'d Peter Stuyvesant being present hath fully consented
hereunto.

And wee doe also liiinibly offer it as our opinion. That (according to the Petitioner's desire)
3'our Ma'y doe graunt him your Passe, pursuant to the Passeport hee hath from Coll : NichoUs,
for his safe returne from Holand into those parts.

Endorsed

Report From the Committee for forraigne Plantations. 17"" Octob' 1G67.

Read in Councell 2-3'''' Octob'' 1667. Concerning New Yorke.

Order of flte Kiiuj in Council on tlie Petition of Peter Stfiiivesant.

[ Xew-York Papers, I. 71. ]

Order on y" Peticon of Peter .StuvA'esant 23"" of October ir>(>7.

Present — His Ma''" E. of Anglesey.

Duke of Yorke. E. of Carlisle.

Archbi'P of Cant. E. of Crauen.

L'^ Keeper. E. of Lauderdaill.

L"^ Privy Seale. E. of Middleton.

D. Buckingham. E. of Carbery.
L'' great chambiain. Vise' Fitzharding.
L** Chamberlain. L*^ Berkeley.
Earle Bridgewater. L'' Holies.

E. Berkshire. ]\P Sec"^ IMorrice.

W Ch : of y" Dutchy.

The Pet" of Peter i?tuyvesant late Governour of the Citty and Fort called Amsterdam, &-
Generall of the New Netherlands, for & on the behalfe of himself & the Dutch Nation (now Ids
Ma"* subjects in New Yorke) being this day Read at the Board, shewing, That the Pef after a
solemne Treaty, upon Articles dated the 29"" of August 1664, did sui-render the Towne and
fort called Amstiu'dam into the hands of Coll. Richard Nicholls, & did thereupon acknowledge
all due obedience, & sweare faith and ti'ue Allegiance to his Ma''" That by the sixt Article : It
was consented to that any people may come from the Netherlands, & plant in that country, and
that Dutch vessells may freely come thither, & any of the Dutch may freely returne home, or
send any Merchandize home in Vessells of their owne Countrye, and praying that a free Trade
may accordinly be allowed. Upon serious consideracon of the present necessity of Trade &
comerce to be supported & encouraged in those parts for the comon benefitt, w""* cannot at this
time be supplyed from hence, and the Dutch Inhabitants in New Yorke beinge now become his
IMa'J" subjects (as aforesaid) It was this day ordered (his Ma"" present in Councill) that a
temporary permission for seven yeares, with three shipps onely, be given and hereby is granted

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. ■ 167

unto the Dutch freel}- to trade with the Inhahitants of the Lauds lately reduced from the Dutch
into the obedience of his Ma"'" ; And that hereafter no passe lycence or permission be at any
time given to any greater number of shipps to trade as aforesaid ; And hereof as well his Ma'"
Govorno" in those parts as all other Othcers and persons concerned are required to take notice
and yeild due obedience accordingly.

23"' Oct. 1GG7'

It was this day ordered by his Ma"« in Councell That his Royall H" the Duke of Yorke Lord
High Adm" of England be and hereby he is_ authorized to graunt his Passe and Lycence
unto Heere Peter Stuyuesant, late Geuerall of the New Netherlands to returne to the place
formerly called the New Netherlands, and now called New Yorke, pursuant to the Passport he
had and received from Colonel Nicolls for his safe goeing for Holland & returne into those Parts.

Colonel Nicolls to Seo-etary Arlington.

[ Trade Papers, state Paper Office. XVH. So. ]

IS"" of 9''" 67. Fort James
in N. Yorke.
My Lord.

Since my last by S'' W" Davison's ship the Orange Tree, wee have neither seene or heard
of any ship bound to this port nor any place of New England, insomuch that all people are
imder a discouragement of sending into England until they receive more certain intelligence how
the affaires stand, for if creditt were to be given to several! flying reports, we must conclude that
the whole nation is more than distresst with forreine and civill warrs. We live in a great
scarcity of all necessaries and the want of ships this whole summer gives great latitude to our
apprehensions of some extraordinary disaster fallen his Majesty. In earnest I knew not what
to beleeve nor what to write, but I count it my duty to slip noe becoming opportunity through yo'
Lp^ favour that his Sacred Majesty may know that all the coasts of New England have enjoyed
peace to this day, however through negligence and ill conduct a great part of the Virginia fleet
were taken and destroyed shamefully in June last.

To prevent the incursions of the French from Canada into these parts, I have turned one
third of the country militia into horse and dragoones ; the like is done in Conecticot Colony, but
the grandees of Boston are too proud to be dealt with, saying that his Majesty is well satisfied
with their loyalty, & hatli recalled Ijoth his Commission and disgrac'd his Comissioners. IMy
Lord, the foresaid discouragements fall heavy upon us poore mortalls that know no interest but
his Ma''" and are ready every houre to sacrifize our lives for his honoiu- and service. When His
Ma''"' is truly inform'd how advantagiously wee are posted by scituation to bridle his enemies and
secure all his good subjects, I humbly prsesume to thinke that his Ma''*" would afford much of
countenance and regard unto us notwithstanding that liis Ma"^ hath graunted the whole tract to
his R. H'. I beseech y"" L'' to pardon my impertinencies in oftijring considerations of such
consequence, but being upon the place I may pretend to some knowledge which I leave to better

]Q8 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

judgements. I wisli y' Lp all health and happpiness and shall ever depend upon }•■■ old freindship
whereby I shall stand obliged niost faithfully to continue and assert that I am

My Lord

Y^ L'»

most atf '" humble Servant

(signed) K. Nicholls.

To the Right Hon"'" tlie Lord
Arlington Principall Secretary
of State to his Rlajesty.

at Whitehall.
p''sent these.

Siatcnient respecting tlie Seizure of a Vessel lnj the Indians.

[ Nuw-York Papers, I. 73. ]

A true declaration of the Carriadge of the Indians about the \'essell lost.

One iSIoudaye night the IS 9 — KiO? about 2 or 3 a clock in the morning, by reason of the
violence of tlie wind, ni)' audio" remaining home, my vessell drone a shoare in the liarbo'' at
the west end of that Hand next to quicksliole,' my selfe & company then went to warme o""
selues at an Indian howse, the Indians saied the vessell and the goods were theirs, wee answered
noe, they had noe right to it, tiiey sent to the Sackym & to the other Indians who all came
together, and while they were consulting about the vessell & goods they bid us to goe to the
other howse ; wee answered uoe, they need not turue us out of the how^se wee did not hinder
them : then the Indians went out of the howse to the next howse & wee went aboard, &
abowt an hower & halfe after wee being returned to the howse the Indians came thither also,
and toU'd us they had determined all together wee should neither haue o'" vessell o'' goods they
would take them.

I desired my chest of them, some of them answered noe tliere was such cloth in it &' they
woulld haue it, I desired my weareiug cloathes w''*" they graunted and some prouisioiis to eate
while wee were there w''' they gi'aunted, they tooke away a suite of cloathes from me, U
pre of shooes, all my tooles, the sachim had my saw in his hand w'''' I would haue had, but lie
woulld not gyue it me, nor my axe. They tooke away a new liatt and a new paire of shooes
from ni}' sonne ; the partyculers lost are my vessell of 15 tunns w"" all due furniture belonging
to it, and a foresaile to spare, my Cables and ancho" I desired of them but they woulld not
gyue them unto mee, my vessell was not scene to be staued when we veiwed liir at low water,
onely the 1)ack of hir rudder broken of; My freight al^oard was 4S» Indian come, fower liarrells
of pork, 4 hydes, 1 lirkin of bulcr, I smale caski; of suett about 4o'' one barrcll of toliacco,
about 34 or 30' cotton wool ; 2i) biishells nieale 8 bushells of it wlieate meale, the rest Ifye
of Indian nu>ale, 1 busiiell wheatc, 1 bushell of Rye, 2 bushells turnepps, one bushells of
Inions, Red cloth G yards, 3 or 4 yards pemistone, My leade & lync with diuerse other things out

' A pass between two of the Elizabeth Islands, south of New Bedford, Massachusetts. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 11. 169

of my Chest and vessell ; sliooes, one payre womens sliooes, two Iron potts, 3 paire Chilklrens
sliooes, 2 paire new Russett shooes : 40' tallow, 2 gunns, a greeue blankett, a womans cloake
from goody doggett, this is the truthe of the case at the present to o'' best remembraunce.

This declaration aboue written was attested upon oathe by William Weexe the master of
saied vessell, and by his son William and by thomas the Indian who was seaman in the vessell.

goody doggett testyfyes that the Indyans did take awaye & w^'oUd the vessell & goods from
the master and shee did intreate them to lett him haue his vessell againe but they would not,
but they allso denied the meale and meate and fetcht it away, all these were taken uppon oathe
22 nouember 1G67 upon the Vynyard.

This is the Coppy of what is under oathe

Thomas Mayhew.

Endorsed •

"22 NovemV 1667
a Declaracon of the
Carriage of y^ Indians
about a Vessell taken
by them. "

Endorsed further down

" A declaration about a vessell
of Will Weexes taken by Indians
at one of the El3'zabethes Isles : No**'^ 1667. "

Colonel Nicolls to Mr. Mayliew.

: .^ [ New England, I. 867. ]

Jan. the S-f 1667. Fort James,
M"' Mayhew.

Yo" of the 26"" of No'' with the inclosed attestations relating the disaster befallen a vessell

and goods driven upon one of the Elizabeth Isles, is brought to me by John Dixey who was

able to give me an exact confirmation thereof, because he brought the deponents with his sloop,

out of their bondage. This is the second violence which the Indians of y"' parts have committed

upon Christians since my arrivall in this country. This latter (though without bloodshed)

appeares to mee of as ill example and consequence as the former ; therefore I see it is high

time for mee to put forth my authority to strengthen your hands by a speciall comission in this

case, and allso to give yow some generall heads of directions and advice how to beginn with

those Indians and how farr to proceed ; for they shall not be sufferd to prajtend to such a

praerogative, much lesse to exercise such barbarisme. Therefore 1" send messengers to the

Sachems and acquaint them that I have heard of their insolency and doe demand of them and

their people full satisfaction for the dammage sustain'd, that one or both of the Sachems

personally appeare before yow upon Martin's Vineyard to answer their crime. If one or both

Vol. III. 22

170 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

appeare iipou the summons, be not sparing to tlireaten and terrify them for what is past or may
happen hereafter. If yow find them wilhng to comply to satisfaction, then allow. them time for
payment of the principall and the charges. If neither of them appeare at the first smiinions,
send yet a second, peremptorily to comand them and satisfaction also ; giving them a short time to
make answer. I hope you may find hands and hearts enough either upon ^lartin's Vineyard or
the neighbours of PMmouth in such like cases, to reduce these Indians to better obedience ; and
further let those Indians know that if they force mo to send souldiers amongst them from these
parts and garrisons, it will bring so great a charge upon their heads that perpetually slavery will
be their end. You will doe very well to desire Governour Prince and the Assistants of
Plymouth to put forth some order to their liulians, manifesting their displeasure against the
authoi'S of this late action, or any that shall assist them ; by which means I presume yow will
bring those Indians to an easier complyance ; whereof, or in case of greater difliiculty, I desire
yow will give me notice, for I assure yow this matter shall not fall to the ground. I have not been
forward in triviall cases to contest for my master's bounds, knowing however that all the Islands
except Block Island from Cape Codd to Cape May, are included in my master's patent. The
first scruples wall be soone reinooved ; however in cases of this consequence I must declare my
selfe both in point of power and readiness to protect and defend my master's honour and interest.

John Dixey tells me that those Indians are not necessitous, for that they have great store of
hogs which may yield satisfaction ; though I am apt to beleeve much of the goods, (liquors
excepted) will be found amongst them.

It is not possible for me to give full advice at this distance, therefore I must leave very nuu^h
to y' prudence and the dictates of a good conscience ; which two ingi'edients are proper in all
matters of gi'eat consequence.

What I wrote concerning Tallman yow may peruse as well as himselfe if j'ow have my letter
by yow. No more at present but that I am

S"' Yo'' very aft'"" friend

R. jXicolls.

I have in the Comission, left you the latitude to make choice of two able men to assist yow ;
for I prajsume it will be acceptable to you that such a weighty affaire remaine not upon your
.shoulders onely. Your inserting their names will be sufficient.

To iM' Mayhew.

Colonel KkvJh to tlie Council of Massadimeils.

[ New England, I. 300. ]

Worthy Gentlemen.

I was for some time past very unwilling to beleeve tliat yow would reassume a power of
government in the Province of Maine or Yorkeshire, the absolute decision whereof is lodg'd
with His Ma"« ; and surely it will appeare an open breache of duty that any of His Ma""
inferiour Courts should usurpe a power over townes and persons after that it hath pleased His
Ma"'^ to signifie his pleasure to yo'^ selves in these following words: — "And for the better

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 171

praeveution of all differences and disputes upon the bounds and limitts of the several! Colonies His
Ma"" pleasure is that all determinations made by His Ma''" Comissioners with reference to the
s'' bounds and limitts, may still continue and be observed till upon a full representation of all
pra^tences His Ma"'= shall make his owne finall determination, " &■= — Which very words yow
will find in y' owne letter from His Ma"'= concluding thus : — " And His Ma"'' expects that full
obedience be given to this signification of his pleasure in all particulars. Given at the Court at
Whitehall the lO'" day of Aprill 1666 in the eighteenthe of His Ma"" reigne : by His Ma""
command. W" Morrice. " But I have now scene the order of y"' last Gen" Court in answer
to the petition of some restless and unquiett spiritts wherein yo'' resolution is already taken to
send Commissioners to keepe a Courte and to exercise justice &"^ as under y' government. I
know 3'ow have force enough to compell most of y'' neighbours to submitt to y"" government, but
if yow thinke that His Ma"''' arme \%all never be strecht forth to defend his subjects from
usurpation, yow may attempt any thing under the notion of setling peace and order. I dare
not be silent in a matter so expressly contradictory to His Ma"*"' signification dated the lO"" of
Aprill 1GG6. for though some of y"" great people have spread a report that the s'' signification was
never knowne to or owTi'd by His Ma"" and probably for that reason the Generall Court was
induced to issue forth the fores'* order, yet yow are to expect that His Ma"^ will owue his hand,
and S"' W"" Morrice will require satisfaction for such scandalous aspersions upon him being
Principall Secretary of State. In short }'ow will find that Province already settled by His
IMa"''' Comissioners in peace and order except some few turbulent spiritts. You may read His
Ma"" hath made a temporary confirmation thereof; why then are yow so hasty to enter upon
a thing of this nature, or how can yow say that yow have heard nothing since that might
discourage or weaken your title to the s"* government. I am necessitated to write in these plaine
and large tenns, because the shortness of my time in these parts will not peniiittme to give yow
a visitt ; but I will tell yow my feares, that if yow proceed to compell an alteration of
government in the Province of Maine by subverting their present establishment as it now stands
circumstanced, in all likelyhood yow may cause blood to be shed ; for it is both naturall and
lawfull for men to defend their just rights against all invaders. Gentlemen. I shall send a
copy of this my letter, with an originall of His IMa""' fors'' signification to those gentlemen of
the s"* province, and there leave the decision betwixt God and your selves. My hearty wishes
and prayers shall be to the Almighty that yow may be indued with the spiritt of obedience,
charity, meekeness, and brotherly love ; holding y"" selves within these bounds yow may be
happy upon all the points of the compasse, and I am sure no man can wish j'ow better than

Your afF'= humble servant

R. NlCOLLS.

June the 12"' GS.
Fort James in N. Yorke

To the Governour and Assistants
of His Ma"« Colony of the
Massachusetts in Boston.

172 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel NicoVs to the General Court at Boston.

[ New England, I. SOS. ]

July the SO"- GS.
Fort James in N. Yorke.
Worthy Gentlemen.

Yo" of the S"' of July gives me occasion to reply to some particulars, and I am sorry yow
will not see or understand that His Majesty hath already signified his pleasure to yow that what
settlement of bounds his Comissioners had made, should remaine till His Majestic had leisure
to take them into further consideration. At the same time His Ma''^ commanded the Governour
with others to a])peare before him and Councell, to the end that all yo'' bounds and priviledges
might have a linall determination. Yow have lately invaded his pleasure amply signified, (so
you thinke titt to terme His Ma"^^ displeasure) and how yow have complyed w"" His Ma""
comands, every man sees. I confess that I was not concernd in that affaire, but yow must not
thinke it strange that (now at my departure as yow are pleased to say) I should animadvert so
sharply upon yow in that matter. Truly Gentlemen I hold myselfc concern'd during life, in tne
affaires of N. England, and 'tis no such wonder that I should admonish yow from incurring His
^Majesties displeasure by invading the temporary bounds ordained by His Ma"" to whom appeales
in those cases are most proper.

I know the regulation of afiiiires tov^'ards Indians or rather between them hath great difficulty ;
wherein I have lately expresst my selfe unto yow, and therefore shall trouble yow no farther, but
leave yow to yo"' owne better judgments. Yow know that my station hath been a frontier place
towards the Indians, who had too much influence upon the spiritts of the Dutch in former times,
but are now in a competent measui'e reduc'd to a better complyance in their behaviours towards
us, and have given me some testimonies of their desires to live in peace with our Nation ; for
they have made me a present of two youths, which have been tlieir prisoners a few yeares ; they
were taken in Maryland. Also they have promist to bring me another young man remaining
with them: so that though they have a warr with the English in Maryland because the English
there doe take part with their Indians, yett yow may guesse these heathens are yet desirous of
peace with the English, of which I have long since advertised the Governour of Maryland,
without any success. To conclude, I doe say again tliat in all points of yo' true interest yow
may certainly find me, Worthy Sirs

Yom- verj' faith full Servant

R. N.
To the General Court )
At Boston. I

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 173

Mr. Maverick to Secretary Arlington.

[ Trade Papers, Slate Paper Office. XVIII. 20. ]

New Yorke in America
August 25"' 1668.
Right Hon^-^

May it please yo"' Lordship to give mee leave briefly to give you an Accompt of what hath
passed in the Northern parts of New England since August 1666.

On the 6"" of that month there arrived a shipp at Boston in the government of the
Massachusetts, the Master whereof brought a pacquett from the Hon'''' Sir William Morice
directed to S'' Robert Carr and the rest of his Ma"" Commissioners in New England. In it
were inclosed letters from his Ma"' to the Governours of the 3 Collonyes which had freely
submitted to his government soon after the Commissioners arrival). In it also was inclosed a
signification of his Ma"'' pleasure concerning the Massachusetts Colony which had refused to
submitt ; commanding the Governor M" Richard Bellingham and Major Hathorne on their
allegiance to repair to England by y' first opportunity. S"" William Morice sent two of these
signed and sealed ; Ordered one of them to be delivered to the Governour & Counsell, the other
to be reserved. The next day I told the Governour that it was his Ma"" will and pleasure that
hee should call his Counsell together, unto whom (when mett) there was a message to be delivered
to them from his Ma"'. It was six weeks ere they were assembled, unto whom I delivered the
signification, and shortly after in a Generall Court it was voted that the persons sent for should
not goe : which when known, many of the considerablest persons within the government (some
of them Deputyes of that Court and Captaines of Companyes) petitioned to the Court that his
Ma"" command might be obeyed ; but in stead of granting their request they summoned them
to appeare before them, where they receiv'd a sharp reproofe for their presumption as tliey
termed it ; and when tiie day of election came, made choice of the aforesaid Bellingham for
Governour and Hathorne for a Councellor, and soe they remaine to this day.

In the afore mentioned significatiou his Ma"' declared that hee was well pleased with the
actings of his Commissioners, and expressly commaunded that noe alteration should be made in
what they had done, as to Bounds between Colonyes or otherwise, untill his pleasure were
further knowne ; and in particular the Province of Mayue is named, which y' Commissioners
on good grounds had taken from the Massachusetts, it being above twenty miles bej^ond their
North Bounds by their patent, and themselves rested satisfyed with, for above twenty years.
They also freed the inhabitants from y* command and government of y' Massachusetts, and
appointed certaine Justices of the Peace, and other officers, both civill and military, for the
governing of that Province, mitill his Ma"'= pleasure were further Imowne.

Notwithstanding all this, at a Generall Court begun at Boston on the 29"' of Apriil last they
a second time chose JP Bellingham Governour, and one of the first things hee did was the
granting a commission (under his hand and the Scale of the Colony affixed) under Major Jn"
Leverett and others to goe unto y' Province of Maine, and to turne out of office there those
appointed by the Commissioners, and to hold a Comt at Yorke in that Province in the name
and by authority of the Massachusetts, and accordingly they went, took with them both hoi-se
and foote and two Marshalls, seized forcibly on the records which have been well & exactly
there kept, under four changes of government, for neare thirty yeares, committed the Marshall
to prison, and appointed their old Marshall to officiate. It came very neare to shedding of bloud ;

174 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

but on consuk'nitidii the Justices drew up and published a Protest against their proceedings and
see remaine subject to y"= government of the INIassachusetts their professed enemyes, nntill his
]\Ia)estie shall be graciously pleased to relieve them ; for which they have by this conveyance
humbly and earnestly petitioned.

Jlay it please yC Lordi* to give mee leave to trouble you a little further. Shortly after y'=
reduceing of these parts from under the Dutch to his Ma"" obedience, the Lord Jn" Berkley and
Sir George Carterett sent over hither to take possession of a certain tract of land granted to them
by His Royal Highness out of his patent, which hath proved very prejudicial! to this place and
government. Their Bounds reach from the East side of Delaware River to the West side of
Hudsons River includeing a vast tract of the most improveablest land within His Royall Highnes
his patent. It hath taken away some Dutch villages formerly belonging to this place and not
above three or foure miles from it; the Duke hath left of his patent nothing to the West of New
Yorke, and to the East upon the iNIayne about sixten miles only, from Hudsons River whereon is
but one poore \allage. Long Island is very poore and inconsiderable, and beside the Citty there
are but two Dutch towmes more, Sopus and Albany, which lye up North on Hudsons river. I
suppose when y"" Lord Berkley had that grant, it was not thought he should come so neare
this place, nor were y'^ inconveniencyes of it known or considered.

I shall not ti-ouble yo' Lord? with further relation of matters here, since Coll Nicolls can give
you full and particular satisfaction both in this or any thing else relateing to these parts.

After his abode here foure yeares (where bee hath lived with great reputation and honour) hee
is now returning home. I must needs accompany him with this character, that hee hath done his
Ma''= & his Royall Highnes very considerable service in these parts, haveing by bis prudent
management of affaires kept persons of different judgments and of diverse nations in peace and
quietnes, dureing a time when a great part of the world was in warrs. And as to the several]
Nations of the Indyans, they were never brought into such a peaceable posture & faire
correspondence, as by his means they now are.

I feare I prove to tedious in relateing these matters, I humbly crave your excuse, soe shall
conclude and take leave to subscribe

Your LordsP*

Most humble servant
(signed) Samuel Mavericke.

Governor Lovelace to Lord Arlington.

[ Trade Papers, XV. 70. ]

Right Honora''"-

It has been a very gi-eat afliiction to nice that at my departure from England I liad not the
opportunety to waite on your Lp and receave your directions and instructions, for these parts of
America, but the indisposition of your Lop' person, having rcceaved a bruise by a fall in your
Coach, was the cheife argument that restreind mee. I iiavc since happely accomplisht my
voyadge and am now invested in the charge of his Royall Highnes teritorys, beeing the middle
position of the two distinct factions, the Papist and Puritane. I should esteeme it as most

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 11. . 175

singular favour, if your Lp would voutsafe to send mee sorame instructions how I might steere my
course, as would most advance the interest of His Ma''"' and service of His Royall Highnes my
most gracious master. Preparator}' to which, I have receaved from my worthey predecessor
Colonell Nicholls the chiu'acter that was fixt betwi.xt you, and if you please but to coramaund one
of your L' Secretaries to corespond with mee, I shall not faile to give your L? an exact accompt
(so farre as I can reach) of these parts of the world. Thus praying 3'our L? to forgive this
confident adresse, and further begging to bee taken into the number of your Lp sincere servants,
I shall allways remaine

My L^

Your L' most humble
Fort Jeanies in 1 and obedient Sei^vant

New Yoi'ke August 2S. j (signed) ' Francis Lovelace.

For the Right Honorable the L**
Arlington, Principall Secretary
to His Ma'y these, humbly.
(Endorsed) Coll. Lovelace.

Aug 2S. 6S. , -

New Yorke.

The Board of Trade to the King.

[ New- York Papers, I. "T. ] '

May it Please Y"^ Maj"

The Councell for Trade appoynted by Y"' Ma"'' takeing into Consideration, according
to your jNIa's" Listructions, the Conditions of your Maj'''^" Plantations abroad,
in order to the improuem' of Trade and increase of Navigation, and for the
further encouragement of all yo'' Mnj'""'' Subjects in their Trade and Comerce
both at home and abroad, haue receiued diverse great complaints of M''chants
& others tradeing to yo'' Maj"" Plantations, and more particularly
That of New Yorke, where, upon Examination wee find your said M'chants altogether
discouraged and withdrawing their respective Estates.

Neither doth the afores"* Complaint relate to New Yorke alone, but to Yo'' Maj""" other
Plantations of Virginia, Barbadoes and other Islands, where wee haue reason to beleeue it will
haue the like unhappy influence.

Which complaint is grounted upon a Report Comon among the Merchants, That by vertue of
an order of Your Maj''' in Councell of the 23 of Octob"' 1G67 and Passes thereupon granted by
His Royall highnes seurall ships belonging to the Dutch viz' Three or more are Authorized to
trade from Holland to New Yorke for seven years, which hath been practised for one ycare
allready, and now in a large degi-ee are preparing for a second voyage.

By which means if but 3 ships be permitted (though more are makeing ready for that trade)
Yet those three may carry as much linnen, Shooes, Stockins, Cloathes and other Comodities,
comonly carryed out of England with great advantage to this nation) as will not only suply the

176

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRirXS.

Consimiption of Your ^Inj"'" afores'' Plaiitntion of New York, Init Virginia, Barbadoes and New
England, in a great measure ; wliicli, if suftred, not only a great part of Your Maj"" Customes
but indeed tiie principle part of the plantation trade will in a short time be lost. Which Trade
so granted the Dutch to New Yorke is said to be grounded upon certain Articles for the reduction
of New Yorke to Your Maj'-'.

And particularly the G^ and 7"' Articles upon wliich your Mnj'>'='' [Councell] of Trade haue
examined the said vj"' and vij"" Articles and that Treaty, and doe not find that your Maj'''

hath any longer obligation by the said Articles, or any of them, beyond the first six months
after the rendition of the place to grant Freedom of Trade to the Dutch or any other Nation
with your subjects of New Yorke.

Neither doe wee finde that the Petition of Peter Stuivesant on behalfe of himselfe and the
rest of Your Maj'='" subjects there (as the said Petition is recited in the said order) doth so much
as desire it for the Dutch nation.

Howeuer upon that Petition an order is made that the Dutch shall haue freedom of Trade
with your Maj"" subjects of New Yorke for three shipps for seven years as aforesaid ; upon
serious Consideration whereof, and the dangerous consequence that must necessarily follow to
the Trade of England now in great measure upheld by Your Maj'''"" Plantations (and that your
Maj'y stands not obliged by the said Articles to grant any such freedome of Trade but

That it appears to us rather a mistake in the drawing of the said order made on the
aforesaid Petition, which only praying Trade for Your Maj"''' subjects of New Yorke, gains an
order thereupon for the Dutch with three Ships freely to trade with them for seven years.

Wee your Maj"" Councell of Trade in all duty present unto your most Excellent Maj^y our
humble opinion and advise. That for the reasons afores'' for the encouragem' of your English
subjects tradeing to New Yorke and the rest of Your Maj"" Plantations, and for the keeping up
the Manafactures here in England and Ireland (all which must necessarily miscarry and bee
lost if present remedy be not giuen to so great and growing a mischief. And for that the Dutch
in no termes will admitt any of Your Maj'^''" subjects to trade with any of their plantations or
shipps for which any such Passes haue been giuen or gi'anted be already prepared in Holland
for that trade. Yet if such Ship or shipps shall not be laden and dispatchd before the lO"" of this
Instant, That then no Passe or other Licences so granted, or to be granted shall be of force
after that day.

And if any shall presume from any country whatsoeuer to trade with Your Maj"^' said
Plantation of New Yorke, or any other Contrary to the Acts for Navigation and encouragement
of trade, upon any license or Pass whatsoeuer, bee or they so trading may finde no protection,
but be dealt with as by the said Laws is enacted and declared.

All which wee most humbly submitt to Your Maj'-^

Ashley.
Tho: Grey.
Tho Littleton.
Beniamin Albyi
W" Love.

Carlisle
G. Downing

B. WoRSLEY

J. Titus.
John Paige.
John Birch.

W. CoUENEYE

T. Osborne.
Henry Blount
John Shorter.
And. Riccard.
Tho. Papillon.

LONDON DOCUMBNTS : II.

177

Order in, Coancil i^roldhiting Dutch S'Ji/j)a to trade to Xcw-Ynrli:.

[ rrivy CViiucil Kcfiistcr, C. I!. II. VIII. Hi. ]

At the Court at Whitehall, the 1S"> of November, 16(iS. '

Presext — The Kixg's Mo.st Exce

His Roj-al Highess \' Duke of Yorke,
His Highness Prince Rupert,
Lord ArchP of Canterbury
Lord Keeper
Lord Privy Seale
Duke of Puckinghara
Duke of Albemarle
Duke of Ormonde
Marques of Dorchester
L"" Great Chaml)erlain
Lord Chamberlain
Earle of Bridgewater
Earle of Bathe

S'' John Duncoml

LLEXT Ma'"'"

Earle of Carlisle
Earle of Craven
Earle of Lauderdaile
Earle of Carberry
L" B"' of London
Lord Arlington
Lord Ne\vj)ort
Lord Berkley
Lord Holies
Lord Ashley
W Secy Trevor
]\P Ch'-ofy'- Dutchy
S' William Coventry

Passes for Dutch shijtps to trade to Xcw Yorlc rcvoJccd.

Whereas the Councill of Trade have represented to his Ma''' that the Merchants are nuu ii
discouraged in their Trade to New Yorke, and are withdrawing their Estates thence, by reason
of an indulgence granted to the Dutch by an Order in Councill of the 23'' of October 16G7, to
trade thither with three Shipps for seaven years, and passes obta3'ned for that purpose accordingly,
alleaging that the same will have an unhappy influence by opening a way for forrainers to trade
with the rest of his Ma'" Plantations, and preventing the exportation of the manufactures of
England, and thereby destroy his Ma'" Customs and the trade of this Kingdom which is in a
great measure upheld by the Plantations, And Whereas they further represent that his Majesty
is not obliged thereunto by the articles for y° surrender of New Yorke upon which the said
indulgence seems to be grounded, the said Articles importing only a liberty for the fest si.'?
months after the Rendition of that Plantation, And do therefore desire that the said Order of
Councill and passes thereupon granted may be revoked — Upon Serious Consideration His Ma'-^
approving of the advice and Desires of the Councill of Trade expressed in the said Representation
for securing the Trade of the Plantations according to the Acts for navigation & encouragement
of Trade, Was pleased, this day to order and Command that the said order of this Board of the
SS"* of October 1667, and all passes granted by virtue thereof to any Dutch Shipps or Vessells
to trade from Holland to New Yorke, be, and they are hereby recalled and annulled — Y^et His
Ma'" out of his Princely regard to his subjects in New Yorke who may be brought to some
distresse for want of necessarys which probably may not be siipplied them out of England this
yeare And reflecting with some clemency upon those who under the promise of tiie said passes
may have been put to charge in making ready their ships, was pleased to Ordt-r that one ship
of those now preparing in Holland for New Yorke (such as His Royall Highness tlie Duke of
Vol. in. 23

]78 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Yorke, Lord High Admii-all of England shall appoint,) shall have leave to make one voyage
thither this yeare ; And that hesides the said Shipp authorized for this one Voyage, no other
forraine shipp or shipps whatsoever shall henceforth be permitted to trade into or with the said
Phiutation at New Yorke otherwise than according to the Articles for Surrender thereof, The
said order of Couucill of 23'' of October 1GG7, or any passe or Passes thereupon granted to the
contrary notwithstanding. And it was further ordered that the Governor of New Yorke and all
otlier his Majesty's officers whom it may concerue do take notice hereof and cause the same to be
duly observed. And it was further ordered that immediate notice be given hereof to S^ William
Temple his Ma''' Ambassador in Holland, to the end that he may take care to have this, hia
Ma'^'' pleasure signified to all such as are there preparing to send shipps or goods into New
Yorke, that upon presumption of their Passes they do not proceed in their Voyage to New Yorke
otherwise than as is herein expressed.

Petition of Olive Stuyveaant Van Corilandt^ and otJiers.

[ New-Tork Tapers, I. 80. ]

To the King's IMost Excellent Maiesty

Tlie humble I'etition of Olive Stuyvesant Van Cortlant, Gerritt Slicktenhorst,
.Jacques Cousseau, Mathew Sternbergen, Nicholas de Meyer, Leysbert
Blankerts, Stoti'ell Jansen, John Jansen, Koster Van Aken, Jacob Schermer-
horu, John Van Balen, Herman Vedder, John Martens, Adrian Van llpendon,
Jeronymus Ebbing, Margarita Phillipps and Janneti de Witt, Your Ma"
sworne subjects of the Dutch Nation Iniiabitants of New Yorke in America
in behalfc of themselves, and manj' more your Ma" Loyall subjects now
resideing in New Yorke.
Hiimblij Shnceih

Tiiat upon confidence of the gracious continuation of Your Ma" Royall Graunt bearing date the
2;>"' of October l(iG7 for three Dutch Shipps yearely to Trade and Trafficke to and fiom New
Yorke with us Your Ma" subjects in those parts ; Wee did transport ourselves into Holland this
last summer upon noe other designe then the setling of our former Accompts and propagating
the Trade of those Your Ma" dominions ; and to that purpose have freighted a Shipp called
the King Charles and have shipped our goods therein, which s** shipp and niarriners are now in
Pay and were ready to set saile. But haueing to our unspeakable Greife and damage Received
by order from his R" Highnes a copy of Your Ma" Result in Counsell, bearing date the IS"" of
November 16G8 Recalling Your IMa" gracious permission aforesaid and Restrayning the number
to one only shipp lor this yeare. Wee most humbly represent to Your sacred Ma'^ That one
of the 3 permitted shipps was gone to sea before y* signification of Your Ma" pleasure arrived
in Amsterdam ; And that the shij)p King Charles with all her loading, hath layn in the Texell
many dayes ready to sett saile and now lyes upon great hasard (tlie season of y*' yeare considered)
to come to damage the shi[)ps voyage being stopt in obedience to j'our Ma" commands

Wherefore wee most humbly supplicate Your gracious Ma"" to take our ruinous condition into
yo'' princely consideration, upon w'"* depends y^ Welfare or Destruction at once of us, our

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 179

Wives and Cliildren, and that your Ma'>' will be pleased to permitt the s"* shipp y' King Cliarles
with her Goods and Cargoe fitted for that country already bought and laden to enjoy the Privilege
formerly Granted for this yeare, Notwithstanding Yo'' M*" late signification of yo' Royall
Pleasure to y" Contrary

And Yd"' Petition" shall Pray &'

Endorsed

" Petition of Oliver Stuyvesant, Van Cortlant & others
concerning sending a shipp to New Yorke. "

" Read in Councill ll"- D^ 166S "
" ordered "

Order in Council on the 'preceding Petition.

{ Council Uejfistcr, 0. R. II. VIII. 140. ]

At the Court at Whitehall the ll"- December 1G6S.

Present — The Kixg's Most Excellent Ma'"'

In Council.

Upon reading this day at the Board the humble petition of Oliver Stuyvesant, Van Cortland,
Gerrit Sliktenhorst, Jaques Couseau, and divers others, his Ma"** sworn subjects of the Dutch
nation, inhabitants of New Yorke, in America, in behalfe of themselves and many more, his
Ma''""" Loyal subjects now residing in New Yorke, setting forth that upon confidence o( the
continuation of his Ma'^'= order in Councill of the 23'''' of October 1G67, Jbr liberty tor three
ships yearly to trade to New Yorke w"" the Pet" his Ma'^'^ subjects in those parts, the Peti""
transported themselves to Holland this last summer upon noe other design than the settling
their former accompts, and propagating the Trade of those his Ma'""' dominions, to which end
they freighted a ship called the King Charles, which hath laine in the Texell many days ready
to sett saile. But the Pet" having received by order from his Royal Highness a copy of his
Ma"" result in Councill of the 18"" of November last, for recalling his Ma"*" permission and
restraining the number to one shipp this yeare, the said shipp the King Charles, was in
obedience to his Maty* Commands stopt, to the great damage of the Pet". And one of the three
shipps permitted to trade as aforesaid being gone before the signification of his Ma'^'* pleasure
arrived at Amsterdam, the Petio" most humbly prayed That their said Shipp with her
goods and Cargo fitted for the voyage aforesaid may enjoy the priviledge of his Ma'*'* said
gracious indulgence. His Ma'^" upon consideration thereof was pleased to Order in Council,
that His Royall Highness the Duke of Yorke, Lord High Admirall of England, be and he is
hereby authorized and desired to grant his Passe for the said Shipp the King Charles to make
one voyage and no more to New Yorke this yeare only, and to returne againe without any
hinderance or molestation, notwithstanding the said order of this Board of the lb"" of November
last, or any clause therein to the Contrary. And it was further Ordered by his Ma'>', that His
Royall Highness do not for the future grant any other Passe or I'asses to any Dutch Shipp or
Shipps whatsoever to trade to New Yorke.

180 NEW-VORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order hi Cuuncil permittimj two Scotch S/upv to f/o to JS\ii:-York.

[ New-Yc.rk Papers, I. flo. ]

5° April : IGGO.

^VnEREAS his R. Highnes the Duke of Yorke Lord High Adniirall of Engkuid did this day
])ropose to his ]Maj'>' in Councell that liee woukl bee pleased to giue liberty that such of His
Majesties subjects in Scotland as shalbee induced to take condicons as Planters at New Yorke
may bee permitted to transport themselves thither in vessells from Scotland and bee allowed to
make their voyages and returne in a way of Trade or to remaine at New Yorke, upon the
Acco' of y'° ffisliiug Trade or transporting the growt'tli & Manufticture of New Yorke, to the
Berbardoes or other his Maj"''* Plantacons in America; It was upon consideracon thereof
ordered by His Maj"* in Councell That his P. Highnes the Duke of Yorke Lo : High Admirall
of England, bee & bee is hereby authorized and desired to grant Passes for two Scotch Shipps,
tlie one called of about 500 tun, y' other y"" of about 250 tun to passe from

Scotland to New Yorke w"" such persons as shall desire to plant there, & to trade between the
said places as they shall haue occasion, or to remaine at New Yorke upon the Acco' of the
ilishiug trade, or for transporting the groweth & Manufacture of that place, to any his Maj""
Plantacons in America w'l'out any let, hinderance or molestacon.

Prouided that the said ships or either of them soe to bee licensed doe not by jjretence hereof
carry the Comodities of the groweth or Manafacture of New Yorke or of his Maj"" Plantacons
in an place or Territory belonginge to any tforreigne prence or state whatsoever but to his
Maj"""* Plantacons & dominions aforesaid.

Endorsed

" Farm'* of y" Customes touching y" 2 Scotch
ships permitted to Trade for New Yorke."

" Pead in Councill Ki"' Aprill l(iG9."

" Read in Councill 2:J'' Aprill 1(109."

Petition of the Fanners of //is Majesty's Customs.

[ New Yi>rk Papers, I. 94. ]

'Vo THE KiNc;'s most Excellent Ma'''

The hund)le peticon of y^ tlarnie''' of his Ma'>'= Customes.

Sheicctli

That they having taken notice of an order of Yo'' Ma''' in Councill, w"' giues Liberty to two
Scotch Sliipps without name one of y J'urthen of 000 and y' other of 250 Tun to passe from
Scotland to New Yorke w"' sucii persons as sliall desire to plant there, or to trade betweene y*
said places, or to remaine at New Yorke upon y* account of y* ffishing Trade k," By which
they do apprehend that it is Yo'' Ma" intention that these ships shall not enjoy any priviledge

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 181

contrary to tlie law, I'urtlier then to convey Passengers from Scotland to y*^ Plantacons, and there
to entertepie an Intercourse of Trade amongst y*^ said Plantacons. But finding some Ambiguous
words, especially y° last clause which instead of a Provisoe of Restraint seemes to interpret y^
meaning of y" ord'' to be that they may not onely trade with y" Plantacions, but with any other
His Ma^ dominions not excepting Scotland, And having also further Cause to beleive that
though their pretensions be very smooth & innocent, yet the end thereof is to settle a Trade
betwixt y° Plantations & Scotland, and that it wilbe in the power of sucii two ships nnd""
pretext of this Order to withrawe from y* Revenue of y° Customes in England aboue 7000'' per
annum, & deface three Acts of Parliament made in direct opposition to it.

They therefore humbly supplicate Yo"" Ma'^ to revoke y" said ord'' But if it be yo""
Ma" pleasure to suffer such ships to go thither, that then it may be with this
condicon. That they first touch in some port of England, and there pay
custome for what goods they carry out, & enter into bond with good security,
as y' Law hath directed, not to carry any goods to any other place than
England or y* plantations aforesaid, for otherwise they will bee in a more
free & unlimited Condicon, than any free built shipp of England, and out of
y' reach of any English Law, And they shall humbly pray &■=

Ex'

Richard Browne.

" Read 21"> of Aprill 1669 "

" Read in Councell 23 Aprill. 1669."

Reply to tli^ Petition of tlie Farmers' of tlie CuMomfi.

[ Xew-Tork Papers I. 92. ]

Th Reply to the Peticon of the Farm" of Yo'' Ma''''' Customes.

That the whole designe of his Royall Highnesse in proposing and obtaining from Yo'' Ma"'' in
Councill a permission for two Scotch Shipps to Trade to New Yorke and transport Planters
tiiither, is meerly for the generallgood of those Yo"" Ma'^''' late acquired Dominions, however Yo""
Ma"*"' ffarmers of the Customes pretend they may bee dampnifyed Seaven thousand poundes a
a yeare, and the breach of three Acts of Parliament.

Wee acknowledge that by those Acts English built shipps only are permitted to trade in yo'
Ma"*' plantacons. Yet in a Provisoe of the Act for Encouragement of Trade, certain merchandize
from Scotland and Ireland are tollerated and may be shipt in either Kingdome in Enghsh built
ships see that the maine obstacle and objection lyes upon the ships being Scotch shipps, and not
npon the voyage, Passengers or Planters as Scotchmen, nor upon such accomodation of severall
sorts of necessaryes for the use of any number of considerable planters.

Wee deny the pretended damage, for much lesse principall in goods will yearly drive and
carry on the Trade in those Parts, and that the farmers themselves with time may be convinct
of our just intentions, if Yo' Ma"' see cause to ordaine wee will (as they desire) give securitie

182 NEW-YORK COLUNIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

according to Law, not to cany or return witli any goods to any other place tlian England or the
Plantacons aforeisaid paying the Customes as the law directs.

Your Ma"' well knowes that some of yo'' ports in Scotland lye more comodious for such
Voyage to the West, than most of Yo'' ports in the Channell, soe that noe Scotch Shipp can
possibly (without ruyne to the Adventui-ers) engage in her outward bound Voyage, to touch in
an English port, because the Passengers, Planters and freight of Shipp will necessarily Eate up
all the proffitt, if not wholly destroy the Voyage by demurrage upon contrary windes or other
accedentall Impediments.

As to the burthen of the shipps wee represent to Yo"' Ma''" the smaller shipps will be of noe
great use to a plantacOn which affords Horses, Deale Boards, Pipe Staves, Timber fframes,
Houses, all sort of prouisions being bulky goods for Trade to Barbados, with the rest of Yo''
Ma''*'' Leward Islands, besides that the returne of such shipps into the Ports of England will
be more acceptable (if laden) to the ftarmer than smaller shipps.

Your Ma''" Royal! Progenitors and Yo'' selfe have to other plantacons given temporary
Exemptions from customs, by which those Plantacons are become great and plentifull, and wee
humbly represent that New' Yorke ■«'"" its dependencyes stand in as much neede of tlie like
grace from Yo'' Ma''" and yet wee only importune Yo'' Ma"'^ to continue the priviledge for those
two Scotch Shipps, to make their Voyage without touching in England, outward bound, when
brought into any English Port will not yeild to the ffarmers any considerable proffitt worthy the
naming, all necessaryes to planters being noe wise lyable to pay Customes.

Lastly wee propose to yo'' Ma''' for the security and w-elfaire of those Plantacons in great
measure seated with Dutch, Swedes and ffenns that such of Yo'' Ma''" borne subjects as desire
to be transported thither may not want Yo'' Royall encouragement, by which meanes the
numbers of Yo'' ffbrraigne subjects, may in a short time be ballauced, if not exceeded by Yc
native subjects.

Mr. Maverick to Colonel Kicolls.

[ Sew Fnglan.!, I. 8De. J

Sir

I have lately written to you by way of Boston and Virginia, giveing you an accompt briefly
how things stand in y" northern parts, as how those of y'' Massachusetts have unranckled all
that was done in the Province of Maine ; altiiough His Ma"" expressly commanded that nothing
should be altered uutill his pleasure were further known. They have further proceeded in
committing Major Phillips and others to prison for receiving commissions from y" Comissioners
to be Justices of y" Peace and Military Officers. They have given out that if they could take
any of those that had signed those commissions they would punish them severely ; soe that as
the case stands at present it will not be safe for mee to goe thither. Not long since they sent a
party of horse to demand tribute of the Naragansett Sachems, but they payed them not, telling
them they would pay King Charles and none else.

Now give mee leave to acquaint you a little how things goe heere at Yorke. Tryalls have
been made severall times this spring for cod fish, w"" very good success ; a small ketch sent out

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 183

by y^ Goveniour hath found severall good fishing bancks ; amongst y' rest one not above 2 or
3 leagues from Sandy Hook ou which in a few houres 4 men took 11 or 12 hundred excellent
good Codd the last time they were out, and most of y'' vessells that goe to and from Virginia
take good quantityes. That vessell is to goe from Newfound Land to gett fishermen lines
hookes and other necessaryes for fishing : I doubt not but this Coast will afford fish in
abundance.

Ou y'^ East end of Long Island there were 12 or 1-3 whales taken before y^ end of March, and
what since wee heare not ; here are dayly some seen in the very harbour, sometimes within
Nutt Island. Out of the Pinnace the other week they struck two, but lost both, the iron broke
in one, the other broke the warpe. The Goveniour hath encouraged some to follow this designe.
Two shallops made for itt, but as yett wee doe not heare of any they have gotten.

The Governour with some Partners is building a ship of 120 tunn, by Thomas Hall's house ;
she is well onward and may be finished in August ; another of 60 or 70 tunn is building at
Gravesend.

Nutt Island, by y^ makeing of a garden and planting of severall walkes of fruite trees on it,
is made a very pleasant place.

The Old House is pulling downe, W^ prooves soe exceedingly defective above what could be
imagined, that I thinke it must down to the bottome, and will proove a tedious and chargeable
piece of worke.

There is good correspondence kept between the English and Dutch, and to keep it the
closer, sixteen (ten Dutch and 6 English) have had a constant meetting at each others houses in
turnes, twice every week in winter, and now in summer once ; they meet at six at night and
part about eight or nine.

There are severall people in and about Boston W^*" have inclination to come hither and live;
one came hither this winter and hath bought five houses, and I have been desired to look out
for some houses for some friends.

New England men have found the way hither againe from Virginia. This week past were
here at one time nine vessells, which brought tobacco and sold it here ; some of them are
returned to Virginia for more, others gone and goeing to Boston with come, besides severall
Dutch sloops gone there also and more to goe.

Sir. I have, I am afraid, been over tedious, which I pray excuse. I shall ever remaiue

Your affectionate Friend & Sei"vant

Samuell Mavericke.

This is a copy of what I wrote to you by way of Holland in Aprill.

Sir.

By this you may please to take notice that M' Laurence is arrived here and hath not brought
one line from you ; which is very strange to mee, who have formerly had y*' happiness soe
frequently to heare from you in writeing.

By letters lately received from Boston I am informed how exceedingly they boast of the
gratious letters they have received from His Ma"* and of his kinde acceptance of the Masts they
sent him, as also of the provision they sent to the Fleet at Barbados. I am sure you know
that the masts and provision were paid for by a rate made and levyed on all the inhabitants,
of w'^'' eight parts in ten are His Ma"'" loyall subjects and would voluntarily have done twice as

184 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

iiiucli had tliose which were sent for been gone for England. Tliat k)_yall partye, whicli groanes
under the burthen of the Massacliusett's government, now despaire of reliefe, as by I'requent
letters from all parts I am informed.

Those ill the Province of Mayne since they seized on their records and taken them againe
under their government, are in exceeding bondage, and most earnestly desire you to endeavour
to purchase their freedome.

llow they have lately acted in y"" King's Province you will see by a letter I lately received
i'roin INI"' Corton which I send herein enclosed.

iS'' It grieves mee exceedingly to see that I should live to see His IMa"" loyall subjects and
my ancient friends enslaved, as now they are ; my whole aime was (in expending soe much time
and money) only to have procured for them some freedome ; but now they are left in a fan-
worse condition then wee found them. I doubt not but they have by w-ay of Boston, petitioned
to His Ma''° and craved your assistance, and I in their behalfe humbly begg it of you. This
may come to yo"' hands if not intercepted.

The shipp in building goes on slowly, soe doth the House ; one third of y'' old House is left
out & yett the rest not mounted higher then the second floore. I wish your advice had been
attended unto.

Many from Barmoodas and Barbadoes intend to remove hither ; some are come as Agents &
liave already bought some houses and plantations. M'' Davenport hath made such a rent in the
Church of Boston as will never be reconciled ; another great church is erecting for the
Dissenters, and some will remoove.

S'' I hope in y^ middest of multiplicity of business 3^ou will not forgett what I have desired you
to doe for me. I assure you since I came over in this imploy I never receiv'd or gott, directly
or indirectly to y" valine of sixpence, one horse excepted, w'''' M"' Winthrop presented mee'w"'
amongst y' rest. And what I had by His Ma"" order, I have spent as much since I came over,
and foure hundred pounds besides in England in prosecution of this designe. I leave it to you
not doubting of your care for mee. If any course be taken for reducement of the Massachusetts,
I hope you will not leave mee out, as one (though unworthy) that may be employed in that
designe. I have bene over tedious w"*" I pray excuse, and be assured I am and ever shall
remaine

Your affectionate P'riend
& Servant

Samuell Mavericke.

New Yorke July o'" KiGl).

Eor Coll. Pichard Niccolls one
of the Groomes of His Royall
Highness' Bed-Chamber, these,

Whitehall.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 185

J//'. 3Iare)-lch to Colonel JSlcoll-s:

[New England, I. 3'.»J. ]

Ever honored Sir.

May it please yow to take notice that yo" of 12"" July I receaved, for w"^"" I humbly thanke
yow as alsoe for the favo"' yow have beene pleased to show nie iu procuring for me from His
Royall Highnesse the guilt of the house in the Broadway. I beseech yow when yow see a fitt
opportunity p''sent my most humble service to His Koyall Higlmes with many thanks for that
his favor towards me, and I assm-e it wilbe a greate rejoycing to me if (yett before I die) I may
be any wayes ser\asable to His Ma"^ or his Royall Higlmes in these p'"ts, or any where else.

Yow were pleased to infonne me that yow have made some jjrogresse tending to the releife
of o"' poore freinds in N. EngP but cannot yet bring it to issue soe nnich desired by yo"' selfe &
them. In their behalfe I humblie beseech j^ow to proceed in it, and am verrj- sorrie y' Coll :
Cartwrite cannot be with yow to assist iu it. I have sent coppies of some p't of yo'' letter to
keepe np what may be theire drooping spiritts for the p''sent, the sad complaints w"='' freequently
come from them to mee I shall not trouble yow with repeating now. Yow know well in what
bondage they live, and it greeves me to the hart to consider that they should be now in a farr
worse condition then wee found them in. What yow writ conserning John Scot I beleeve
every perticular.

The ship was launched 14 dayes since and is a verry stronge and handsome vessell, but costly ;
she is named the Good Fame, of New Yorke. The house is come to covering ; it is a handsome
fabricke and wel contrived, but mens wages soe high as that it cannot be exspected it should
come of cheape. The flux, agues, and fevers, have much rained, both in cittie and country, &
many dead, but not yett soe many as last yeare. The like is all N. Engl'' over, espetially about
Boston, where have dyed verry many and amongst the rest three very spetiall freinds of mine,
well wishers to N. Yorke, RP Downe my landlord, ]\r Boyse. M'' Tobias Payne, and whoe else
since I know not. S' I shall omit noe oportunity of writing to 3'ow, and I beseech yow be
assured y' I shall ever endeavo"' to approve myselfe to be

Yo"" affectionate freind & servant

Samueljl Mavericke.

N. Yorke 1-5"" Octo-- G9.

Vol. UI. a4

ISO NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

tSerrdary JVicoUv to Colonel ^iroJJ-9.

[New- York Papers, I. 90.]

Nt'w Vorke on Mnulintaiis Isliind
in America Dec. 31. 1009.
Hon'"''" Sir

'['here goeing a vessel! directly from this Port bound for England and so I'or Holland I thought
it my duty to pay you my acknowledgment in a line or two. It is but two or three dayes since
M"' Boone amved by the way of Virginia who made us all glad in bringing the good newes of
yo'' health cSc welfare ; The Scotch shipp wee haue so long expected, & that you please to
mention, is not yet arrived, but probably will not bee much longer from us, if it please God sliee
be safe.

Here is nothing of newes worthy the imparting to yo'' honor, all tilings are quiet, onely there
was a silly intention of an Insurrection amongst the Finns at Delaware, but the Ringleaders
being surprized by the officers there, tlieir designe was broken ; They pretended an Expectacon
of some Swedish Sliips to come and reduce that place. It was the (Governors pleasure to send
mee there to make Enquiry into the Matter, from whence I returned the beginning of Christmas
weeke, some fewe days before I came to Delaware M"' White the Surveyor Gen" of Maryland
had beene there to lay clayme to all the West side of Delaware River as belonging to the Lord
Baltimore, They had sent persons also to exercise their Jurisdiction at the Hoare Kill, but
none either there or in Delawai-e River will submitt to it, untill the matter be decided in
England, which you are pleased to intimate will bee in some short Tyme. The Governo'' hath
sent the Originall Claynie made by M'' White now for England & by the next intends to remitt
the whole proceeding about the Finns.

S' if my last letter came to Yo'' Hono'^ hands wherein I did beg a boone, I humbly beseech
yon to put the best construction upon it, If you shall please to judge my request reasonable, as
you haue been my kind master and patron ever since I had the happinesse to haue relacun to
you, so will you lay a further obligacon, W'' shall alwayes be returned with gratefull
acknowledgm'% as long as I Hue ; Howeuer if it bee not thought titt for mee I shall rest
contented, if you please in some measure to continue mee in y'' good grace, w'^'' I shall bono'
& cherish, while I am with atfectionate Respect, Hon'''^ Sir,

Your ever faithfull

& most humble Servant

Matthias Nicolls.

These

To Richard Nicolls Esq' one of the Groomes of the
Bedchamber to his R. H' the Duke of Yorke
present.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : II. 187

Petition of the Common. Council of JVeio-York-

i Xi-w-York Papers, I. 127. ]

To his R. H' James Duke of Yorke &'

The Humble petition of the INIaior and Aldermen of New Yorke, in behalfe of
themselves and the Rest of the Inhabitants of this place.

HamUij S/itwcth -

That your petitioners being for the most part Dutch borne (but now His Ma"" faithful]
and loyal subjects) upon the surrender by the Articles of agreem' were promised free
trafficque and equall priuiledge as any of y'' Ma''" subjects, and some yeares since the
surrender wee haue had a free trade for holland payeinge the Customes as fonnerlye which did
encouradge most of y' dutch nation to remaine, and uppon the happy peace betweene his Ma"*
and the states of holland it was in the Articles specified in point of trade accordinge to the Acts
of parliament and other denomination, and fearinge those Articles might putt in question the
freedome of trade here did make addresse that wee might haue three pennissionary shipps to
trade from Holland to this place (payenge his Ma"" customes) for seuen yeares, which was
graunted by his Ma''*^ and his hono'''^ Couusell and wee did enjoy the benefitt that yeare to
the gi-eat eucouragment of the place, and paid some considerable valine in customes towards
the defrayeinge the charge of the Garrison, but since by what information wee know not the three
permission shipps are forbidden by his Ma"^ and his hono'''^ Counsell w'^ wee most wiUing
submitt unto

Our humble request to y"" R. ff that wee may haue a free trade from this porte to holland
and from holland to this accordinge to seuerall acts of parliam' w"^ is not denied to any of his
Ma"" Subjects, touchinge in some porte in England as they come from Holland, and payenge
liis Ma"" Customes there as also touchinge in England as they goe for holland, and that we
may bring the comodities of holland for y' trade of y' Indians, which cannot be so well made
in England, and if prohibited w"'out doubt in a short time, will cause all the trade for Cannada,
where they wilbe furnished w''*" these dutch duffles, and blancoates w"''' are scrupled to be
brought into England sayenge it is cloath and consequently forbidden to come from holland.

May it please Y' R. H. it cannot be called cloath, it is worse than a sorte called wadmoll w'""
daily comes from some part of holland, and not euer worne by an Christians only by the Indians,
soe that if the farmers of his Ma"" Customes may but haue an order to receaue y*" Customes at
vallue it would keepe y* trade w""!!! yo'' R. H' territories and releiue yo'' petitioners.

Endorsed

" Coppy of y' ffarmer's letter to y* Collector at Ports™"" "

188 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Hejwrt on ihe State of tlie Province of New - Yorlc.

i New-York Papers, I. 3il. ]

Answers to the severall Queeries relating to the Planters in the Territories of his
11. H's the Duke of Yorke in America.

1" The Governour and Councell with the High Sheriffe & the Justices of the Peace in the
(^ourt of the Geuerall Assizes haue the supreame Power of making, altering, and aholishing
any Laws in this Government. The Country Sessions are held by Justices upon the bench,
Particidar Town Courts by a Constable and Eight Overseers, The City Court of N. Yorke by a
Mayor and Aldermen. All causes tried by Juries.

2'"^ The land is naturally apt to produce Corne & Cattle so that tlie severall proportions or
dividents of Land are alwaies allowed with respect to the nuudjers of the planters, what they
are able to manage, and in w' time to accomplish their undertaking, the feedof Cattell is free in
Commonage to all Towneships, The Lots of meadow or Corne Ground are peculiar to each
Planter.

3''<' The Tenure of Lands is derived from his \l. IP who gives and grauuts lands to Planters
as their freehold for ever, they paying the customary Kates and Duties with others towards the
defraying of Publique Charges. The highest Rent or acknowledgment of his R. H* will be one
penny p'' acre for Lands purchased by his R. H% the least two shillings sixepence for each
hundred acres, whereof the Planters themselves are purchasers from the Ind3'ans.

4 The Governour gives liberty to Planters to Hnd out and bu)' lands from the Indians where
it pleaseth best the Planters but the seating of Towns together is necessary in these parts of
America, especially upon the Maine Land.

5. Liberty of Conscience is graunted and assured with the same Provisoe exprest in the
Queerie.

6. Liberty of ffishing & fowling is free to all b}^ the Patent.

7. All Causes are tried by Juries, wo Lawes contrary to the Lawes of England. Souldyers
onely are tryable by a Court Marshall, and none others except in Cases of suddain invasion,
mutiny or Rebellion, as his Ma''""^ Lieutenants in any of his Countries of England may or ought
to exercise.

S"" As to this point there is no taxe, toledge, Impost or Custome payable upon the Planters
upon Corne or Cattle : the country at present hath little other product, the Rate for Puljlicke
charges was agreed imto in a generall Assembly, and is now managed by the Governour his
Councell & the Justices in the Court of assizes to that onely behoofe.

9"" The obtaining all tliese Priviledges is long since recomended to his R. H* as the most
jiecessary encouragement to these his Territories whereof a good answer is expected.

10"' Every man who desires to trade for flurrs, at his request hath liberty so to doe.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 189

Governor LovelmSs Guarantee of a Salary for a Minister. ^^

[New- York Papers, I. !)>!.]

Whereas the Mayo'' & Aldermen of this Citty Received a Petition from y^ Elders and
Deacons of y* church wherein they desire that some care may be taken for y* siipplye of this
place, w"" an able and Orthodox Minister, of w'^'' they are at present wholly destitute,
Whereupon they made their Addresses unto me by way of Request, That for y« better
Encouragem' of such a person to come out of Holland to resyde here I would vouchsafe on y*
behalfe of myselfe & successo"' y^ Gouerno"' of theise His Royall Highnesse Territorys to promise
That such Minisf shall receive a Competent Sallary or Allowance for his Exercising y'
Ministerial! fimction. They y" said RIayo'' & Aldermen liauing engaged to cause the said Sallary
to be raysed & levyed annually upon y^ Inhabitants of y^ Citty and parts adjacent w^'in their
libertyes. Upon y' Request & Conditions aforemenconed I doe by this Rublique Act manifest &
declare That whensoeuer such a Minister shall come ouer to this Citty & undertake the charge
aforementioned I shall take care that there shall be duely and justly paid unto y"" said Minisf
or his ord"' y= vallue of one thousand Guild'' Hollands Money each yeare, & likewise that he shall
haue y* accommodation of a Convenient dwelling house Rent free, together with his provision
of flSre wood gratis. — Given und'' my hand & Sealed w"* y" seale of y'^ Province at ftbrt James
in New Yorke this 28"' day of June 1G70.

This is a Duplicate of y*^ Originall taken out of y* Records

Francis Louelace.

Examined by me

Matthias Nicolls Seer''

Governor Lovelace to Secretary Williamson.

[ New- York Miscellany Bundle, Stale Pai'cr Olliee. ]

Deare Sir,

If to bee ingi-atefuU for reall favour receaved had beene always accompted a high Crime, the
not accnowledging of them, must needes bee greater, since the latter depends on our owne
wills, the former oftentymes on fortune. Perhaps I may have suflered in your good opinion,
that I have not with that zeale mentaind our coiTespondency, as you friendly invited mee too,
but when you shall understand, how slow our Couveighance is like the production of EUephats
once allmost in 2 yeares, it will not then seeme strange you have not all this while recaved a
letter from mee, though 1 must constantly averre I sent 2 but the uncertainety of our vessells
touching in theire most convenient port makes letters oftenly to become abortive.

I cannot but acknowledge your high civilety to mee, for a remembrance, to affourd us, what
is acted on the stage of Brittany, if you did but know in what darkness wee live, as if wee
liad as well crost Lethe, as the Athlantiq occean, so that the effects are commonly past with you,
before the causes arrive us, you could not but take compassion on us, and at your leisui-e (vvliich

igy NEW-YORK CULONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

if anv) solace us, with wliat iiewes is stirring, for wee love the sound of Greeke thougli wee
understand it not ; and yet I must blame myself, so confidently, to beg that of you, which I
cannot hope of a repayment again ; if a disorderd dreame would serve the turne, I could then
tell you (and truly too) that an Indian King Agapou by name (and of power enough)
takino- the aire in his Ginidelo, (but with us knowne by the name of a Canoe) little more than
his length, and not halle his breatli, with his cargo of about 2 pecks of Oysters, was intercepted
l)y a strong party of the Enemy ; in Europe it would have beene called 7 thousand, but here it
goes but for 4 men, 2 weomen and a boy, scares on tliis Monarch brings him to theire Castle,
first bites of all ins nailes, next his eares, and then torter him to death with those excjuesite
torments that Plalacis' invention was but a fleabite to it, 4 dayes hee was a dying, yet as long
as hee had breath would call for a pipe, and threaten a revenge, this hapned about 6. weekes
since ; but that which comes neare to us is the incroachment of the French in Canada, His
Catholique Maj'y most profusely sends legionary Souldiers theather, 500 annually is an ordinary
recruite, so that it is feard when hee feels a pertinent opportunely, he will attempt to disturbe
His Maj'-" Plantations lieere, to which his souldiers, will bee easely invited out of hopes to bee
in the sunshine, they being lockt up generally for 3 quarters of tlie yeare ; it ware well to liave
an eye over theire motion in Europe. By the next I shall infonne you more having some
spies amongst them, a small party of Jesuites consisting of 4 besides theire servants, in all 11.
have settled themselves on this side the Lake of Irecoies, they pretent it is no more but to
advance the Kingdom of Christ, when it is to bee suspected, it is rather the Kingdome of his
jMost Christian Maj*^". I shall do all heere to discover his designes, and it ware necessary to
have an inspection over him at home. This at present is all, wortbey your knowledge when
any further opportuuety will open the dore to you, shall not fade to enter it, and further
demonstrate the sinceare service and all'ection I owe to,

yir,
Your most obleiged humble servant

FUAN. LolELACE.

Fort James on the Island of Mawliacans
3'' of October 1G70.

His Maje.stij'H Warrant for enlarging the Council of Plantation.

[ TraJc rapcrs, Stale Paper Office. XIX. 85. ]

Chaulus R.

Our Will and ])leasure it that you forthwith prepare a Pill fitt for our Royall Signalun;
in these words following viz' Charles tlu^ Second by the Grace of God, King of England
Scotland France and li-eland. Defender of the Faitii &c To our most deare and entirely
beloved brother James Duke of Yorke oure High Admirall of England, our deare and
entirely beloved cosin I'rince Rupert, our right trusty & right well beloved cosin and
Counceller George Duke of Buckingham Master of our Horse, our right trusty and well

' Pliulai is ? — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 191

beloved cosin & Couiicellei" James Duke of Ornioiul Lord Steward of our Household, our right
trusty and welbeloved eosin & couneellor John Earle of Landerdaill sole Secretary of State for
our kingdom of Scotland, & to our Kight trust}' & well beloved Thomas Lord Culpeper, and to
our trusty and well beloved John Evelyn, Esq"' Greeting : — Whereas Wee by pur commission
under the Great Scale of England bearing date tbe 30"" day of July in the aS"" yeare of Our
lieign did thereby constitute and appoint our right trusty and right welbeloved cosin &
counciller Edward Earle of Sandwich, our right trust and well beloved lUchard Lord Gorges
and William Lord Allington om- trusty and well beloved Thomas Grey and Henry Brouncker
Esq" Sir Humphrey Winch Ku' & Baronet, Sir John Finch Kn* Edniond Waller, Henry
Slingsby, and Silas Titus Esq" to be our Councell for Foreign Plantacons, And whereas We
did in & by our said Commission declare that for the better assistance of our said Councell in
all their debates and that the resolucons thereof might be of greater weight & esteem when
they should come to be published, tliat it should & might be lawhill to & for the Chancellor
or Keeper of our Great Scale of England for the time being, the Lord Treasurer or Conmiissioners
of our Treasury for the time being, tlie Chancellor of our Exchequer lor the time being, our
Principall Secretaries of State for the time being, or any of them irom time to time, and at all
times then after as often as they should please to enter into the said Councell, and to be present
at all the debates thereof and to give such vote and opinion in all the matters to be then & there
propounded as they should think htt, & to be most conducing to our service. And whereas We
did thereby further grant declare and ordain, that the proceedings of our said Councell might
receive no delay by the absence of any of the members thereof, that any five of the said
Councell should be a quorum, whereof the President or Secretary should alwaies be one unless
the Lord Keeper, Lord Treasurer, Commissioners of the Treasury or Chancellor of the
Exchequer or the Principall Secretaries of State for the time being or some one of them should
be present; in which case they or any one of them together with four others of the said
Councell are thereby declared to be a Quorum in the absence of the said President & Secretary
or of any other members of the said Councell. And We did further in and by our said
Commission declare that no person should be admitted to sit and vote in our said Councell
untill he had taken the Oath in the said Commission menconed ; as in & by the said Commission
amongst diverse other things therein contained, more at large may appeare. Know yee that
Wee for divers great & weighty causes & consideracons Us hereunto especially moving & tor
the better dispatch of the ati'aires of our said Councell doe hereby declare our will & pleasure to
bee, that it shall and may be lawful to & for you our most deare Brother the Duke of Yorke,
Prince Rupei't, George Duke of Buckingham, James Duke of Ormond, John Earle of
Landerdaill, Thomas Lord Culpeper or any of you from time to time and at all times hereafter
as often as you shall please to enter into the said Councell of Plantacons and to be present at
all the debates thereof, and to give such vote and opinion in all the matters to be then & there
propounded as you shall think fitt and to be most conducing to our service. And Wee doe
hereby further declare that if it shall happen that you our said most deare Brother, Prince
Rupert, George Duke of Buckingham, James Duke of Omiond or the said John Earle of
Landerdaill Thomas Lord Culpeper, or some or one of you shall be present, then you or any
of you together with foure others of the said Councell shall be and are hereby declared to bee
a Quorum ; and if none of you shall be present then any five of the members of the said
Councell shall be and are hereby declared to be a Quorum, any thing in the before recited
Coniission or in these presents contained to the contrary notwithstanding. And our further will

ig2 NE^V-YOKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and plensiire is, that the Oath in & b_y the said recited Commission to be given to all persons
before they bee admitted to sit in tlie said Conncell of Plantations shall not be tendered to you
our said dearest Brother, nor to Prince Rupert, but the same Oath shall be tendred to and taken
1)V vou the said George Duke of Buckingham, James Duke of Ormond & John Earle of
Lauderdaill & Thomas Lord Culpeper, before you or any of you be admitted to have any vote
in our said Councell of Foreign Plantacon. And Wee doe hereby further declare, that you and
every of you shall have the same powers priviledges & authorities to all intents & purposes
whatsoever as were either granted or inti'ndrd to be gi'anted by the said recited Commission to
the said Lord Keeper or Lord Treasurer or Commissioners of our Treasury, or the Chancellor of
our Exchequer or our Principall Secretaries of State for the time being, or to any or eitlier of them.
And further Know Yee that Wee reposing speciall trust & confidence in tlie ability industry
fidelity and prudent circumspection of you the said John Evelyn have constituted established and
appointed and by these presents doe constitute establish and appoint you the said John Evelyn
to be one of our standing Councell for all the affaires w'^ doe or may concern any of our Foreign
Plantations Colonies or Dominions scitunte lying aiul being in any part of America or in the
Ocean lying between this and tlie mayne land of America, or in any part of the Bay of Mexico or
upon the Coast of Guiana or within any of tluit circuit of the globe that is generally knowne or
called by the name of tlie West Indies, whether the said plantations, countries, & territories be
innnediately held by Us or held by any other of Ts, by vertue of any charters graunts or letters
Patents thereof already made or granted, and of all other our Forreign Plantations Colonies &
Dominions (our town citty and garrison of Tangier only excepted) And Wee doe hereby further
grant unto you the said John Evelyn ail such powers priviledges liberties and authorities as in &
by the said recited Commission are particularly meueoned to be granted to the said I'^lward Earle
of Sandwich, Richard Lord Gorges, William Lord Alliugton Thomas Grey Henry Brouncker Sir
Humphrey Winch S"" John Finch, Ednuuid Waller Henry Slingesby & Silas Titus and in as
large and ample manner to all intents & purjioses whatsoever. And whereas Wee by our
letters patents under our (Ireat Scale of England, bearing date the day of in the i'J""

year of our reigne for the consideracons therein menconed did give and grant unto the said
Edward Earle of Sandwich as President of our said Councell the yearly sume of seaven
hundred pounds per annum, and to every member of the said Councell the severall yearly sume
of five hundred pounds apiece to be quarterly paid out of our Exchequer during such time as
they & every of them should continue to serve us in our said Councell as in and by the said
letters patents whereunto reference being had may more at large appeare. Know Yee that Wee
for & in consideracon of the good & faithful! services heretofore done and hereafter to be done
by you the said John Evelyn and for diverse other good causes and consideracons Us hereunto
especially moveing, of our speciall grace certain knowledge & meer mocon have given and
granted and by these presents for us our heires & successors doe give and grant unto you the
said John Evelyn the yearly sume of five hundred pounds to bee from time to time paid out of
sucli of our treasure as shall from time to time be remaining in the receipt of our Exchequer,
To have hold enjoy & yearly to receive and perceive the said allowance or sallary of five
hundred pounds per Annum unto the said John Evelyn and his assignes dm-ing such time as he
shall continue to serve us as a member of our said Councell out of the treasure of Us, our
heires & successors at the receipt of our Exchequer at Westminster by the hands of our Lords
Commissioners of our Treasury Treasurer Chancellor Under Treasurer Chamberlaines Barons
and other the officers & ministers of Us our iieires & successors there for the time being at the

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 193

foiire most usual! Feasts in the yeare, tliat is to say, at tiie Feasts of the Auuunciacoii of the
Blessed Virgin Maiy, St Jolni the Baptist, S' Michaell the Archangel!, and tlie Birth of our
Lord God, by even & equall porcons quarterly to be paid, the first payment to commence and
be accounted from the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the year of our
Lord God one tliousand six hundred and seaventy one. And Wee doe hereby for Us our
heires and successors require command and autliorize the Lords Commissioners of our Treasury,
Treasurer Cliancellor Under Treasurer Chamberlaines & Barons and all other the officers
& ministers of our said Exchequer and of the Receipt there for the time being to it shall
or may appertaine to pay and deliver or cause to be paid and delivered unto the said John
Evelyn or his assignes the said sume of five hundred pounds per annum so as aforesaid hereby
granted, and also to give full allowance thereof according to the true meaning of these presents.
And the.se our Letters Patents or the enrollement thereof shall he unto all & every the officers
of our said Exchequer respectively for the doing and performing of all and singular the premisses
as aforesaid, according to the true intent and meaning of these presents a good and suflicient
Warrant & discharge, any order direction command or restriction to the contrary notwithstanding
Allthough express mention Sc" Given at Our Court at Whitehall the 20"' day of March 1670.

By His Ma"" Command

ArLINGTOiX.

To Our Attorney Generall.

Journal and Belatioii of a Keio Discovery in Western Virginia. ,

[ riantatioiia General Papers, I. 21. ]

The Journal & Relation of a New Discovery made behind the Apuleian
, JNIountains to the West of Virginia.

A Commission being granted by the Hon"''* Mayor Gen' Wood for y' fiudeing out of the
Ebbing and flowing of y= water behinde the Movmtains in order to the Discovery of the South
Sea

Thomas Batts,' Thomas Wooih^, Robert Fallam accompanied with Perecute a great Man of
the Apomatock Lidians,^ and Ja6k Nesan formerly servant to Maj'' Geueral Wood's w"" 5 horses
sett forward from the Apomatock Town in Virginia about Eight of the clock in the morning,
being Fryday Sei^" 1" 1671, that day they travelled about 40 miles, tooke up their quarters and
found they had travelled from the Okenechee path'' due West.

' There is a brief account of tliis Tour in Beverly's History of Viryinia, London, 1722, p. 62, wherein the Commander of
the party is called Captain Henry Batt. — Ed.

2 A tribe inhabiting the south side of James River, where it has left its name to a tributary of the latter, called tlie
Appomatox. Their country is represented to have come to King Powhattan by inlieritance. They numbereil 50 warriors
in 1669, but became extinct in or about 1720. {Captain Smith's True Travels, Richmond, 1819, i, 1 12 ; Beverly's History of
Virginia, p. 199; Jefferson's Notes, Boston, 1801, Table, pp. 138, 139.) — Ed.

2 This path led from Petersburg!), Virginia, to Augusta, Georgia. It is laid dowu on Mitchell's Map, London. 1755.
Lawso.v, Surveyor-General of North Carolina, who was afterwards murdered by the Tuscaroras, travelled it in 1701 from the
Santee to the Pamlico River, and has described the country and its Indian inhabitants, in his Journal. (Lawson's History of
Carolina, London, 1714.) — Ed.

Vol. in. 25

194 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

.Sep'"' i!'' That (biy they travelled ubuut 45 miles and caiuc to their (luarters at riuuset and
tbuiid they were to the Nore ofy*-" West.

»Sep'"' 3** They traveled a W and by S. course and about 3 of the Clock came to a great
iSwamp a mile and a halfe or two miles over and very difficult to pass, they led their horses over,
and waded twice through a run emptying itselfe into lloanoke River, after tliey were over they
went N. W. and so came round, and tooke up their cpiarters W. this day they went 40miles good.

Sep'"" 4"' Al)out 2 of the Clock they arrived at the Sapong Town,' they traveled S. and by
W. course till about noon and came to the Sapong's W : here they were very joyfull, and
kindly entertained, received with fireing of Guns and plenty of provision. Here they liired a
Sapong Indian tor their guide a nearer way than usual towards the Tolera Indian Town.

Sep'"" y"" Just as they were ready to take horse being about 7 of the clock in the morning
they heard some Guns goe oft' from the other side of the River, they were 7 Apomatock Indians
sent to accompany them in their Travels, one of their horses being tired tbey sent bim back,
and about II of the Clock sett forward, and reached y' night to tbe Hanohaskie Indian Town
2-3 miles from the Sapongs, where they were likewise kindly entertained, the town lyes A\'. and
by N. in an Island of tlie Sapong River Ricbland.

Sep"^ G"> About 11 of tbe Clock they left the Hanobaskies ayd M'" Thomas Wood at the

Town dangerously sick of a fHux, his horse likewise was seized witli tbe Stagers, and a failing

in his liinder parts ; their course was this day W. and by S. they tooke up their quarters W

,1^^; about 20 miles from the Town, this afternoon y« Indians killed them a dear, in tbe night 2 of

their horses straied away from y"' about 10 of the clock.

Sep!"- y<= 7"' About 3 of the clock they bad sight of the Mountains, they traveled 25 miles
over very hilly and stony ground, their course Westerly.

Sep*"" y' 8"' They began their journy about Sun Rise and traveled all day a W. and by N.
course, about 1 of the clock they came to a tree mark'd in the path with a coale M A N I
about four of tbe clock they came to the foot of the 1^' Mountain, went to the top, y" came to
a snudl descent, y" rose again, when they came almost to the bottom there was a steep descent,
they traveled all day over a very stoney ground with many rocks and after having journey'd 30
.^' miles they tooke up their quarters at y* foot of a Mountain due W. they passed the Sapong River
twice this day.

Sep""" G"" They were stiring with the sun, traveling West, and shortly came again to the
Sapong River, where it was very narrow, tbey ascended y* 2'' Mountain w'^'" wound up W. and
by S. w"" several risings and fallings, after v/"^ they canu' to a steep descent, at y'' foot whereof
was a lovely descending valley about 6 miles over, w"' curious small risings, sometimes
mdiflerent good way, their course over it was S: W: after they came over that they had a
steep descent, at the foot whereof stood the Tolera-' Indian Town, in a very rich swamp between

' Tlifi Saponas, lici-o sui.iu.st'd to 1.,. allii.lcil Ui, w.-.v fmiii,! l.y I.awson ou tlie li.a.l wat.'i's of (lio (Jroat IVJ.-... {Lawson,
Journal 46. Gallatin Synop. Jnd. Tr. 83, Sr,.) — ]m>.

^ The Toteros, says Lawson, were "tall, likely iiu'ii, having great iilenty of Ijuffaloes, Klks and Bears, with other sort, of

Deer among them." Tliey are represented in this MS. as a monntain trihe, but (;.\llatix {Op. Sup. Cit.) say-s they were

1^ driven thitlier from the West. The Totteroy, or Great Sandy Creek, below the Great Kauhawa, would indicate that they

onee lived in tha Ohio Valley. See Evan's Analysis, 29 ; Mitchell's and Pomnal's Maps, for the location of the Totteroy

Creek. — Eu. '

LO.NDON DOCU.MENTS : III. 195

a Breach and the main River of IJoanolve circled about witli ]\[onntains; tliey got tliither about
3 of the Clock, after 25 miles travel. Here they were exceeding civilly entertained, and rested
themselves y'' rest of y' Saturday Evening, Sunday and Monday. Perecute being seized w"" an
Ague & Feavor every afternoon

Sep'"' IS*"" They set forward about 9 of the Clock a foot, leaveing their horses at the Tolera
Town, and traveled something Southerdly, something Northerdly as the path went, over several
high Mountains and Deep descending valleys, crossing several branches, and likewise the body
of the Roanoke River several times, all exceeding Stoney ground ; about 4 of the Clock
Perecute's ague and their own weariness made y" take up their quarters by the side of Roanoke
River, very nigh the head thereof, it was at the foot of a very great mountain, they had traveled
about 2-5 miles, a W. and by Nore course.

Sep**' 13"" After a miles Travel they came to y' foot of a very high Mountain whose ascent
was very steep so that they could scearce keep themselves from slideing down again, this
continuing for 3 miles with small intermission of better way, being got to the top of the
mountain and set down to rest themselves, being very weary, they saw a Ridge of Mountains
lyeing N. & S. as far as they could disceme, their course up the Mountains was W and by N, a
very small descent on the other side, the Valle3"s tending westwardly, they had here a pleasing
but dreadful Sight to see Mountains and Hills piled one upon another ; after they had traveled
about 3 miles from the Mountains easily descending ground, they came to two trees mark'd as
before w"" a coale M A N I y' other cut in with M A and severall other Scrablem"
hard by a pretty swift small current, tending West, sometimes Northerdly, w"" curious
meadows on each side, y' ground as they past was rich but stoney, pleasant riseing hills, and
all along brave rich meadows, w"" grass above man's hight, many rivers running W. N. W and
many small streams from the Southerdly Mountains, which they saw as thej' marched
tending Xortherdly to empty themselves into the great River.^ After having traveled about 7
miles they came to a very steep descent where they found a great current y' emptied itselfe as
they suppose into the Great River Northerdly their course being as the path went W. S. ^\.
then they set forward W. & had not gone far but met again w"" the cun-ent y' emptied itselfe
Northerdly into the great River w'*" was much broader than it was where they saw it before,
this great River ran there W. and by N. having passed the current they marched about 6 miles
N. W. and by N. and came to y" River again where it wms broader still, and ran W. and by S.
and so as they suppose tended W : here they took up their quarters, after they had waded over
the soyle, the further they past the richer, and stony, full of brave meadows and old feilds, the
course W.

Sept"" 14"' They set forward before Sun Riseing, their provision being all spent, traveled as
the path went, sometimes Southerdly, sometimes Northerdly, over good Ground but Stoney,
sometimes riseing hills and then steep descending Valleys. In a clear place on the top of a
hill they saw over against y™ to the S. W. a curious prospect of hills like waves raised by a
gentle brize riseing one behind another, M"" Batts supposed he saw houses, but iNP Fallani
rather tooke them to be white cliffs, they marched about 20 miles this day, tooke up their
quarters about 3 of the clock, to see if their Indians could kill them some Dear, having gone W.

' Gi'ent Kanliawn. — Ki>.

IQQ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and by N. tlie}' were very weary and liungry, & Perecute continued very ill, yet desirous to goe
ibrward, they past this day several brave brookes or small Kivelets.

Sep''^ 15"' Yesterday in the afternoon and this day they lived a dogg's life, hunger and ease,
the Indians haveing done their best could kill y"> noe meat, tiie Dear they said were in such
beards, and the ground drye, y' by -the rattleing of the leaves they easely espied y" yet still
they ventured ibrward, and about one o'Clock began to march, and went over some exceeding
good, some stony ground, a W. and by N. course, 'till they came to a large current y' emptied itself
W. and by N. as they supposed into a great River, as they passed they met w"" some wilde
goose baryes, and exceeding large Haws, w"- w''' they were forced to fill themselves, feeding on
tliese and y'' hopes of better successe on the morrow. They had hired an Indian guide from
the Tolera who goeing to kill y™ some dear lost them.

Sep'"' IG"" Their Indians went a ranging betimes one whereof came in and told them he
heard a Drum and a Guun goe off to the Northward, the rest brought some exceeding good
grapes, and kill'd two turkyes w''' was very welcum, and where w"' they feasted.

About 10 of the Clock tliey set forward and after they had travild about 10 miles one of their
Indians kill'd a dear, presently after they liad a sight of a ciu-ious River like the Thames ag'
Chelcey, but liad a I'all ' y' made a great noise whose course was there N. and so as they
supposed ran W. a])out certain jileasant mountains, w'''' tliey saw to tlie Westward, here they
took up their quarters, and found their course had been W. and by N. Here they found Indian
Feilds w"" corue stalks in them, and understood afterward the Mohetans liad lived there not
long before

iSep'!'' l?"" Early in the morning they went to seeke some trees to marke, tlie Indians being
impatient of longer Stay, by reason it was like to be bad weather, and that it was soe difficult
to get provision the}' fbund four trees exceeding fitt for their purpose, y' had been half bark'd
by the Indians, standing after one another. Then they had this ceremony to proclaime the
King in tliese W(jrds.

Long lire King Charles if 2'' King nf Engluml, ScolluiiJ, France, Iiehiiid and Virginia and all
the tcretonjes tliernmto belonging ; dejfeiidcr nf f f'aitJi.

Fired Gumis and mark'd tlie P' Tree thus C R w"' a paire of marking Irons for his
Sacred Majesty, the next tlius WB fbr the Governor Sir William Berkley, tiie 3'' Tree
w"' AN for the jNIajor (General Abraham Wood the last tree thus Ikll H lor themselves.

P for Perecute who said be would be an English man

And on another Tree stands tliese letters for y"" rest (Hie under another

IN.TT. NP. V. ER.

Alter this they left the Indians tliere and went themselves down to tlie River side, but w"'
mucii dilliculty, it being a peice of very rich ground, whereon y"^ IMohetons bad formerly lived,
and grown up with weeds & small ])rickly Locust bushes and thistles.

\V'lien they came to y'= River side they found it better and broader than expected, full as
broad as the Thames over ag' Waping, y« falls, nmcli like tlie Falls of James River in Virginia,
and imagined by the Water Marks it flowed there about :i foot. It was tln'ii Ebbing Water,
they set up a stick by the Water side but found it ebb very slowly.

' Tlio Great falls of the Kiuihawii, 90 miU'S nbovo the moutlj. Jeifcrsoa's A'oles, 20. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 197

The Indians kept such a hallowing for them that they durst stay no longer to make further
tryall least they should leave y™

They then returned homewards again but when they were on the Top of the Hill they
took a prospect as far as they could view, and saw westerdly over certain delightfull iiills a
fogg arise and a glimmering light as from water, and suppose there may be some great Bog.

They came to the Toleras on Tuesday night, where they found a Mohetan Indian, haveing
Intelligence of their comeing were afraid they were come to fight with them about which he
was sent to enquire. They gave him satisfaction to the contrary and in assm-ance of friendship
presented him w"" three or four Shots of powder, y'' Mohetan y° informed them that they had
been from the mountains lialf way to the place where they now lived, and y' y"" next town beyond
them lived on a plain levell from whence came abundance of Salt.

But that he could informe them no further being y' if any Indians went down they never
returned, and that there were a very great company of Indians lived upon the Great Water.

Sep'"' 21*' Having been kindly entertained they departed from the Toleras and on the 24th
came to the Hanahaskies where they found M" Wood was dead and buried, and his horse
likewise dead.

After civil treatment with firing of gunns at parting (w'^'' is not usual) the 25"' they came in
the morning left y"" and reached y'' Sapongs that night where they stayed 'till the 27"' finding
curteous Entertainment, at night they came to the Apomatocks Town, and on Sunday Morning
being October y' 1*' they arrived safe at Fort Henry. Christo duce et auspice Christo.

Order in Council on a Petition from tlie Eastern Towns of Long Island.

[ Prh-j- Council Ecgisler, C. E. ir. X. 273. ] . _ . '. . " -

At the Court at Whitehall, the 3^ of July, 1G72. ' ' " ' '

Presext — The King's Most Excellent Ma'''

in Councill.

Upon reading this da}' at the Boord the humble jietition of his Mat'*'' Subjects in three villages
at the East End of Long Island in America, called Easthampton, Southampton, and Southwold,
setting forth that they have spent much time and paines and the gi-eatest part of their Estates
in settling the ti-ade of Whale fishing in the adjacent seas, having endeavoured it above these
twenty yeares, but could not bring it to any perfection till within these 2 or 3 yeares last past,
And it being now a hopefull trade at New Yorke in America the Governor and the Dutch there
do require y* Petitioners to come under their patent, and lay very heavy taxes upon them
beyond any of his Ma"" subjects in New England, and will not permit the petitioners to have
any deputys in Court, but being chiefe, do impose what Laws they please upon them, and
insulting very much ^ver the Petitioners threaten to cut down their timber, which is but little
they have to Casks for pyle, Altho' the Pet" purchased their landes of the Lord Sterling's deputy,
above 30 yeares since, and have been till now under the Goverament and Patent of M'

198 NEW-YOKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Winthrop, belonging to Conitycot Patent, whicli lyetli far more convenient for y'' Petitioners
assistance in the aforesaid Trade. And therefore most humbly praying that tliey may be
continued under the Government and Patent of M'' Winthrop, or else that they may be
a free Corporation as his Ma"" subjects for y^ further encouraging them in their said Trade,
othenvise they must be forced to remove, to their great undoing, and damage of simdry
Merchants to whom they stand indebted for their Trade. It was Ordered, by his Ma""
in Council!, That it be, and it is hereby referred to the R' Hon'"" his Ma""'' Council for
ibrraine Plantations to consider of the said Petition, and report their opinion to his Ma"" thereupon
with all convenient speed. And the said Councill is desired to give notice of tiiis Petition to his
Royall Highness the Duke of York's Commissioners that they may attend when y" same shall
be under consideration.

Governor Lovelace to Governor Winfh/vp.

I >few-York Papers, I. 142. ]

An Extract of a Letter from Coll : Louelace directed to Gouern'"' Winthrop
dated Thursday being ten a clock the 31 of July as ffolloweth.

Deare S"'

At newhaven I receiued an unwellcome news of the Dutch approach before New Yorke, I
call it unwellcome in regard I was not in the place, they appeared att first w"' ten sayle
afterwards with seauenteene, yesterday about five or Six of the Clock they stormed it, a hot
dispute it seems it was, how the success was I canot as yet learue, they I understand haue
breake-fasted on all my Sheepe and Cattell on Staten Island, I am hastening as fast as I can to
make on, God sp;ij-e me but to get in, and I doubt not but to giue an good account of it. Yo''
Gentlemen haue formed a post from M" Richbells to you I pray you let it be continued for
intelligence, it will be necessary to forme a militia, for if it should miscarry they must not
radicate longe, I am yet out of theire power & am hastening now ouer to Long Island to raise
the Militia there, you shall heare of my motion, I pray dispatch away to Boston, I have noe
more God Allmighty preserue you and send us a happy meeting if not heare yet hereafter,
which is much better. I am,

Yo' aflectionate fireinde

FFRANCIR LoiTELAfE

LONDON DOCUiMENTS : III. ■ 199

Edioard Pahne-s to Governor Leverett.

[ New York I'apers, I. 142. ]

New Loudon August the 3'' 1G73.
Much Hon'''' Sir

Since the packet to yo'" self'e was sealed they liad intelligence irom Hartford to Millford tliat
New Yorke was taken Wednesday last w"" the loss of one man on each side, the ffleete consisting
of twenty ships & a galliot, The army landed were about eight lunidred men, it is said they
gaue good quarters but what particulars not yet knowne.

&"■ I had order to informe Yo"' Houo"' of this last Intelligence which is what time will permit
from, Hon'"'' S"" .

Yo'' Hono''* lunnble seruant

Edw'' Palmes.

Snperscribed

To the Hon''''''' John Leueritt, Esq'' Gouern"'' of his ]\Lajesties Colony of the
JNIassachusetts Post hast for his Majesties speciall Seruice.

Hubert Hodge fi Account of the Capture of Xew- York.

[ Xew-Tork Papers I. 124. ]

The Relation of Robert Hodge that came from the towne of South hold ujion
longe Hand. August 6"" 1G73.

Saith thac Isaac Arundell of South hold being at New Yorke when it w^as surrendred unto
the Dutch being then in tlie fort did declare unto one there that on the SS"" of July last the
Dutch fHeete consisting of twelue saile of men of warr and tewlue prizes came in at Sandy
Hooke & that day came up as fiir as Stateu Hand where haueing a contrary winde they tarried
untill the 30* of the same, seuerall of the Dutch of longe Hand in that time goeing on board
the ships informed them in what condition the flbrt was & that the Gouern'"' and principall men
were out of the ffort on the 30"" day hauing a faire wind they came up before the Sort
and then Capt. Manning went on board of the General! and asked them what theyr
intents were, theyr answer was they came to take the place, which they said was theyr
owne and theyr owne they would haue, the said Manning desired some time to make
themselue ready, the Generall tould him he would giue him halfe an houre's time, when the
halfe houre was out the Generall fired his broadside and the rest after him, Whereuppon the
flbrt fired uppou them againe and shott the Generalls shipp through and through, all the damage
they in the flbrt receiued was the killing of one man fflourishing his sword upon the wall whose
head was shott : the flbrt held out about the space of four bowers which was as longe as they
had any Carthrages and then they struck their fflagg by Cap' Manning's order, upon which
Cap« Manning & Doctor Tayler opened the gates & lead in the Dutch at home the Souldiers

200 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

would have fired but they ordered to the contrary, then the Dutch drew the EngH.sh souldiers
into a riuge and comanded tlieni to lay down tlieir amies which when they luid done they tooke
and carried prisoners on board theyr ships ; fi'urther he relateth that they tooke two sliips at
New Yorke one loading and the loaden one of them being 500 tunns w"" 3-'i guns and the other
ship about one hundred tuns they plundered Cap' Deleuall's house, the Gouerno'% and Cap'
Manning's (whom they suH'er to weare a sword) & all mene in place e.\re}it 'SI' Lawrences whose
house they saued upon the recjnest of the Dutch liueing there : tf'urther he relateth that they
haue seuerall sloops in the sound, what their intent is tliey know not, tfurther hi' saith that they
sent to seuerall English towns on the maine that their intent was not to doe them any spoyle
hut only to get their owne which they would haue, & that they intended to send two shipps to
range about the Gayhead & the coasts of longe Hand, there was about sixty men : ffurther he
saith that the longe Ilauders coidd make no resistance for want of powder they had not so much
as to make two roimds, although tiiey were forced to i)ay for the building of theyr ffbrt & other
charges : lie saith also that some of the longe Ilauders intend to send to this Goverm' or to
Conecticot for supply of Amunition which if they haue they will not yeild to the Dutch,
ii'urther he saith that the Dutch Geuerall was slaiiie at Virginia

Taken at Boston

August the 11"" 1673.

Nathan (rould''-'^' Accoant of tlie Caidnre of New-Yorlc.

[ New England, I. VU. ]

Intelligence from New Yorke by one from Stanford.

August S. This messenger reports as ffoUoweth, viz. that at Stanford on the S"" of this instant
there came thither 4 men from New Yorke, two of them were taken at Virginia and came in the
ffleete to New Yorke, from whence they made their escape & affirmed that the English fffeete
at Virginia saw the Dutch fHeete rideing at the mouth of their Bay and supposed them to be a
ffleete from England come to conuey them home uppon which they came to the Dutch ffleete
which ffleete tooke Eight of them and burnt fine, the rest escaped from them into Crakes and
by places as they could. Also that the Sloope wherein were Cap' James Cartwright & his wife
were set ashoare in Mrginia, But they brought M'' Ilojjkins w"' the Sloope to the INIanhatoos.
Moreouer this man saith that he stood at the Cabbin doore & heard the Generall demand of the
ISP of the Sloope Samuell Dauis by name what force they had at New Yorke & tould him if he
would deale ffaithfully w"" him he would giue him his sloope and Cargo againe ; the said Sloopes
Master replyed that in the spaci^ of thn>e hours the Cioverno'" Louelace could raise fine thousand
men & one hundred & fifty peice of Ordinance mounted fit for seruice upon the wall, upon this
the Dutch (Jenerall said if this be true 1 will giue you yo'' sloope & cargo & neuer see them.
Then they (!n(]uired of one M'' Hopkins who tould them lie thought there might bee betweene
Sixty and Eighty uk'u in the; ffort, and in three or fbure dayes time it was possible they might
raise three or foure hundred men, & that there was thirty or thirty six peice of ordinance uppon
the wall that a shot or two would shake them out of their Carriages then all theyr cry was for

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 201

New Yorke, to which place they came, and this Captiue stood then on the Deck and saw t1iem
land by the Governor's Orchard about six hundred men as nere as he could conjecture & of
these six hundred he thought they had not aboue four hundred gunus, some had pistolls, some
had swordes, sonie halfe Pickes & he was very confident there could not be above twelue hundred
fighting men in the whole ffleete not aboue sixteene hundred in all, there were but seuen ships
that came from Holland the rest prizes they had taken and two Generalls, one weares the iflag
eight dayes, and then the other wears it Eight dayes, they are not priuateers but Comission'd
by the state to make spoyle where they could they brought one hundred French men of from
Surinam & burnt it & left none there.

One other of the aboue said foure men reports that when Cap' Berry came to the ffort uppon
the Account of surrender M'' Hopkins tould him that his bussiness was done ; Also one of'theise
four saw that on Saturday last August the 2"' about one of the Clocke he saw one of the
Generalls goe ouer to long Hand w"" his longe boate w''' his orange iHagg & trumpet to G(uiei'no''
Louelace & Capt. Nicholls went with the Dutch Generall (not through the towne) straite into
the Castle — fturther this man saith that M' John Sellick goeiug from Stanford to long Hand f(jr
boards in a small Catch was taken in the way by the Dutch.

There arriued heare at flarfeild this G"" of August 1673 a sloop w"" eleuen English men, some of
the men being examined saith that the vessell they are now in was taken by the Dutch on
Saturday last, and she being left at anchor the Sabbath day following the present company now
in her tooke her and found two Englishmen in her and ftbrthw'"' brought her away.

The relation of one of the corporalls of the garrison concerning the takeing of New Yorke,
which is as followeth, viz. On the last Munday was seuen night the Dutch fHeete appeared
about Sandy Hooke On tuesday they came to an anchor under Staten Hand on the Wednesday
the ffleet came up into Hudson's Riuer & Ankored before the flbrt, not a ]Musquet Shot before
the fort, before they came to an anchor at the ffort while they were at Staten Hand the ffleete
sent a trumpeter to the ffort and demanded it for the Prince of Orange, and what answer was
returned the Corporall knows not, After the ffleete was at an anchor by tiie ffort they did not
shoot a gunn for the space of halfe an howr then the fHeete dischardged their broad sides at the
ffort and the ffort shoot att them while the Dutch were placing their great gunns, they landed
their men in Hutson's Riuer aboue the Gouerno"" Orchard. This Corporall saith that
inmiediatly the ttlag of the flbrt was taken downe, & he canot certainly say who did it, the
Souldiers of the enemy came downe the broad way and entred in at the flbrt gate, it being open,
whereuppon the beseiged souldiers marched forth w"' their amies and colours fflying & laid them
downe when they came for then they were comauded into the ffort againe & comitted to prison
in the Church, and so sent afterward aboard the ships. The above said Corporall also saith
that he see Generall Lovelace at Justice Cornwalls on longe Hand vi^ith Cap' NicoUs who tould
him he would goe to the ffort on Saturday last in the mourning. He also saith that there were
but seauen men of warr that came out of London (scil) three Amsterdam men and four
Zealanders, the rest of the ffleete were prizes they had taken in the Indies & ^'irginia & he
esteems theire is about sixteene hundred men of them.

The Relation of the Boatswaine of M' Mullins ship lately taken by the Dutch, viz. That on
the last day of July last past they were taken by two pinaces «& about forty men, hee affirmes he
was kept on board the Adrairall 24 howres to giue an accompt of what was in the said ship, and
Vol. hi. 26

202 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRirXS.

soone after got nsliore to Yorke the said sliip was taken about the two Brotle.' The said
Boat swaine saith that ou Saturday last he saw Gouernor Louelac.e and Capt Nicholls hnnd out
of the Admirall's pinnace and saw them both goe into the fort ; tlie said Boatswaine saitli that
the ffleet consists of three Amsterdam men & four Zealanders & a small frigott of six giinns
the rest of the ffleete are merchant men prizes & he conceiues they canot hatie more tiien
sixteene hundred men of all sorts; and on munday last they intended to goe up to fort Alhany
w"" the small frigott & two pennaces and about two hundred menu & saith that he heard a boy
about nineteene yeares of age whom he was acquainted w"'all say that the sloope he belonged to
was pressed to come alonge and plunder the English but as yet he can heare of none plinidcred
but Cap' Deleuall & M' Rider

These examinations were taken before me the date aboue said

Nathan Gould.

Prodamation of Coin)nander.s EverUen and Benches.

[ Nuw-York rupcrs, I. 124. ]

The Comanders and Honourable Court Marshall of the Squadron of Ships of
Warre in the sendee of the high and INIighty Lords the States Generall
of the imited provinces &: his serene Highness the Lord Prince of Orange.

Wheueas the flbrt and City ou the Hand ^Slonhatons have surrendred themselves without
any capitulation or Articles under the High and Mighty Lords the States Generall of the united
provinces and his serene Highness the Prince of Orange ; yet notwithstanding wee doe hereby
declare that o"' intention is no wise to hurt or spoile any of the good inhabitants but to the
contrarj' to gouerne them as true and ffixithful subjects, prouided they doe undertake nothing in
prejudice of the Gouemient.

Wee haue therefore thought fit to manifest & declare our said resolutions in generall unto
all the English Towns upon longe Hand & in perticular unto the towne of Southampton to
the end each towne should make a choice and send unto us here two Deputies w"" their letters
of Authorization for to take the oath of allegiance, as also to bringe with them the Constables
Staffes and Colours, wee being intended instead of the same to furnish them with colours of
the Prince of Orange whereuppon they shall be considered & governed w"'out respect of nations
as good and ftaithful Subjects. And the Constables of the respectiue Towns on long Hand are
heare by strickely charged and required fforthwith to cause this o' Order to be manifested and
declared from towne to towne to the end the said Deputies do all make theire appearances
and addresses heare imto us on Monday next being the ll"" or 2V^ of this instant month of
August if possible or otiierwise two or three dayes afterwards, or by refusall or default thereof
we shall be necessitated to meet them with such a force of amies, by whom we assured to
subdue them thereunto, when these conditions now tendred shall not be granted unto thein.

Cornelius Euerson
Dated at flbrt William ffredenck. ] Jacob Bxnkes.

the 14 August. 73. j .

' Two T.rotliors — a i'on|ili> of islanils in Uie Enst Riroi' immpiiint.ph'^ south of West.chcstor. — Ep.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 20S

Kathaii Gould to Gocernnr WiiitJifoj).

[ Xow-Tork Papers, I. VJ-4. ]

Right Worsliipfull

The messeuger that I sent for intelligence is newly returned & there is one M' Gibbs that
lilies at yorke is come to o"' Towne he came from York the last Wedensday about y^ middle
of the day who brings intelligence that on Tuesday last there was a report at the ffort that
there were seeue twelue ships at the mouth of the Harbour whereuppon y^ souldiers were
comanded into the ftbrt & the sea men to their ships they sent down a pinnace to Enquire the
truth which was not returned before he came away ; he also saith that there was some come
from Grauesend & they say they saw uoe shipps, what tiie truth is I know not, M'' Gibbs was
in the ffort all the time of the Engagem', a true relation of tiie Managem' of that affaire this
bearer M'' Sellick can giue you a perticular ace' who hath fully spoken and heard M'' Gibbs
relation Also its certaine that they haue sumoned the Hand in, to bring in their Colours &
Constables staffes by the second day next, the East end of y' Hand have three days longer, if
they come not in they threaten they will reduce them by a preveiling power M'' Gibbs saith
they plunder nou in Yorke there is a souldier to be executed for plundering cross to order.
Its informed that Authur Cull M'' Cartwright's party hath all ready complyed & the other party
is sumoned to appeare next Tuesday, This for substance is the truth of' the present intelligence
there be diuers others perticulars IVP Sellick being in hast I shall refere yo' worshipp to his
relation who can fully iiiforme you, I shall still make it my care to gaine what intelligence I
can and I shall be still giuing you an ace" not else at present I rest

Yo'' hiunble Seruant

ftarfield S"* x\ugust 1G73. ... Nathan Gold.

ISP gibbs also agrees in his relation w"" the foniier intelligence y' there is most not aboue
sixteene hundred seamen and Souldiers, M' gibbs saith Cap' Carr is fled the Generall Louelace
is at Yorke and hath free egress & regress.

The names of the Dutch Generalls are Jacob Biukes. Cornelius Euerson de yoimger

They haue sent loO Souldiers for fort Albany about Tuesday last.

Superscribed

To the right worshipfuU John Winthrop Esq"' Gouernor of his Ma"" Colony of
Conecticot hast hast post hast for his Majesties speciall seruice.

[Thu preceding papers, relative to tlie capture of New-York \ij tlie Diiteli, were ineluded in a despatch addressed ]

P'or

The Right Honorable the Lord Arlington One of His INLnjesties Privy Councell, principall
Secretary of State.

These present at Whitehall.

ffrom New England for his INIajesties speciall Service,
hast, hast, post hast. London

Rochell the H of October 1G73
Receiued the ft & sent foi'ward '
By Yo"' honours most hum'''* Serv"

Andrew Stuckey & C".

204 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. LudweU, Secretary of Virginia.^ to Secretary Arlington.

[ Virginia, II. 15. ]

Eiglit Hono"'

I liave here inclosed our last lawes and leavies, and would have troubled yo'' Honor in these
busie times noe further then w"" the evidences of y" respect I owe you, did not our being lately
invaded w"" eight Holland & Flushing men of waiT from 30 to 46 guuns a ship, with one
fireship Commanded by Jacob Binkes for Holland and Cornelius Evertson for Flushing, who
(notwithstanding our convoy of two men of warr did w"" extraordinary resolution fight them
above fower bowers) tooke from us and burnt eleven shipps \\'=^ ran on grownd before they could
get under the protection of any of our torts where all the rest were saved, enforce me in this
sad conjuncture to implore yo'' Lordships assistance towards His Ma"^ when our declarations
shall be p'sented to the Councell table, that the true state of our p^sent condicon being waighed
and our inabillity to defend our selves considered and the consequence of saueing soe
considerable a plantacon, w'^'' imployes soe many shipps, spends soe much of the manufacture of
England, and brings soe great a revenue to the Crowne being duely valewed, His Rla''' may be
graciously pleased to aflbrd us that protection w"^*" wee cannot give our selves. And here I
would have given vour Honnor the particulars both of our losse and inabillity to p^'ent it, but
that I feare it would be'too troublesome to you, who I know might be continually imployd at
those Councells, w'"' I doubt not will steer our greater concernes into a good port, and therefore
doe begg yo'' LordP" pardon if I referre you to our declaration for them. Your LordP can p''serve
us if you please, and tlierelbre I doe most humbly begg it for a poor distressed people, who if
they can never make you any other acknowledgem' will yet pray for your prosperity.

My Lord, this Gent" who brings this to your hands is a uei)hew to ><■' Herbert Price and
Leil' to one of the men of warr here, in which he behaved himselfe w"" extraordinary
courage, and therefore I could not denye him the justice of giving yo'' Honnor that caracter of
liim, and tlmugh I cannot in reason hope such an intrest in yo"' Lordi" favor as may incline
you to looke on him, yet 1 hope his owne merritts may, and I should conclude it a great omen
of my future liappynesse if any thing 1 could wright should cause soe great a person as yo''
Lord'" to favour ISI'' Price for whose vertue and gallantry I have a perticular esteeme. God of
Heaven p^serve your Lord^ in health and honnor and continue me in your favour, w"^ is the
greatest happinesse hoped for by, Right Hono'''^

Yo"' Honnors most iunnble and
most faythfull Serv'

TlIO : LUDWELL.

Vira" August 2. 1G73

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 205

Governor Leverett to Secretary Arlington.

[Xew-Tork Papers. I. 141.]

My Lord

The inclosed gives an account of the Intelligence I haue received by several! wayes, of the
ime.\pected and unhappy loss of New Yorke, & that Country ; whither by treachery or
negligence I haue not to resolue myselfe in, but doubt something of both : I haue further to
acquaint your Lordship, that since the receipt of the inclosed I haue certain intelligence that
Albany is surrendered upon the same tennes with New Yorke namely at mercy. It was
e.xpected that Coll. Louelace would haue kept himselfe out of the Enemies hand though hee
had not kept the fort, that thereby the country might have been emproved (who as I hear was
ready to rise for the reduceing the place), but by one of their Dutch Domines hee was
collogued with, whereby they got him in for three dayes, and before those were out the
Inhabitants laide Arrests upon him for debts due to them, soe that time lapsed the Dutch
CLptains declared that hee had liberty (paying his debts) within si.x weekes to depart the Country,
they haveing seized his Estate before, soe that they keepe him & it is said intend him for
Holland. Seuerall of the towns on long Hand & of Governor Cartwrights Goverment are
come into them : They are at worke to repaire the defects of carriages and platfoniis (too much
neglected before) E.xpecting recruits from Europe to theire setling, if A)t prevented. This in
faithfullness to his Majesty & his Royall Highnesse The Duke of Yorke, I have adventured to
giue yo' Lordship trouble with, rather then to lye under the blame of neglect of informeing
about soe great a concern, however the Intelligence may bee unwelcome as to the loss sustained.
Craving yo"' lordship's pardon I make bold to subscribe myselfe

Yo'' lordship's ffaithfull & humble servant,

JoHX Leverett.
Dated in Boston, New England,
September first 1073.

Duplicate of one of the 31"" August 1673.

Extract of a Letter to Mr. Harxoood.

[ Xew-Torli Papers, I. 100. ]

Boston in New England Septb'' 3"^ 1673.
Deare Brother, it hath pleased the Lord to suffer y« Dutch with 7 or 8 men of Warr whoe
in July last went to Virginia & great spoyle to y^ Virginia fleete, haveing taken and burnt 13
sayle of ships, when they done there standing along y" shoare intending onely to waf and soe
to goe away : but when they came upp as farr as Delaware to poynt comfort, a Dutch sloope
from New York met them, and went on board of them, and inform'' them of y' state of New
York, & of the absence of y' Govemour, & how weekly man"^ y^ ffort was, & y' carriages of
their gi-eat gmis out of repaire, & rotten & noe plattforms to play y' gunns upon, which did

206 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

inibolden them to come w"" their ffleete up to New York : & on t!ie 31=^' day of July put their
ffleet into a halfe moon before y' ffort & not one gun fired upon them, tlien y*" tiieet let flye all
their broad sides & in y® smoake landed 500 men, y^ ffbrt fired but 4 gunns att the shipps all y^
Tyme, and upon a sudden opened y^ gates and lett them all in and surrendered up the ftbrt
without any farther dispute, yeilding themselves to their mercy, W^*" is a shame and derision to
our English Nation, as hath not been heard of: for such a place y' was so well fitted & able to
defend themselves & offend their Enemy : as to open their gates to let in their Eneniyes as if
our English men had lost all their spirits, soe y^ neare approaching of soe Potent ann enemy
hath alarm"* y^ whole countrey, whatt will be done y*' Lord onely knows, our fears are many
but we putting our selves iirto a posture, as to be ready to defend y^ countrey : but we are in noe
capacity to send shiping, for we have them not y' is able to reduce it by sea ; nor have they
done any injury to any of our Plantations y' is adjacent to them, nor taken away any of our
vessells ; The united Collonyes have all agi'eed ass one man, and doe resolve, if they doe otter
any abuse to any of us, they will have reparation ; We have not heard w" is done there as yet,
wee doe not heare of any English men Estates sequester'd as yet, but Delavalls and Lovelace's,
who was then both absent, but many men will be greate sufferers & wee must expect to share
among other, not else, but refer you to the next, soe take leave and rest :

Mr. Wdliam Dervell to Mr. B. ^YoolhJ.

[New-York Papers, I. 103. ]

Boston in N : E: y"" 20"" of SeptemV 1G73.

r haue now to advice you that New Yorke is taken by y" absence of Coll : Lovelace y* last
(Joverno'' thereof, through who's neglect & y^ treachery of Capt. Manning who was left
comander in cheif, delivered up y* place unto Conielious Everson & Jacob Binkes w"'out
articles, as appeares for most English lost all only some few that take their Oathes that are
Inhabitants to be true to y' states of Holland, All my flither in law's Estate and mine seized
on and made prizes off". The reason they give is my Father is y' Duke of York's Auditor, and
mine is lost because I lived in this CoUony, The loss my father and I have sustaiu'd is so
considerable that I dare not, nor really yett know y^ value. They haue already carryed away
of mine for Holland or 8pain which I haue an ace" of 160 lihds of Tobacco, 30 Tun of
Logwood, 14 tims of Brazeletta, and 70 barr"^ of oyle. My father in Law is going home
aboui2oooii. a prisoner for Holland in Everson's shii)p. Hee has lost all, God giue us patience.
I hope if lie come home some Address may be to haue our Estates again. Questioning not
but if His Itoyall Highness demands it from y' Dutch it will be restored.

I am, Yo"" Sorrowfull Friend,

W"' Deuvell.

'i'o M^ W Woolly
in London.

liead in a Com'""'' of v'' Councill. 7" Nov. 73.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 207

J/cmon'al urging tlic Recovery of J\^ew - Yorlc.

[ Trade Papers. Slate Paper Office. XX. 54. ]

A Memoriall conceming New York and the ndjacent English Plantations
in America.

After the Dutch men of War (in Jul}' last 1G73) had taken and burned severall shipps in
Virginia, they sayled to New York whicli they sooue became Masters of, and (as it is credibly
informed) all or most of them remaine there, New Yorke beeing (or may easily be made) too apt
a station from whence they may at pleasure and at all times soe infest all the adjacent Colonies
that his Ma''" subjects inhabiting in and trading to New England, Virginia, and Maryland
(New Yorke being scituated in the center of them) cannot reasonably promise to themselves (or
hope for) any security untill his Ma"' shall be pleased againe to reduce New York under
his obedience, and by a competent strength of shipps & men of War protect the merchauuts
shipps tradeing there and supplying his Ma''" subjects inhabiting those Colonies without which
protection, both the Colonies and traders will probably suffer frequent losses, to their great
impoverishment, if not to their utter ruine ; and his Ma'''^ will loose a considerable part of his
customes : and it is credibly informed from Holland that the Dutch will send six men of warre
more as soone as they can, with more men to fortify themselves in th«se parts, soe as unless
some speedy course be taken for prevention thereof, it will in a shorte time be more difficult to
reduce that place : all which is humbly submitted to his Ma''" consideration

Indorsed

" About New Yorke &c . '

" R. Oc'. 22. 73."

Mr. Dijer^s Project for reducing New - YorTc. ^

[ Sew-Tork Papera, I. 106. ]

Whereas severall Dutch privateers xmder conduct of Cap' Everson haue certaineU' taken from
his Ma"" Dominions y'' fttourishing province of New York, a place of too much eminence, worth,
and Benefit to be deserted, in regard y^ Enemy thereby has so commodious an oppertunity ffor
devastating y* Countery, spoylling and destroying y' Trade, making y* Town and port of New
York a Receptacle for their Booties and principal Seat of their fforces ; ffrom whence they may
w"" expedition and Convenience, anoy all his Ma"" shiping, plantations, and subjects in
America ; to y' exceeding prejudice and Damage of his Ma"" and inevitable Ruine of y"' adjacent
colonies, as those of New England, New Jersey, Carolina, but more especially Virginia and
Maryland, whose anuuall production is so beneficiall a part of the Royall Revenue, as y' y"^
obstruction and deprivation thereof will be extremely ffelt in this kingdome as well by the
publique as private Concerns.

And seeing y' great motiues which at first induced his Sacred Ma"' to subdue and driue out y'
usurping Dutch ffrom them parts, was y" true sense his Ma''' had of the exceeding injury he

sns

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

sustain'd in y« act of Trade and Navigation, and of how ill a consequence y^ intrusions of y'
Dutch nation has euer proved in y^ Temtories of other prhices ; as also the mischief which
might ensue to all y«- English Colonys on y' Contenant, if the hollanders were permitted
to continue and strengthen them selves in the heart of his ma"" precincts, tiiey hemg then
Masters of one of the most Comudious ports and Rivers in America, w"^'' they hane now
Repossest them seines oft".

Whereof it cannot he thought less E.xpedient y' a sudden course be taken flbr their second
Ejection.

New York being the center of his Ma"" Western Dominions, and ffurnished.with so Excellent
a harbour to secure shiping, Also a pleasant Town and pleantifull Countery Roundabout, thttto
receiue Succor and releiue sea men and Souldiers, which gives advantage and incoragement ftbr
y« enemy to settle and rendezvous there, from whence they may at pleasure send out more or
iesse of their private men of warrc to infest the Coasts, distroying all shipps bound into
Virginia, alarming y= inhabitants, hindering their occasions, soon Reducinge them to Exiream
necessity and poverty ; also the enemy may conveniently run into y* Caribbee Islands, burning
shipps, disturbing y^ people, and so obstruct all commerce there ; Retiring w"" what purchase
and prizes tliey get to New York, where in y« meane time otheres may be made Ready to
saly out and do y* like Damage in New England, and by this means fiinally subvert y'
American Traffick to y= vast prejudice off his Ma"*' interest both at home and a broad, if some
speedy care be not taken for prevention of y' dangerous events which y" delay of Recovering y'
place will certainly produce.

And in regard his Ma"''* affairs at this Juncture of Time can ill spare any great number of ships
or Quantityes of men to Reduce y" place, I humbly propose a fFacil expedition to effect y^ same.
Craving of his Ma"'' only a considerable ffbrce of ffrigotts with what ffire ships shall be
necessary ibr the design, man'd sufficiently for defence till they arriue in New Enghl where men
may be had to supply his Ma"" occasions ; who being acquainted with the Countery and ffresh
ftbr seruice, one may be capable to perform as nuich as two Tyered w"" a long Voyage.

Therefore to raise men I presume this course would be proper ; ifirst having ample power
and instructions ftVom his Ma"* so to doe, proclaim y' it is his Ma"*'* Royall pleasure to will and
require all his Louing Subjects, of their volentary motions to demonstrat their obedience by
Lending speedy aid and assistance ftbr y* Retrivall of New York.

So composing a small land army of about 2000 men liorse and flbot and w"^ them beseige the
town, thereby debaring y* Enemy of all su])plys out of y* Countery, and then immediatly Block
up y* harbour w"" y* ships of warre, w^i" will unavoydably compell the Dutch to surrender, or
else expose them selves to the inconvenience and Terroiu- of ifire and sword, w""*" must be
executed by storming the Town, and Burning their ships in the Rhoad.

If the premises be speedily undertaken they may Easily be accomplished, but if deterr'd will
proue more difficult, and in all probability the benefitt accrewing flrom y' prizes to be taken in
y' port, will defray y* charg and bring some money into his Ma'*" coffers, also the same
adventure giuing safe conduct to the ^'irginia ffleet out and home.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 209

Sir John Knight to tlie Karl of Sh.uftmhv.ry.

[ New- York Papers, I. 103. ]

Proposal!.? of Sir John Knight touching New Yorke.
Right honno'"''^

I humbly make bould to acquaint yo'' Lordship that the taking of iVevv Yorke by Evertson is
confirmed, and that he doetii there winter with his ships and forces, and soe it might consequently
be judged that he will there make use of his time, and get what other plantations he can Lying
neare to that place from His Majesty, to preuent vvliich mischeife and to secure Virginia and the
Plantations neare thereunto, and for to recover New Yorke, and preserue the merchant ships
uowe bound to Virginia from Evertson's sliips, I humbly couceaue there is a necessity to
dispatch and send away with all speed, Tenne of His Majesties ships that are nowe ready for
the winter guard, and about fine hundred land souldiers with as much priuacy and secrecy as
may be that the Dutch may not knowe thereof.

2'>' That some store of Armes and Ammunition be alsoe fortliwith sent by the said ships to
anne his Majesties subiects that Hue neare to New Yorke to asist his JNIajesties ships in tlie
recouery of it, and to beate out the Dutch before they strengthen ihemselues with new suplie''
and fortification.?.

3'^ That a full and sufficient power may be giueu to such persons as His Ma'>' shall thinke
fitt to raise such forces in New England and Virginia as shall be needful and alsoe to take up
soe many merchants ships as are fitt for warr, that shall be at Virginia this yeare to joyne
with his Maiesties ships, or otherwise to defend the ports and ships trading this yeare in
Virginia from the Enimy and to giue such persons full power to comissionate Captains and
Impress seamen for that seruice as need shall require for that the want of such a power the last
yeare was the cheife cause that the last shpis were burnt and taken at Virginia by the Dutch.

4'^ That some forts may be forthwith ordered to be made neare the sea coasts and harI)ours
of Virginia under which the merchants ships may defend themselues from the Enimy, and tlie
planters may thereby be secured from reuolting to tlie Dutch, as it is much to be feared they
will, if some better gouernment there then formerly be not kept over them.

And to make it out that there is a necessity that somewhat of this nature must be speedily
done, I humbly present your Lordship with these Reasons, lirst that because New- Yorke doth
border upon and Lye betweene Virginia and New England, and there are not any forts in
Virginia nor ammunition for the planters to defend themselues and preuent the luuasion of the
Enimy, and they did not there this last yeare when the Dutch was on the Coasts make any
Resistance, but did suffer the Enimy to land and come on shoare, and some of the Enimies
men of warre, did there lye a shoare three or fower dayes togeather, and it is said that the
planters there doe generally desire a trade with the Dutch & all other nations & would not be
singly bound to the trade of England, and speake openly there that they are in the nature of slaues
soe that the hearts of the greatest part of them are taken away from his Majesty & consequently
his Majesties best, greatest and richest plantation is in danger with the planters consents to fall
into the Enimies hands, if not timely preuented.

2'y this plantation of Virginia doth pay his Majesty 1-50000" per annum euen or thereabout by
the customes of tobacco Lnported from thence into his Kingdome, and probably in fewe yeares
it would haue improued to 250000" per annum soe that Virginia is of as great importance to
* 'Vol. in. 27

210 NKW-YORK COLONIAL MANl'SCRIPTS.

his Maiestv, as the Spanish Indias are to Spaine, and doeth Iniploy more sliips & hrcede more
seamen for his Maiesties seruice tlian any otlier trade of England doeth.

S'J' this phmtalion cannot subsist except an yearely releife by way of trade be sent oner of
Materialis to doath and prcserue tlie Phinters and to carry away the gro\\-tli produce of tlie
country for tlic doeing whereof about 24 saiU» of good ships are now goeing from Bristoll and
great numbers from London and other places with goods to suply and releaue them of the
growth and manufacture of this nation wliich siiips if they come holme in safety may bring to
liis Maiestv 140000" and the enimy being nowe on that coast to intercept them I doe not see
howe thej' can escape and soe consequently by such a surprize the planters will be in Extreanie
want, and bv it be brought without lighting to deliuer their country to the Enimy and 1
cannot find upon the best relation that they can make up aboue 13000 men in Virginia; & these
lye scattered .-ibroade in plantations far distant one from another & not easily l)rought togeatiu-r

4<wy The Dutch at .New Vorke will be bad neighbours to New England and destroy their
trade but these can make an army of 50,000 men & Iiaue their frequent musters in New
England, and though they be fractious, yet if they be made sensible, they may easily bring an
army and fall upon New Yorke by Land, and beate the Dutch from hence wliiles his maiesties
ships doe fall upon Evertson by sea, aud thereby the plantations may be preserued & Now
Yorke be recouered from the Enimy.

jiwr if Xen shipps be forthwitii dispatched away ihey may there not oncly meete witli and
destroy Evert.son, but may prcserue the rest of the plantations, and relunie back with the
Virginia fleet by the SO'*" of April!, and bring holme in them 140000" that will be due for
Customes, and the seamen to help mann the Nauy for the next yeare and the siiips nuiy alsoe
be made ready to serue in the nauy, all whi<'h I humbly siibmitt to your Lordships consideration,
and doe beseech your Lordship for the good of iiis Majesty & his kingdome to he a meanes that
some .ships may be speedily sent away with .\nnc8 .Animimition and Materialls for warre, to hnue
the plantations which is in great danger to be lost, and the very customes tliat will bo due to bin
Majesty at the Ketumo of the merchants Ships will pay the charge of his undertaking with an
ouerplus which ships will alsoc be in danger to be lost, and .soe begging yo' Lordships pard«in,
J remfcyiic, Right honno'"'*

Yo' Lordsliips most humble semant,

John Knight.
1G73.

Westminster /

the L'f»"'s'*' lf,7:i \

To the Uiglit honno'-'' .Anthony
Earle of Shutrtsbury Lord
Chonccller of England, these.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : lU. 211

Beport of the Council of Trade, d'C, reirpecting the Eecapjture of Xew-Yorh.

[ Board Journals, CXXII. C5. ]

To THE King's Most Excellent Majestv

The Opinion & humble Advice of yo' Ma"" Counc-ell for Trade and Forreigne
Plantations

Maij it please yo'' Ma'"

The Earle of Shaftesbury President of this your Ma"" Councell liaving some time since
acquainted us with y' loss of New Yorke, w"" an intimacon how well it would become our
duties to inform ourselves more particulerly of y* state and strength of that place, and what
might be fitt for us humbly to offer to yo' Ma'" for y« reducing und'' yo"" jNIa"" Obedience a
Plantacon of so high concernm' to y' rest of yo' Dominions in America ; The Earle of Arlington
(one of yo' Ma"" Principall Secretaries of State) having also comunicated to us severall letters
concerning y^ taking of New York by the Dutch, in y' later end of July last, & iucouraged us,
to enquire farther into y" Posture of yo' Ma"" aftaircs in those parts relating thereunto. Wee upon
y' best infonnacon wee can gett, & ujion consideration of y= whole niatt»'r, crave leave humbly
to represent unto yo' Ma'''

1" That New York being a very good & y' only fortified Harbo' in all y' Nortliem Plantacons
of America, & bordering upon \'irgiuia & Mary : Land will not only bee a safe retreate for the
Dutcii in those parts, but give them an oppurtunity to have w"" great ease. Men of Warr, &
Capers cruising constantly before y' Capes of Virginia, & intercept all English Vessells trading
thither. By w'"" nieanes yo' Ma"" Customes (w'"" now by y' trade of those places amount yearly
to six or seaven score thousand pounds) will not be only lost, Put the plantations themselves
being hindred from venting their Tobacco, & receiving supplies of cloathing,tooles and servants
wilbe in great danger utterly to be ruined. To w*^"" y' oppurtunity y' Dutch will have of giving
them constant alannes, & making frequent inroads upon them, will not a little contribute, The
Inhabitants there by their scatter'd way of living and want of fortresses in a Country that hath
so many great and open rivers, being rendred utterl}^ incapable of making resistance, against
sudden iucurcons, where they will be lyable to be harrassed out, or made a prey to y'
neighbouring Eneni)'.

iJ'y Though New England bordering on y« other hand of New York by their number of
people & planting in townes & situacon of y' countrj% be more capable of making resistance, &
tlicrefore not so likely to be ruined by y* Dutch, yett there is noe less danger to yo' Ma""
affaires on that side, if y' Dutch shall continue to be their Neighbours, Since y* Inhabitants of
New England, being more intent, upon y' advancem' of their owne private trade, then y*
publique Interest of yo' Ma"" crowne and Governm' may if y*" Dutch continue a quiett possession
there, enter into comerce w"" them, whereby it is to be feared, they \v\\l at present divert a
great part of y* Trade of England into those Countries, & lay a foundation for such an Union
hereafi' between them & Holland as will be very prejudiciall to all yo' Ma"" Plantations, if not
terrible to England ittselfe.

3''' It is very probable that y*" English Inhabitants w"'' possess y' Eastern part of Long Island,
& are farr y* greater number have not yett submitted to y"' Dutch, nor will y* Enemy be in a

21^2 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

condicon to reduce them, till they have received new recruites from Europe, And therefore, if
force he speedily sent from hence, hefore they have yeilded themselves, they will bee ready,
& in a good posture to assist in y" retaking New York.

4'" That Barbados & y'' rest of yo"" jNI"" Plantations in y'' Carribee Islands depending upon
these Northern riantacons for y'' greatest part of their provisions, whereof noe small quantities
came from New York itselfe, must, if y"" Dutch keep Masters of those seas either be reduced to
extremity ; or else all that Trade come into New Englaudmen's hands by y'^ connivance &
confederacy of y"" Dutch, which vv-ould be of as ill consecjuence.

Wherefore wee yo"' Ma"" Councell for Trade & Forraign Plantations are humbly of an
opinion, That y* speedy reducing of New York is of great importance to yo"" Ma'"''^ Atfaires, To
w"'' purpose One 3'' rate. One 4"' rate, two 5"' rates, w"' 3 hired Merchant shipps each whereof
should carry upwards of 40 Gunns, 3 hreshipps, & GOO Foote Souldiers are absolutely necessary.

That the 3 hired Merchant shipps should have their complem' made up in good part of Land
men, that so as few Seamen as possible may be taken from yo'' Mh''"^ service in other places.

That y" 600 foote should be distributed into such Rlerchant Shipps as are going to Virginia,
to some of w"^"" itt may bee convenient that yo'' Ma'^' should lend some great gunns, by W^*" meanes
y" Fleet will not be onely strengthene'd, but yo'' Ma''" Forces more comodiously transported,
& y" Merchante siiips y' better secured.

That in order hereunto an Imbargo be presently laid ui)on all ships prepareing for Virginia,
Mar}- Land, & y'^ rest of y" Northern Plantations, That none be suft(?red to goe before this
convoy, and noiu^ then but strong and serviceable vessells, & that all such INIerchant shipps as
goe w"' this convoy be oblidged to follow your jMa''" shipps & to receive orders from them, as
if they were actually in yo'' Ma"'^' pay till this service bee over. And that y" Comanders & Officers
of yo'' Ma''" shipps and P'orces traine and exercise by y^ way (such servants and passengers as
are going to ^'irginia in y*^ Merchant shipps w'''' usually are a considerable number and may b\^
this meanes prove a good addition of strength to yo'' Ma""* forces.

That y" men of Warr carry w"' them such Stores of powder & other amunicon & pro\isions
as out of them y'' Forts in New York & Albany when taken may be supply'd w''' all necessaries
for their defence.

That for the better concealing of this design (y" secre.sy whereof wee humbly conceive to bee
of great moment to y*" success) noe more of y^ shipps sent bv yo'' Ma'"' upon this Expedicon saile
w"" y" Virginia Fleete out of y'' Thames then would serve for an ordinary convoy, but that the
rest of y^ men of Warr, and y" GOO foote Souldiers be in a readiness at Plymouth or some other
convenient Port in y'' West to joyne w"' y^ Virginifi Fleete, where y'' Comander in cheife is to
open his Comission and Listruccnns for this service & not before.

That all preparations for this Expedition be forth w"' taken in hand, that y-^ Fleete may be
going so soone as possible, that they saile directly to New York, and when they come w"'in a
convenient distance of that coast, they dispatch one of their smallest vessells to Road Island, «fc
another to y Eastern part of Long Island w"' su(;]i orders as yo'' Ma'^ shall think fit to send for
y" raising of Forces in New England cK- Long Island to assist in this designe.

That yo'' Ma'^ would be pleased to send order, 'I'hat if it shall please God to bless yo"- Ma""'
Amies with success, (w"'' from such a force wee have no reason but to exiiect,) and that New-
York be reduced under yo'' Ma"" Obedience, y" Dutch w^'' shall remain in that Colony be
removed farther up into y" Country from y" Sea side, at least as farr as Albany, their inhabiting

LOxNDON DOCUMENTS : III.

213

y* towne of Ne.w-Yorke being a great cause of y"^ loss of both Towne & Castle now, and as lone
as they shall stay there, there will be y^ like danger upon any occasion for y^ future.

All w'^'' wee in all humility submitt

to }'o'' Ma"" great Wisdome.
Arli\gtom

Rich Gorges
G. Carterett

Ed : Waller

Delivered by y* Secretary
to y^ R' bono"''' y* Earle of
Arlington y^ 15"' Novemb''
1G73.

Shaftesbury Presid'
T CuLPEPER vice presid'
William Hickman
H. Slingesby

William Hayes^ Affidavit ahoiit the taking of JSfeiv- Yorh

[New-York Papers, I. 114.]

Affidavit of M" W"" Hayes concerning y^ taking of New York.

This 2'^ of December 1G73 W"" Hayes of London Merchant personally appeared before nie,
& being by me e.xamined, did declare that he the said Hayes being a prisoner in Virginia, on
board the Dutch Admirall Euertson of Zeeland in Company w"" Biukhurst Admirall of
Amsterdam in company w"" hue other frigotts & a fire ship, who had taken eight Virginia
Merchant ships, & sunke fine after a hott dispute, & the saide Duttch fleete w"' their prizes
being goeing out of James River niett w"" a Sloope then come from New Yorke which sloope
they tooke & Examined the Master in what condicon the said New Yorke was as to Itt's defence,
& promised the said Master by name Samuell Dauis to giue him his sloope againe & all that
they liad taken from him iff he would tell them the true state of that place, who told them in
y^ heareing of this Examinant that New Yorke was in a very good condicon, & in all respects
able to defend itselfe hauing receiued a good supply of amies & ammunicon from his Royall
Highness the Duke of Yorke w"' aduice of their designe on that place w"^'' made them resolue
to steere another course, & not goe to Ne\y Yorke, when one Samuell Hopkins a passeno-er in
y* said sloope, & Inhabitant at Arthur Call in New England,' & a professor there did voluntarily
declare to y'= Dutch that what the said Dauis had iaformed was alltogether false, that New Yorke
was in no condicion to defend itselfe ag' the Dutch, that they had few canons mounted and those
that were upon such rotten cariages that one discharge would shake them to peeces & dismount
the Canon ; that there were but few men in amies in the ffort, that any considerable number
could not be easily drawne together, that the Governo"' was absent, being gone to Canedicott to
visitt Governo'' Winthorpe all w'^'" encouraged the Dutch to visitt that place, w'=^ was presentlv
taken by thein : Where the said Hopkins yet continues, & had encouraged the Dutch to
proceede to the takeiiig of Arthur Cull haueing discovered to them allso the weakenes of that

' Acliter Col in New-Jersey. Hopkins was a resident of Elizabethtown, and was appointed Clerl; of tlie Court at that
place by Colve. New-York Colonial Jlanuscrijtts, XXIII., 48 ; Albany Records, XXIIL, 305. — Eu.

214 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

place : And this Examiiiant saith that the said Hopkins had tbrmerly made his aboade w">
Cap' James Cartrett, & farther saith not.

This Examinacon was taken the day and
yeare abouesaid. pme.

Edwyn Stede.

Warrant of the Dul-e of Yorl to Sir Allen Ap-slei/.

I Ncw-Tork Kntrifs, CLI. 1. ]

James Duke of York and Albany Earle of Ulster &'^ ' .

Whereas I have thought fit to direct y'= laying out of severall sums of money in all to the
value of .£1300 sterling for the carrying on of my service at New York in America in manner
foil : viz' To buy Cloaths for one hund'"^ sold" and officers according to the directions of JMajor
Andros, which afterwards he is to take care to discount to Me out of the said sold"'^ and officers
pay ; To give the sum of £iO as Bounty money from me to y'' Sold" y' came from New York
and have layen expecting an opportunity to retorne thither till now ; To buy a Chyrurgions
chest and other necessaries and for incident charges in raising and shipping the sold" & such like ;
y*^ remainder of the said ^1300 to be laid out in buying a fitting cargo of goods such as may
best turne to ace' in New York by tradeing there, which is to be laden on board the ship Castle
Frig' now fitting for that voyage, and consigned to the care of Major Andros and M"' Dyre for
my ovvne use and benefit to be employed as shall seeme best to them. And all the said goods
as well for the sold" cloaths &"= as for the cargo are to be brought here by the assistance and
with the advice of Rich'' Downes Esq'^ who hath formerly been employed by Me in the like
nature. Now these are to will and require you to pay the said severall sums above mentioned
be they more or less, not exceeding y"" sume of ^'1300 in the whole unto the said JNIajor Andros
or Rich'' Downes, Esq' respectively, according as they shall require the same to be by them
employed for my use as aforesaid and no otherwise ; for which this with their Rec"' shalbe your
sufficient discharge. Given uud"' my hand at Windsor this G"" day of June 1G74

James.
To S' Allen Apsley Kn' my ') , ' ■ ^

'J'rer and Rec'' Cenerall i ■' ' ' .. -

LOxXDON DOCUMENTS : III. 215

Commission of Major Ednuind Andross to he Governor of Neiv Yorh.

[ Xpw-Tork Papers, I. 171. ]

James Duke of Yorke and Albany, Earle of Ulster, &"= Whereas it Iiath pleased y"^ King's
most E.xcellent Ma'-" my Soveraigne Lord and brother by his Lett" Patents to give and "-rant
unto jNIee and my heyres and assignes all that part of y'' Maine Laud of New England ben-ining
at a certaine place called or knowne by y^ name of S' Croi.x next adjoyneing to New Scotland
in America and from thence extending along y<= sea Coast unto a certaine place called Peniaquiu
or Pemaquid and soe up the River thereof to y= furthest head of the same, as it tendeth
Northwards and extending from thence to the River Kinebequi and soe upwards by y" shortest
course to y*^ River Canada northwards. And also all that Island or Islands comonly called or
knowne by y' severall names of Matowacks or Long Island scituate lying and being towards y^
West of Cape Codd and y« Narrow Higansetts abutting upon y^ inaine land betweeue y'^ two
rivers there called or knowne by y^ severall names of Conecticut and Hudsons River too-ether
also w"" y^ said river called Hudsons River and all y= laud from y^ West side of Conecticut
river to y'' East side of Delaware Bay, and also all those severall Islands called or knowne by
y« name of Martine Vynyards and Nantukes otherwise Nantukett, together with all the Lauds
islands soiles rivers harbours mines mineralls quarryes woods marshes waters lakes fishinn-s
hawking hunting and fowling and all royaltyes and proffitts comodityes and hereditaments to y*"
said severall islands lands and premisses, belonging and apperteyneing with their and every of
their appurtenancies : To hold y" same to my owue proper use and behoofe w"" power to
correct punish pardon govern and rule y' inhabitants thereof by my selfe or such deputyes
Comiss" or officers as I shall think fitt to appoint, as by his Ma"" said Letters Pattents may
more fully appeare. And whereas I have conceived a good opinion of the integrity prudence
ability and fittnesse of Major Edmund Andros to be employed as my Lieutenant there, I have
therefore thought fitt to constitute and appoint him y'' said Major Edmund Andros to bee my
Lieut' and Governour within y« lauds islands and places aforesaid to performe and execute all
and every y-" powers w-^"" are by y*' said letters Patents graunted unto Mee to be executed by
Me my Deputy Agent or Assignes To have and to hold y= said place of Lieutennant and
Governour unto him y' said Edmund Andros Esq'' but dureing my will and pleasure only.
Hereby willing and requireing all and every y" inhabitants of y" said lands islands and places
to give obedience unto him y*' said Edmund Andros Esq"' in all things according to y" tenure of
His Ma" Letters Patents. And y" said Edmund Andros Esq' to observe follow and execute
such orders and directions as he shall from time to time receive from myselfe. Given under
my hand and seale at Windsor this first of July 1674.

James.
By command of His
Roy" Highness

Jo : Werden.

216 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

. ■ • ■ Insti-yciio)tA' for Gov.ernor AiuIj-o-h-s.

[ N'ew-Tork Eulries, CLI. 4. ]

Instmccons for Edm'' Aiidros Esq'' my L' Govern'' of Long Island, New York and
my adjac' territories in America.

1. Yon sliall together with these Instructions receive a copie of His Ma'* Patent for granting
unto Mee Long Island and some part of y* Continent adjacent by w*^"" you will see how far y"'
territor}' doth extend W'' is comitted to your chardge ; besides such otlier accessions as have
been gained by amies w''' are not agreed by Treaty to be surrendered.

2. When you shalbe arrived at New Yorke you shall take possession thereof in my name from
those Dutch who have lately seated themselves there and are oblidged by y"' Article of His
Ma'^ last Treaty of Peace w"" y*' States Generall of y'= United Provinces to surrender it in y'' same
condicon that it was at y^ time of y^ publication of y<^ said Treaty.

3. Being possessed of New York (and in vertue thereof, of y"" territoryes thereunto belonging)
you shall by all possible meanes satisfy y'' inhabitants, as well Natives as Straungers as English
that your intention is not to disturbe them in their possessions, but on y* contrary that yo''
comeing is for their proteccon and benefitt, for y*" encouragement of Planters and Plantations
and y' improvement of trade and comerce, and for y" preservacou of religion justice and equity
amongst you.

4. And y* better to perswade y" Inhabitants of y*" sincerity of yo'' intencons herein, you are
in y* first place to take care y' a strict discipline be kept among y" Sold'" and Officers und'' yo''
Comand, severely punishing any disorderly or debauced proceedings among them, thereby to
avoyd all cause of Complaints from y' Inhabitants and at y'' same time to invite y'" by yo""
example to live soberly and discreetly in theire severall vocacous.

5. You are not to molest or vex any person of y"^ Inhabitants there, upon pretence ol' tlieir
haveing lately dealt treacherously in assisting Eveson or his party in takeing y* Fort or in
giveing him intelligence of y*" condicon thereof, thereby to invite him to the attempt (except such
person haveing offended shall prove to be an Englishman, in w'='' case onely you are to [iroceed
against him to y*' forfeiture of his estate, or as y'' law shall deternnne) But if you shall lind any
of y' Dutch (or other Ibrreiguers) inhabitants have been active in y* matter, you shall take care
to observe them more circumspectly hereafter, and if they be posted in any place of strengtii
where the continuance of persons of doubtfull affections may be dangerous, you shall by all
lawfuU means induce them to remove to other places as beneffciall- to them but less hazardous
to y" publick safety.

6. You are to dispose of y'' sold''' und'' yo'' comand according as you judge fittest for y^ security
of yo"" goverumS takeing speciall care of y'^ Forts of New York and New Albany as being places
upon w"'' (in a manner) wholelj'^ depend y* safety and trade of y" whole countrj'.

7. You shall give all manner of encouragement to planters of all Nations, hut especially to
Englishmen, to come and settle und'' Yo'' governm', and you shall assigne them lands, cillier of
the unplanted or of such planted lands as shalbe confiscated from time to time, by the crimes
and convictions of the former possessors, or shall escheate to Me ; makeing this difference, that
such as shalbe settled in lands formerly planted, be obliged to certaine services (gratis) for y^ ease
of y" governm', beyond what y" others are oblidged to, and if you can reserve out of y^ confiscated

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 217

lands and others, sufficient for y" maintenance of y= governem', you shall doe good service in
applying the rents of them to that use.

S. Your next care must be to settle y" Publique Paym'^ and impositions, and the course of
justice for determining all differences amongst the Inhabitants and others und'" yo' jurisdiction.
For y<' Publique Payments in reguard upon y" best enquiry that can be made here into y= state
of trade in those countryes and y^ causes y' may have been most efficient in y* delay of those
improvem" w'^'' it hath been long hoped might be made therein ; it seemes necessary to make
some abatem'^ in y^ customes, asvvell to encourage those who are already settled there, as to
invite others (especially His JNIa'' subjects) to trafficke and inhabitt \v"= you ; therefore it will be
convenient that you have these Rules following : —

Ru/cs cstahlhltrd for >/ Cua/nmrs <tt New York.
Forraigne Goods imported to New York are to pay as Iblloweth, viz"

cSL'efS'NeVYork ^- All Goods (except such as are here particularly rated) shipped in Engl" or

in any of the English Plantations when imported into New York, are to pay
Two p'' Cent ad valorem ; but if it shall appeare that any ship came from any other country to
England w"" a cargo of goods and paying her Customes there, proceed thence for New York w""
y' said cargo, y^" the goods of such cargo to pay Ten p"" cent ad valorem.

All those goods goeing up Hudson's River to pay Three p'' Cent ad valorem over and above
y'' Two p'' cent at importacon to New Yol'k.
hamCnetoa'oul 2. Salt (except it be for y-^ fishery) at importacOn to New York to pay Three
OTder' to'th"'fn"''Sfu p'' Cent ad valorem and nothing more at goeing up y« River

may be comprelicniled ttt- n n , mi 'n* -r-^ tx.

amongst other noods 3. vV mes iroui auv Port to pay len shuhnc-s p"" Butt or Pipe.

paying onlv 3 pr.teut: t%, t ■, r, ■ ■ ^

a<iv:i:- Brandy and other Spu-itts to pay nfteene shillin<is p"' Hoa'shead.

(signcti) Jo. \^ ERi)EN. •' ^ 1 ./ o 1 ;:^

Rum to pay six shillings p"' Hogshead.
All those liquors goeing up Hudson's River to pay y'= same rates againe at goeing up y«
River as they paid at coraeing into New York.

Goods of the Country comeing into New York are to pay as foUoweth viz'

1. Beaver p'' merchandable skin to pay one shilling three pence p"' skin. All other furrs skins
and Peltry to pay propornationably to Beaver.

2. Tobacco of y' growth of y"= place if it goes for England to pay two shill. p"^ Hogshead ;
but Tobacco of y' place, if it doe not give bond to come for Eug"* according to y' Stat, of 25
Rs. Car. 2. is to pay in Tobacco, one peny p'' weight.

3. All goods, both of y^ country and forreigne goods to be und' y^ same regulacon and pajTu"
in Delaware River as in Hudson's River.

Lastly. Thesp Rates to hold good for three yeares to comence from y" arrivall and publication
of y™ at New York.

Provided, ueverthelesse, y' all utensills such as spades, axes, plowshares, shovells, and such
like as shalbe necessary and imployed about y' improvem' of Plantacous shalbe exempt from y'
paying of three p"' Cent ad valorem at their going up the River.

Li what relates to other payments of Publique nature, such as are excise, benefitts from a
publique Weigh-house, merketts, portduties, pilotage, fines, ameraciam" &*= or soe many of
Vol. m. 28

218 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

them, or such like as upon enquiry you sliall iind have been used and gathered by Coll. Nicholls
and Coll. Lovelace, you are by some temporary ord' to continue for six or twelve months,
which you may afterwards renue for G or 12 months more (if in y'= interim you shall not
have received ord" from me therein, declareing y' yo' intention is to send to me ; but in y'' mean
time it is of necessity y'.they continue their paym" and by y' means it is probable they will more
cheerfully submitt to any part vv'^'' shall seeme greivous to y"" whereby you will have y* more
time to settle all things.

As to y* course of Justice you are to take care y' it be administered w"" all possible equallity
w"'out regard to Dutch or PZnglish in their private concernes, it being my desire as much as
may be, that such as live under your governm' may have as much satisfaction in their condicon
as is possible, and y' w"'out y" least appearance of i)artiallity, they may see their just rights
preserved to y™ inviolably.

i\nd as to y'' foi'ines of Justice, I thiukt' it best for you to pilt in execution such lawes rules
and ord" as vou lind have been established by Coll. NicholLs and Coll. Lovelace, and not to
vary from them but upon emergent necessities, and y'' advice of yo'' Councell and the gravest
& experienced persons there ; and if any such alteracon be made, that it be only temporary for
a yeare, and if it be not conlirmed iiy me within that time, then to be utterly voj^d at y" end of
that yeare and of noe force at all, as if such alteracon or new law never had been p''mitted. I
therefore recomend to 3'ou to continue y* Couris of Justice, as they have been established and
used hitherto. And as to y" choice of Magistrates and Officers of Justice, I must referr y' to
yo"' prudence, w"^ when you shalbe .upon y"^ place, will best direct you to those persons w''''
have most reputacon both for their abilities and integrity, and ibr those reasons most acceptable
to y*' Inhabitants. But you are not to make any officer for above one yeare or otherwise y"
during pleasure.

9. You shall not lolt to farme any part of y"^ public[ue impositions or revenue for above one
yeare, if it shalbe found fitt to farme it ; of W'' as yett can be made noe judgment.

10. For your better prosecuteing these Instruccons and better advanceing y' good of y"" place
& territory w"^ I have comitted to yo'' trust and care, you shall choose to yo'' selfe of y'' most
prudent persons inhabiting w"'iu yo"' governm' a Councell consisting of such a number as you
shall hnd convenient, not exceeding the number of Ten, w"' whom you shall consult upon all
extraordinary occasions relateing to my service and y' good of y"^ country ; who shall hold their
respective places dureing my pleasure, (unless they shall forfeit y" same by some crime
rendering them unworthy thereof) W'' Councello'* as allsoe y*' Magistrates and all j)ersons in
places of benefitt, before they enter upon y'' execucon of their offices, shall take y" Oath of
Allegiance to His Majesty and of that fidelity to my selfe, as alsoe y' peculiar to his office.

IL You shall permitt all persons of what Religion soever, quietly to inhabitt w"'in y"
precincts of yo'' jurisdiccdn, w"'out giveing y'" any disturbance or disquiet whatsoever, for or by
reason of their differring opinions in matter of Religion : Provided they give noe disturbance
to y'' publique peace, nor doe molest or disquiet others in y"" free exercize of their rehgion.

12. In assigneing lands to new Planters you shall as nere as you can observe the rules and
propositions given to planters by those of New England and Maryland, that soe at y* least
Planters may have equall encouragem' to plant w""in yo'' precincts as in any other neighboring
colony ; in w'^'' you are to reserve some rent to Me, y'^ proporcon whereof must be left to
yo'' discretion u\)on tiie place and discourse with y' Planters. And you shall take what care you
can to settle a good correspondence w"" y" neighboring English Plantacons as well those of New-
England as those of MarylaniL

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 219

13. You are to send me by tlie first opportunity a Map w"' y" exact description of y^ whole
territory und'^ yC governm' w"" y^ several] Plantacons upon it, and also y* Fortifications where
any be. And you are likewise to send Me a list of all y'' officers employed under you in y°
governm' tog:ether with all publique chardges and y" present revenues, w"' y* probability of y^
increase or diminucon thereof und' every head or article of yo' list.

14. You are to take y" best advice you can, and to transmitt an Account to I\Ie of y^ most
easy and speediest meanes to lessen y'' chardge of y' governm' w"'out weakening it or hazarding
it ; that soe by degrees I may reape from thence some advantages, in retume for y* great
expence and trouble I have been at in protecting that Colony.

15. When opportunities shall offer themselfes (as I am informed they frequently doe) for
purchaseiug great tracts of land for Me from y* Indians, for small sumes ; you being upon y«
place can best judge of y" convenience or prejudice may arise to Me, either in embraceing or
declineing those opportunities : and therefore I referr y' particular wholely to yo"' discretion w""
y" advice of yo"' Councell.

1(3. In case of your death (w'"" God forbidd) my will aiul pleasure is, that Leiu' Anthony
Brockholes shall succeed you in y*" governm' of New Yorke Long Island and y^ rest of y* lauds
uud'' yo'' trust and care, and y' he put in execucon these instruccons in y'' same manner as yo'"
selfe might or ought to doe.

17. Lastly ; notwithstanding any clause or article in y* body of y"" laws of New Yorke, to y«
contrary. All Warr'% writs, executions, Sc" shalbe continued to riui in y" Kings name, as hath
been practized by Coll. Nicholls and Coll. liOvelace.

Given under my hand and Seale at Windsor y' 1" day of July 1G74.

Commission of Major Andros to he Captain of a Company of Foot.

[ New-Tork Entries, CLI. 3. ]

To Major Edm'' Andros.

Whereas the King my soveraigne Lord & Brother hath been pleased to permitt the raising of
a Company of Foot to be transported unto New Yorke in America av""*" His Ma'^ hath been
pleased to grant unto Mee by Letters Patents. And whereas out of y" good opinion I conceive
of you I have thought fitt to constitute and appoint you to be Captaine of y^ said Company of
Foot Soldiers consisting of one hundred men besides Officers These are therefore to will and
require you to take into your charge and comand the said Company as Captaine accordingly
and duely to exercise the said Officers and soldiers thereof in armes and to [use] your best care
and endeavours to keepe y"" in good ord"" and discipline. Hereby willing and conmianding them
to obey you in all things as their Captaine. And you likewise to observe and follow such ord"
and directions as you shall from time to time receive from my selfe. And for soe doing this
shalbe yo"" Warr' Given und' my hand and Seale at Windsor y* first of July 1674.

220

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Estahlishment of Pay for tlte Military at ISfeiv- Yorl\

[ New-York Enlries, OLI. 10. ]

An Establishm' of Pay for y'^ Officers and Sold" of ray Colony of New York in
America, to comence from y" time y* Sold" come on board, and to be paid at
New York, and estimated after y' Rate of Beaver there.

Pee Diem.

Pe

R Mensem.

Feu Anxtm.

£

00
00
(10
00
00
00
OS

08
08
03
Oi
04
02
OO

d.

00
00
00
0(j

00

00
OS

,£

11
11
04
01)

05

04
04
04
0(5
12
1(5
0(5

</.

00
00
00
00
00
00
08

£

145
145
054
081
072
036
1213

s.

12
12
12
18
16
OS
06

d.

00
00
00
00
00
00
08

01

16

02

134

12

08.

1750

04

08

00
00
00
oil
00

0-2
04

0(1
02

00 •

(JO

OG

08

00

02

0.1

03
09
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IC
12
10
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Ifi

00
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036
072
045
121
036

08
16
10
06
08

00
00
00
OS
00

A ChaplniiK'

A Stur« Keepi-r

Given und'' my hand at Windsor this first day of July 1674.

Commission of Anthony Broclholes to he first Lieutenant of Major Andros^

Company of Foot.

[ New-York Enlrics, CIJ. 3. ]

To L' Anth : Brockholes l"' L' to Major Andros Esq'' C of a Company of
Foot Bold" raised for y^ defence of Aew York in America.

Whereas I have thought fitt out of y" good opinion I have conceived of you to appoint you
to be first Leiuten' of y'' Company abovementioned These are therefore to will and require you
forthw"" to take upon you y^ Comand of first Leiuten' of y"" said Company accordingly and duely to
exercise y* oificcrs and sold" of y*' same in Armes according to y" direccons of yo''Captaine,,and
to use yo"" best care and endeavour to keepe them in good ord' and discipline. Hereby
commanding them to obey you as their first Leineten' And you likewise to obey and follow
such ord"" and direccons as you shall from time to time receive from myselfe or yo"" said Captaine
according to y" discipline of war and y" trust rc[)osed in you. For w*^'' this shalbe yo'' Warr*
Given und'' my hand and scale at Windsor y'' S** day of Jidy iG71.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. Ml

Commission of Christopher BiMop to he Lieutenant of Major Andros' Compamj.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 3. ]

To Christoplier Tillopp L' to Edm'' Andres Esq'' &"=

Whereas I liave thought fitt out of the good opinion I have conceived of you to appoint
you to he Leiu' of y^ Company ahovementioned. These are to will authorize and require you
forthw"" to take upon you y* Comand of Lieu' of y° said Company accordingly and duely to
exercise y*^ officers and sold" of y^ same in Armes according to y"" direccons of your Cap' and to
use yo"' best care and endeavour to keepe them in good ord'' and discipline. Hereby comanding
them to obey you as their Lieu' and you likevpise to obey & follow such ord''^ and direccons
as you shall from time to time receive from myselfe or yo'' said Cap' according to y"" discipline of
War and y"" trust reposed in you. For w'''' this shalbe yo"' Warr' Given und'' my hand and
scale at Windsor the 2^ of July 1674.

Commission of Caesar Knapton to he Ensign in Major Ayidros' Company.

[ Xew-y,irk Entries, CLI. 4. ]

Whereas I have thought fitt out of y" good opinion I have conceived of you to appoint you
to be Ensigne of y^ Company whereof Major Andros is Cap'. These are to will authorize and
require you forthw"' to take upon you y" Comand of Ensigne accordingly, and duely to exercise
y^ officers and sold"'* of y" same in armes according to y* direccons of yo"" Cap' or other supeiior
Officers and to use your best care and endeavour to keepe them in good ord"' and discipline :
Hereby comanding them to obey you as their Ensigne, and you likewise to obey and follow
such ord' and direccons as you shall from time to time receive from myselfe, your said Cap' or
any other yo' superior officers according to y* discipline of Warr and y' trust reposed in you.
For w""*" this shalbe your Warr' Given under my hand and scale at Windsor 2"* July 1674.

Commission of William Dyer to le Collector at Nevi - York

[ New-Tork Entries, CLI. 4. ]

To W"" Dyre, gent : hereby appointed my Cheif Custom'' or Collecf of my
Customes at my Collony of New York and my other Territories in America.

Whereas the King my Soveraigne Lord and Brother hath been pleased by His Ma"" Letters
Patents und'' y*^ Great Scale of England to give and grauntunto me and to my heires and assignes
All that Island or Islands comonly called by y* name of Matowacks or Long Island together
w"" New York and severall other territoryes thereunto adjacent and elsewhere in America as

222 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

in and by y^ said Letters Patents may more at large appeare And whereas I have thonght fitt
to establish severall rates for y'^ Customes of such goods merchandizes and comodityes aswell
forreigne goods imported to, as goods of y' country comeing to New Yorke, I have thought fitt
out of y" good opinion I conceive of your integrity ability and fittness for that service to appoint
and constitute you, and I doe hereby appoint constitute authorize and impower you y* said
Will" Dyre Gentleman to be my Customer or Collect"" of my Customes to levy collect and
receive all and all manner of duties dues and i-evenues as shall accrew and arise from my
Customes of Long Island New Yorke and my other territories abovementioned according to y'
instruccons as you shall herew"" receive To hold y" said place dureing my pleasure only, w""
such fees perquisites and emoluments as are thereunto properly belonging and appertaineinge
and have been heretofore usually allowed. For w""'' this shalbe your Warr' Given under my
hand at Windsor y" 2<' of July (74)

Inst met ion-s' for 2Ir. Vii'e)\ ilie Collector at Ntw-Yorh.

[ Xcw-York Eiilrics, CLl. 11. ] ' -^ < »

Instructions for Will" Dyre gent, appointed Cheife Custom"" or Collect"" of my
Customes at my Colony of New York and my other Territories in America.

1" You shall from time to time soe long as you shall continue and he employed by Me in y"
said Office, well and truely collect, and receive all Rates Dues and Duties ariseing and payable
unto me for my Customes at New York &*' and to y' end you are to make entries of all goods
imported and exported and to keep exact accounts of all moneys by you received or goods in lieu
thereof, and make distinct and perfect entries into a Booke to be provided and kept, of the
Customes you shall receive of all goods and merchandizes as well forreigne goods imported to
New York as goods of the Country comeing thither, together w"' y"" names of y*" respective
persons from whom you receave y"" same w"' y" ships names and masters names.

2. You shall not give creditt or trust to any merchant or other person in y* forbearance of
ready money or goods in lieu thereof, in paym' of their Customes, but shall receave all customes,
upon passing entries, unless in such cases where you receive positive direccons from my Leiu'
Goveruour in y' behalfe, and you are to take especiall care that all y^ s'' Customes both in &
out be received in money or goods ad valorem as formerly hath been accustomed.

3. You shall dureing y'' time aforesaid make and give to my Leiu' Gover"" at New York a true
and just ace' of all such duties dues or moneys or goods soe by j'ou to be received, whether it
be from y"" Mercli' at New York, or sent you by y° Customr' of y° otlier ports of my said Colony,
as often as lie shall tliiiikc lilt to dcmaiid v'" same ; and well aiia truly to pay or cau.se to be
paid into my said Leiu' Gov"" all and every y"" said smne and sunies of nmney, as you shall
receive y" same ; takeing care to dispose of y*' said goods soe as may be best ibr my advantage,
by y* direccon of my said Leiu' Cover""

4. You shall at y* Feast of the Anunciation of our Lady in ever}' yeare, or w""in ten days
after, fully pay in and clear yo"" accounts w"' my said Leiu' (jov"" of all y"" moneys or goods by

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 223

you collected or clue to me for y* yeare ending at y^ Feast aforesaid As alsoe you shall call for
and state y* accounts of y= other ofHcers appointed by my said Leiu' Gov'' to collect my
Customes in all other ports of my said Colony that they may be delivered in and cleared once
every yeare together w"" yo'' owne.

5. You shall not' directly nor indirectly either in your ownie name or y*" name or names of any
other person or persons or in Company or Partnership w"' any other, trade as a merchant for yo''
selfe, or as a factor or Agent for any other, in or for any goods wares or merchandizes ; unles
by y^ especiall licence or p''mission of my said Leiu' Gover''

6. You shall graunt noe Bill of sight or sufierance for y^ landing of any goods or merchandizes,
but only to such persons who shall make oath before my said Leiu' Gover' or whom he shall
appoint to receive y* same, that they have neither invoice letf or other advice whereby to make
knowue y^ true contents of such goods for w"^ they desire such Bill of sight or sufferance ; unless
all y*^ goods shalbe brought into y' King's Warehouse.

7. In case of any difference arizeing 'twixt yo"' selfe or other inferior ( )incer, and the Merchant
or Trader, upon account of collecting my customes or estimateing y^ value thereof, such
difference shalbe determined by y" ordinary Magistrates of the place, or otherwise as hath
been hitherto accustomed.

Lastly, and in regard it may soe happen y' there may be some things omitted w'='' cannot be
soe well foreseen here, as observed by my Leiu' Gover'' when he shalbe upon y" place ; you
are therefore to observe and follow such further rules and direccons as you shall from time to
time receave from him for y' manageing and collecting of my said Customes. Given und' my
hand at Windsor y^ -J"^ day of July 1674. ,

Warrant (o prepare a Patent for Sir George Carteret for East Jersey.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 13. ]

Whereas the King my Soveraigne Lord and Brother hath beene pleased by his letters
Patents under the Great Seal of England to give and graunt to me and my heires All that
part of the main land of New England in America now called by the name of New York
together with Long Island and severall lands and territories in the said Lres Patents more at
large e^xpressed : And Whereas I have thought fit to give and conferr upon Sir George Carteret
Vice-Chamberlaine of His Ma" Household and his heires. All that tract of land adjac' to New
England and lyeing and being to y^ Westwards of Long Island and Manliatans Island, and
bounded on the East part by the maine Sea, and part by Hudson's River, and extends
Southwards as farr as a certaine Creeke called Bamegat, being about y^ middle betweene Sandy
Poynt and Cape May, and bounded on the West in a streight lyne from the said Creeke called
Barnegatto a certaine Ci'eeke in Delaware River next adjoyning to and below a certaine creeke
in Delaware River called Rankokus Kill, ^ and from thence up the said Delaware River to y'
Northermost branch thereof which is in 41 Degrees and 40 minutes of Lat. and oh the North

' " A stream south of Burlington." Whitehead's East Jersey under the Proprietors, 65. — Ed.

224 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

crosseth over thence in a streight lyne to Hudson's River in 41 Degrees of Latitude : These
are to will and require you fortiiwith to prepare a bill to passe my signature conteyning a graunt
of y* aforesaid lands to the said Sir George Carteret and his heires, reserving the annuall rent
of Twenty Nobles to me and my heires ; and you are to insert such apt clauses as may make
my said graunt ett'ectuall in law to the said Sir George Carteret and his heires. Provided that
this Warr' be first* entered with my Audif and for so doing this shalbe your Warr' Given und''
my hand at Wydusor this So"" of July 1674.

James.
To S'' Francis Wynnington Knt : my

Attorney Gen" or Sir John Churchill

my Soil'' Generall.

Pdition of the Pnyprletor-'i uf lieneclatfsivyck to the Duke of York.

'.:-'' [ New- York Entries. CLI. 14. ]

The humble Peticon of y*" Patron & Proprietors of y' Colony called Renselaerswick
in New Albany.

Shcwcfh

Whereas New York and Albany by y* last Treaty concluded between His Ma'''^ of Great
Britaine &'^ and y^ States Generall of y'^ L'nited Provinces, is to be restored unto His Sacred
Ma'^ ; the Petitioners most humbly doe make their addresse unto j'o'' Roy" High" und'' whose
imediate jurisdiccon and comand y^ said Colony of Reuslerswick is scituated, most humbly
craveing y* the said Colony w"" the neighborhood called y" Fuijck w""" according to y*^ ancient
priviledges and prerogatives hath been comprehended w"'in y" jurisdiccon and limitts of y'^ said
Colony, as yo'' petioners have enjoyed from y"" foundation of y'^ Colony, as they are ready to
make good by authentike and sealed letters Patents and Bonds, unto yo'' Roy" High" or such
Com"'* as yo"' Roy" High'^ shalbe pleased to appoint unto yo"" Petioners, most humbly craveing
y' y* same priviledges prerogatives and possession may be continued unto y'" and y' yo'' Roy"
High" may be pleased to cOmand his Govern"' Major Andros y' his Worship being arrived at
New Yorke may informe himself of y' antient rights jurisdiccon and priviledges of y*
abovementioned Colony of Renselaerswick, w'''' y^ L'' Patron and Propriators by y"" severall
Govern'' have enjo3'ed many yeares, and y* y" said Rlajor Andros may give yo'' Roy" High" a
full account and information of it, to y* end y' yo'' Roy" High"' graciously may be pleased to
grant unto yo'' petitioners such Letters Patents as yo"' Roy" High" according to his princely
wisdome and fiivour shall thinke fitt.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 225

Order referring the preceding Petition to Governor Andro-s.

[ New- York Enlrioa, CLI. U. ]

Whereas it appears by this herafter mentioned petition y' y^ family of y'' Renselaers doe
pretend to divers priviledges imunities and rights w"'in certaine lands of my Colony of New
Albany in America, y' particidars whereof cannot welbe deduced here, nor y' proofes soe
clearly made out as upon y* place itselfe ; I doe therefore hereby referr to you the said petit" w""
y^ whole matter contained therein ; reqnireing you as soon as conveniently you can after your
arrivall in those parts to hear and examine what shalbe oifered unto you by y° severall parties
concerned, and to make yo'' Report unto me thereupon, as favourably for y'" as justice and y"^
laws will allow. For w"'' y' shalbe yo'' Warr' Given und"' my hand and scale at Windsor y'
2:3. day of July 1674.

To Mnjor Edmund Andros my Leiu' )
and Govern'' of New Yoi-k &■= f

Dnl'e of \orh to Governor Andros in favor of the l?ev. 2Ir. Vein Henselaer.

[ New- York Entries, CLI. IC. ]

Major Andros

Nichalaus Van Renseslaer having made his humble request unto me, that I would recomend
him to be Minister of one of the Dutch churches in New York or New Albany when a vacancy
shall happen ; whereunto I have consented. I do hereby desire you to signify the same unto
the Parishioners at y' [place] wherein I shall looke upon their compliance as a mark of their
respect and good inclinations towards me. I am &".

23 July 1674.

Warrant to prepare a Grant for an Annuity to tlie Earl of Sterling.

[ Xe-n-York Entries, CLI. 14. ]

Wherea.s I have thought fitt to give unto Henry Earle of Sterline an Anuity of y" tenne of

his naturall life of .£300 p'' ann : payable halfe yearly and issueing out of y'

of^stertoed'idagr'ee'yl clcar remainder of y= revenue of my colony of New York in America after all

if by the Dukes favour , ,. , , , ., . , -^. p » n •

or countenance here he publiQue charogcs there uTst paid, 1 he hrst pavm' to commence irom v* time

could ohlaine any Em- ' ' o i 1.1 J

fact'iOTto'°eukeva?u''- ^^ "^^ "°^ Lciu' Goveru"' Major Andros shalbe quietly possessed of y' said

thiVa'uw"of''thta''aS Colony in my name : These are therefore to require you forthw"" to prepare

"signed) J. w. & grant or other fitting instrument for my signature, inserting therein all such

Vol. III. 29

226 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

clauses and provisoes as are proper and iisuall in such cases and w"^ may secure y' s"* Anuity
to y* s"* Earle as abovemenconed. For which y' siialhe yo' Warr' and it is to be entered
w"" my Audif w"'in one month after its date. Given uiid'' my hand at Windsor y' 30 day of
July 1674.

To S"' Francis Winnington Kn' my Attorney Gen"
or to S"' John Churchill Kn' my Solicit"' Gen"

Warrant antliorizlng Governor Andros to s-eize Colonel Lovelace' -s Estate.

[ Ni-w-Tork Entries, CLI. ir,. ]

Whereas it appeares by the accounts of Francis Lovelace Esq'' my late L' Govern'' of New
York, stated and audited by Thomas Delavall Esq"" my late Audif there, that there is due unto
me from y* said Francis Lovelace a considerable sume of money amounting to y'' sume of about
seaven thousand pounds ; and being informed y' y*" said Francis Lovelace hath some estate in
lands and houses by W^"" I may in some measure be reimbursed my said debt; These are to
will authorize aiul require you imediately after }'our arrival! at New Yorke w"' out losse of time,
fully to informe yourselfe what estate reall or personal! y" said Francis Lovelace hath at that
place, which haveing done you are by due course of law to possess your selfe thereof in my
name and to my use, and to receave y* rents issues and proffitts thereof untill I shalbe satisfyed
such sume and sumes of money as shall appear to you to be due and oweing imto me by y= said
Francis Lovelace. And for soe doing this shalbe yo'' Warr' (nven under my hand at Windsor
y 6'" day of Aug" 1674.

To Major Andros my L' and ) - "

Govern'' of New York. )

Order to pat the Dnhe'-s Lairs in force in Keio-Yorh

[ New-York Entriec, CI.I. 15, ]

WiiEKEAs there are hereunto annexed certaine Laws established by authorify of His Ma"
Lres I'atteuts graunted to me and digested into one volume for y'^ publiqne use of all y"
territories in America nni' my govenim' collected out of y^ severall laws in other His Ma'*
American Colonies and Plantacons, upon perusal! and consideracon of w*^'' it appeares y" tliere
may l)e an occasion to make some alteracon or amendm" in some particular clauses tliereof ;
These are tbei'efore to authorize and require you to put in execucon y said laws, except such as
shall liave appannit inconveniences in tlieni ; and after your settlem' at New York, w"" y'=
advice and lielpe of your Councel! can^fuUy to peruse and consider y* same, and if you finde it

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 227

necessary for y' ease and benefitt of y'^ people and y^ good of my service to make any
alteracons, addicons or araendm'' in y^ said laws, you are w"" y^ first opportunity to represent y*
same imto me, to y* end you may receave from me such ord" and direccons as shalbe necessary
for authorizeing you to put y* same in execucon. And for soe doeing y' shalbe your Warr'
Given und'' my hand at Windsor y' 6. day of August 1G74.

To Major Andros my L' and ]
Govern'^ of New York. |

Prodamation of Goxx-rnor Ainlvo-<i.

[New- York, C. D. C. J2. ]

Tiie first Proclamacon Confirming Rights & Propertys.

By the Governgur

Whereas it hath pleased his Majesty and his iLoyall Highnesse to send me with autiiority to
receive this place and Government from the Dutch and to continue in the command thereof
under his royall Highnesse who hath not only taken care for our future safety and defence but
alsoe given me his commands for securing the rights and propertys of the inhabitants and that I
should endeavour by all fitting means the good and welfare of this Province and depeudencys
imder his government. That I may not be wanting in any thing that may conduce thereunto
and for the saving of the trouble and charge of any coming heither for the satisfying themselves
in such doubts as might arise concerning their rights and propertys upon this change of
government and wholly to settle the minds of all in Gen" I have thought fitt to publish and
declare. That all former grants priviledges or concessions heretofore granted and all estates
legally possessed by any under his Royall Highnesse before the late Dutch government, As
also all legall, judiciall proceedings during that government to my arrivall in these parts are
hereby confirmed ; And the possessors by virtue thereof to remain in quiet possession of their
rights. It is hereby further declared that the known Book of Laws ibrmerly establisht and in
force under his royall highnesse government is now again confirmed by his Royall Highnesse
the which are to be observed and practised together with the manner and time of holding
Courts therein menconed as heretofore. And all Magistrates and Civill Officers belonging
tliereunto to be chosen and establisht accordingly. — Given under my hand in New York this
ninth day of November in the twenty sixth year of his Majesties reign annoq ; Domini 1674.

E Andros
Secryes Office Province of New Yorke

This is a true copy taken from the record of the book of entrys begunn October the 31"'

1674 pag. 13"" at the request of the Mayor & Aldermen of New York, this seventh day of July

169S :, Exaiat & comparat p

(Signed) David Jamison Secry.

2->8 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Coiniiiissioii dissolviiKj tlie late Council for Trade and Plantations.

[ Board of Trade Journals, I. 1. ]

Charles the Second, by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland,
Defender of the Faith, &", To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting : Whereas
Wee by Commission or Letters Patents under the great seal of England, bearing date at
Westminster the seaven and twentieth day of September in the four and twentieth year of our
Keign did constitute and appoint Anthony Earle of Shaftesbury and others, to be our Standing
Councill for all the affairs that concern the Navigation, Commerce and Trade Domestic] and
Forraine of our Kingdomes, And also of all our Forraine Plantations, (except Tangier,) with
severall powers and authorities in the said Commission or Letters Patents mentioned, as thereby
may more fully and at large appear, Now Know Yee that Wee for certaine reasons and
considerations us thereunto moving, have thought fit to Revoke and Determine, the said
Commission, And Wee Do, accordingly, by these Presents, revoke, make voyd and determine
the same, and all and every the powers priviledges and authorities thereby granted ; And we
do also will and strictly charge and command all and every person and persons Nominated
or any ways concerned in the said Commission to forbeare to act or intermeddle in any tlu!
affaires matters or things aforesaid by virtue or colour thereof: And W^ee do hereby authorize,
direct and appoint Benjamin Worsley, Esquire, Secretary to the said Councill, and all the other
person and persons who have or shall have any Books, Papers, or writings touching any matter
or thing acted or done by virtue or in pursuance of the said Commission or any way in debate
or cousideracon before them, forthwith to deliver or cause the same to be delivered to the
Gierke of our Privy Councill attending, whose receipt shall be a sufficient discharge without
any further or other warrant or direction whatsoever.

In witness whereof Wee have caused these our Letters to be made Patents : Witness
Ourselfe at Westminster, the one and twentietii day of December, in the six and twentietli
yeare of our Ilaigue.

IlAliKEIt.

Sir Jo'S'ejjh Werde)!., Secretary to the Diile of Yorl', to Gorernor Andros.

[ New-York Jinlrios, i\A. 17. ]

We hav(! not as yetl rec'' any letter from you since your arrivall at New Yorke, but y*" news
of y' is come to us severall wayes by y'= exchange news and i)articularly by 1\P De la Vail whose
correspondents in y« parts adjacent to you have found wayes to inform liim of most y' hatli
happened about y' time you arrived there.

I write y» cheifely not to loose y" oj)portunity of a sliip's passage tliitlier w'''' is now in y"
Downes or Dover Road to pay her i Custome, but moreover 1 will ackuowlcdge to you y' I'me
imd"" some impatience to hear from you what sort of computacon may \w maile of your future
felicities in a place w"^ I find represented liere under many ditrering characters; but most
especially I would faine know how far y' publicpie revemies are likely to support y'' publicke

LONDON DOCUMEN'J'S : lir. 2>9

chardge, wliat etiects j'ou tind I'roiu our hite iiiodfruteing y*^ t'ustomes, vvliat likelyhood there
is of drawing more Englisb to inhabitt in your governm' thereby to compensate the discouragem"
we give y' Dutch, and lastly whether y'= having obtained licences for a few ships to goe and
come directly 'twixt Holland and New Yorke was heretofore y*" great secret to rayse y" Customes
whereby to niaintaine y^ guarrison, and is still of y' indispensable necessity (w"^"" M' Delavall
positively asserts) as y' w"'out it y' guarison cannot subsist. The Customes as now rated, in
jM'" Delaval's opinion (who really is a very knowing man) not being likely to amount to neer soe
much as shall defray y" charge of y* governm'

I have ventured to give j^ou these hints afresh, but I make noe doubt yo"' owne observacon
there and experience will suggest to you many of greater weight ; and I hope you will not faile
by every opportimity to transmit them hither to

Sir, &'
S' James's ] J. W.

Feb^ y la"- 167i j

P. S. I had alhnost forgott to tell you y' we have as yet done nothing towards y"
adjusting Sir (Jeorge Carterett's pretentions in New Jersey, where I presume you will take care
to keep all things in y" same posture (as to y'= Dukes prerogatives & prolTitts) as they were in
your predecessors time untill you shall hear of some alteracous agreed to here.

Order /•rf'ern'/iij all ajfuir-s of I^Iautatio)i\ civ. to a CoinmiUee of the Fru'ij CouticiJ.

[ Privy Council Eegislcr, C. E. U. XI. 890. ]

Whitehall, y*- l^'h of March, 167t.

Present, — Lo. Keeper Earle of Carbery

Ea : of Bridgewater Lord Maynard

Earle of Craven Lord Berkely
yV Sec> Williamson

Cinnmillec if Tiadr timl Forrtiinn Plantations to have the IntcmJcnnj of all ulfaiis fornniiij under
y" care 0/ y" Coiincill of Trade.

The Right Hono''''^ The Lord Keeper of y" Create Scale of England this day acquainted y*
Board by his Ma"" Command, that his Ma"" haveing been pleased to dissolve & Extinguish his
late Councill of Trade & Forraine Plantations whereby all matters under their cognizance are
left loose and at large. Had thought fit to commit what was under their inspection and
management to the Connnittee of this Board appointed for matters relating to Trade and his
Foreign Plantations, viz' The Lord Treasurer, Lord Privie Scale, Duke of Lauderdale, Duke of
Ormonde, Marquesse of Worcester, Earle of Ossory, Lord Chamberlain, Earle of Bridgewater,
Earle of Essex, Earle of Carlisle, Earle of Craven, Viscount Fauconburg, Viscount Halyfax,
Lord Berkeley, Lord Holies, M' Vice Chamberlain, M"" Secretary Coventry, M'' Sec^ Williamson,
INP Chancellor of y* Exchequer, M"' Chancellor of y» Dutchy, & M"' Speaker ; and did

-^.{(> NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

particularly order that y^ Lord Privie Seale, the Earle of Bridgewater, Earle of Carlisle, Earle
of Craven, Viscount Fauconherg, Viscount Halyfax, Lord Berkeley, M' Vice Chamberlain, and
M'' Chancellor of y'' Exchecquer should have y'' immediate care & intendency of those afiairs, in
reo-ard they had been formerly conversant and acquainted therewith, And therefore that any
five of the last named Lords should be a quorum of y" said committee, And that their
Lordshipps meet constantly at least once a weeke, and make report to His ]\Ia'>' in Councill of
their results and Proceedings from time to time. And that they have power to send for all Bookes,
papers & other writings concerning any of his Ma'^' said Plantations, in whosesoever Custody
they shall be informed the same do remayne ; And his Lord? further signifyed his INLi'^'* pleasure
that Sir Robert Southwell do constantly attend y'' said Committee.

J. Ntcholas.

Diih)- (if Yorl' fo (iiinriior Andni-s:

INIajor Andros

There being a ship in y"" Downes bound foryo'' parts (or Boston) I make use of y' opportunity
to tell you I have reC* yo"' letter to my selfe and p''used yo" to my Secretary dated 20 Nov'' and
ye 4th and l?"" Dec'' last past and I give you these following answers to y^ particulars in those
letters w'^'" desire y""

First y", touching Generall Assembh'es w'^'' y' people there seen)e desirous of in imitacon of
their neighbour Colonies, I thinke you have done well to discourage any mocon of y' kind, both
as being not at all comprehended in yo'' Listructions nor indeed consistent w"" y" forme of
governm' already established, nor necessary for y" ease or redresse of any greivance y' may
liappen, since y' may be as easily obtained, by any peticon or other addresse to you at their
Generall Assizes (w'^'' is once a yeare) where the same persons (as Justices) are usually present,
who in all probability would be theire Representatives if another constitucon were allowed.

Next I approve of yo"" haveing besj)oke a Scale and Mace for y* Citty of New Yorke, y* chardge
whereof wilbe allowed you upon Ace' and it is well that you have y^ other Scale for y^ Province.

As to y" want of money for ordinary commerce w'''' you complaine of, there appeares not any
present remedy for y' inconvenience, unless I should be at y^ chardge of coyneing soe many
thousand pounds as 'tis not Convenient for me at present to lay out, but indeed if money
were coyned, unless of a lower rate y" that of your neighbours (w*^"" would y" impoverish yo""
country) it would soone be carryed away againe from you. My Secretary tells me y' upon
discourse with some merchants on y' head, he hath mett w"' a project menconed by y"" viz' to
send ^10000 in money, provided it should be taken of only in Beaver, in specie, at such value
as may compensate y" hazard they run and y' advantage that hath about y* comodityes w'='' you
usually barter for. But y' is (as I have said) only a notion as yett, and I thinke unless you
propose sonu' way from \\\vm-v. how to effect y» thing, it will have but little life from hence.

Touching y"^ Bouudryes of your governm' towards Connectecut you are in y^ right y' they
were settled by Comnr' in 1007. but truly y' papers of those transactions not being now present
w"- me (perhaps you have entrycs of y"' at New Yorke) I can only repeate to you what M"'

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 231

Delavall hath told my Secretaiy viz' y' y'' bounds of those of Connecticut are to be on y* edge
next y" of y" river Marrinac' northwards as far as they please, provided they leave y* river
where it inclines Westerly, soe as at noe time to approach neerer y" 20 miles to any part of
Hudson's river (or New York River) And y' (he sayth) was agreed y" by y' Com". But
whether it were or noe my opinion is 'tis best only to make accomodations of y' kind temporary,
soe if possible to preserve y= utmost limitts for me y' my Patent gives me a title to.

The next particular is about Salt, and I thinke y' 'tis w'l'out doubt when y" clause touching
y' Comodity in y*" rates of the Customes was alltered, it was intended y' all Salt used about
fishing should pay nothing, and y" rest for comon uses to pay 2 p"" Cent as other things doe ; but
in regard you have, by advise of your Councell, left it wholly out y' rates you have published,
and y' appeares, besides what may be applyed to y* fishery (w"^*" you will doe well to encourage
by all means imaginable) y* rest spent in j'o"' territoryes wilbe inconsiderable, I willingly approve
of yo' leaving Salt wholly free.

Lastly I shall lett you know that I am well satisfyed with your proceedings hitherto and y'
you are in quiet possession of y' place, but more especially at yo' conduct in reduceing to
obedience those 3 factious townes at y^ East end of Long Island ; hopeing you will take care to
see y" by degrees soe settled w"" y* rest und'' yo'' governm* y' y^ people may be w"'out
apprehensions of any injustice towards y™ and yo'' selfe secure in their willing compliance to y*
laws established. To w'''' end I referr it to you (w"" fitting cautions) to recompense or discourage
any whom you shall judge to have been instrumeutall or y' may be obstructers in your
perfecting soe good a worke.

Finally I recomend to your especiall care (as my Secretary hath done in his lettei's) y' you
will, w"" all y' speed and certainty you can, send me an estimate of all y* publique chardge and
revenue fixt or accidentall, y' by a just ballance thereof I may take those measures here y'
shalbe for my owne advantage and most for His Ma" service.

I am &"

S' James's )
6 Aprill 1(37-5 j

Committee of His 3IajeMy\s Council for Plantation Affairs to tlie Colonies.

[ Plantations General Entries, XXXII. 9. ] - . - '.-■

After our very hearty commendations to you His Majesty having in his wisdome thought fit
to supercede the Commission by which his Council of Trade and Plantations lately Acted and
thereby restoring all the business of that nature to its accustomed channel of a Committee of
His Privy Council. And his Majesty having more especially committed to a select number of
the Board whereof we are, the care & mannagement of things relating to his Plantations We have
therefore thought it convenient to give you advertisment thereof, and as we are by his Majesty's
command possest of all the books and papers of proceedings of the said Council so that we may
bee able to carry on Our observations and knowledge of what concerns tliat (Island or Plantation)

' Mamaroneck. — Ed.

232 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and bee still in a capacity to give liis Majesty an accoimt of the same. We shall expect from
you a clear & full accompt in writing of the estate and condition in which you found, and
entered upon that (Island or Plantation) as to the description of the country & commodities
thereof the laws and rules of government. The Officers civill and & Eclesiasticall and Military.
His Majesty's Revenue, The etiective force of his Majesty's pay, the number of Planters and
I'eople, & how many of them are men able to bare arms, the way of trade carryed on both
outward & inward & in the Country. The condition of the neighbouring Countries, and places,
and upon what terms you live with each other, and generally of all things which you in your
discretion whom His Majesty hath trusted with a place of that importance shall judge necessary
for our full information. And also wee pray and desire of you to transmitt unto us a Journal
of all things which have passed since your arrival there, and from tynie to tyme of what shall
occurre for the future in relation to and upon the distinct heads aforesaid And so not doubting
of yo' care to advise us in all things that may conduce to His Majesty's service and our better
discharge of the trust reposed in us, wee bid you very heartily farewell.

Your very loveing Friends
From the Court at Whiteliall
liie I 1 (lav of Aug: Kw-j.

Sir John ]\ en/i'ti, Krreldri/ lo lite Dttl'e of Yorl\ lo Governor Aiidnw.

[ Xo«-York Eulries, CLI. 1',). ]

Sir

I am in debt to you for two former of yo" of y"^ IS"" and 20"' of Febniary, as also for your last
of y' aO"" of Aprill w"* y" papers enclosed w"^"" I reC* by Capt. Burton to which I have not beene
able before now to rcturiie you an answer. I ibrnierly acquainted His Roy" H. w"" yo'' designe
of loadeing y'' Castle frigott w"' timber from New Yorke, upon yo'' being satisfyed by intelligence
from New England and Virginia of y'' impossibility of having her freighted from either of those
places. His R. H. seemes very well satisfyed w"" what you have done in y' particular, especially
it haveing beene undertaken by soe good advice and ett'ected w"" soe gi-eat care and prudence
by you tor y" best advantage of His R. H. interest.

The ship is safely arrived and y" timber and planke unloaded in His Ma" yard at Deptfbi-d ; it
is very good of its kind and comes seasonably for His Ma" service and soe consequently we
hope it is come to a good markett, for y'' quantity, although y^ product of it and y* benetitt of
y' freight will not upon y' best calculation wee can make countervale halfe y^ charge His R. FL
must be at in paym' of y'^ seamen's wages, besides y' victualling of y"" ship.

And now I am upon y^ article it falls in in}' way to acquainte you w"' a |ap,'r I m( t w"'
amongst those you sent me, purposeing a protest ag" Capt. Burton &*= At first I did not know
well what it meant, you haveing said nothing of it particularly in your Lre, but finding y' it
contained a complainte both ag" y'' Capt. and M% I did not thinke it proper for me to keep it froni
His R. H. knowledge. After I had done y% I endeavoured to Icame y'' tnie stowage of y" ship,
and sent to y' Masf Attend' and M' Shipwright of his Ma" yard, desireing them diligently to
survey y' ship from time to time as she was unloading ; who haveing done it w"' all manner of

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 233

care, they have restoi-ed [returned ?] a Certificate y' she was full and advantageously stored. I
have scene y^ ace' transmitted hither of y^ charge of y* cargo, for ■«'■='' y^ Duke seenies charged
w"" y° pay"" for it, after y^ rate of sterling money ; soe y' I presmne it is intended his R. H.
shall have creditt given him for y^ profitts of y'' goods it was bought w"" at y° same rate.

His R. H. has fully considered of y* reasons and grounds w"^"" induced you to p'mitt y* Dutch
ship (mentioned in yo'' Ire of y* 26"" of Feb'' 1674) to pass w"" her ladeing of y" plLnke and
pipe staves ; and is very well satisfyed w"" your care to comply punctually w"" y^ Acts of
Navigation. You doe very prudently in all matters of difficulty (as in this) to take y'' advice of
your Councell both for your owne safety and y' good of His R. H. Colony.

I have comunicated to his R. H. your Ire of the 20"" of Aprill 1675. w"" y^ copies of y"=
proceedings menconed in y" 3''<* paragraph of it, relateing to y* tumultuous meetings of some of
y' cheife of y' Dutch in y' city^ ; and his R. H. seems very well satisfyed w' yo"' care and
prudence in quelling and composeing those disorders w"" soe much calnieness.

He would have you endeavour upon all occasions to keeps y'' people in due obedience and
subjection, and all inclinations towards mutiny severely supprest, but relyes wholely upon your
directions not to impost any thing that's hard & severe upon y™ ; and therefore doubtless you
did very well to p''mitt y^ person y' soe earnestly peticoned for it, to be admitted to be sworne
upon his submission, and I hope y" rest will follow by his example.

I have shewed his R. H. y^ Mahakes proposition at Albany, who wishes your endeavours may
well succeed at your goeing up thither to settle matt" betweene y™ and y* French. It will be
of good use to us as well as y"" if you can bring to pass y' good understanding betweene y'" as
y' y^ French may not come on y' side y' Lake or River Canada to divert y^ trade or anoy the
Mahakes and his R. H. desires you will employ your best care and conduct in the well
management of an aftaire of soe great importance to his service.

His R. H. has taken notice of y^ stricter peace you have concluded with the three Southern
Indian Nacons, and as to y^ murther of D'' Reed- and his serv' he leaves it wholely to you to
deale w' y"" Indians for satisfaction against the malefacto''' in such maner as may best stand w'
y^ bono"' and safety of your government.

The last clause in yo' Ire of the 20"" of Aprill touching y^ Salt is long before y' answered to
you in his R. H. Ire of y^ e"" of y^ same month ; where you have his ord"' for leaveing it
wholely out of y^ booke of Rates.

The controversie touching y" Boston ship arrested by M"" Dyre seemeing to have in it matter
of difficulty, I thought it most adviseable for me to have y^ opinion of y^ Judge of y^ Admiralty
who haveing fully considered y* state of y^ case as you have represented it in your Ire of 15""
of Feb'' 167f hath declared his opinion to be, that y*" said ship if it came into y' possession of
y^ Dutch at any time by an}' maner of means dureing y^ hostilit}', was well judged to be a prize
by Govern"' Calue, and y' y^ Mayor & Aldermen did justly in affirming his judgement, and that
you and your Councell cannot reverse it, y" possession of y* Dutch vesting in y" an absolute
property of all y" moveables they tooke from us dureing y' late warr. This Sir Leolin Jenkins
saith to be soe, both by y* generall law of Nacons and by y' 4"" article of y" treaty at Breda W""

' Their names were, CoRNEtnis Steenwyck, Johannes Van Bbugh, Johannes de Petster, Nicholas Bayard, Egidius Llyck,
William Beeckman, Jacob Kip, and Antonio de Mill. Their offense consisted in petitioning that they may not be obliged to
take the Oatli of Allegiance, nor bear arms against Holland. The proceedings against them will be found at length in Kcw-
York Council Minutes, III., Part ii. ; KewYork Colonial Mamiscripis, XXXIV., XXXV. — Ed.

- " Dr. RoADES. " See, Governor Andros' letter to Captain Cantwell, in Warrants, Orders, d-e., (in Secretary's Office,)
III., 34.— Ed.

Vol. m. 30

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

was confirmed by y' of Westminster y" IQ"" of February 167f. But as to y' moveables, I doe
not linow but y'' Ire sent from y^ Dutch Admirall Evertson to y' Mayor and Aldermen of New
Yorke before y^ rendition of y* place (promiseing to all men their estates and liberties) may
make an alteracon in the Case, they haveing had upon y' (it seemes) all their estates secured
to y".

I have likewise received Sir Leolin Jenkins' opinion as to y' other poynt touching Calue's
judiciall proceedings, who sayes that they are not to be questioned either as voyd or unjust,
dureing his power there, nor is it to be inquired into what comission he had to erect Courts of
Justice or execute y* will of his superiors (or his owne) dureing his possession of y* place, 'tis
sufficient for him and bindeing for us y' his superiors doe owne y* haveing placed him there
jure belli. If he hath done us wrong (though ags' articles) while we were imder his govemm'
wee are now without remedy (unless it be from the mere bounty and generosity of y* States
General!) the peace haveing established an iimnestie as extinguishes all right and pretence of
accon or peticon or redress on either party. These points being thus stjited and resolved by
S'' Leolin Jenkins, I doubt not but you will thereby be able to knowe how to governe yo"' selfe
as to those particulars ; or if for other reasons you thinke it expedient to be slow in determining
things of y' nature, y' you will then use such fitting cautions as at last may not leave you lyable
to censure, and without plausible reasons to justify your doubting and delayes in matf' of soe
great difficulty.

As to what you propose about peeces of f to be marked by you to pass for such a value as
you shall put upon y™, I'me informed that they may be current money any where, according to
tlieir true value (as now in England) but noe proclaraacon by y"" Duke ought to make y™ soe
without y^ Kings express authority to him under y" Great Seale for y' purpose ; y* like also for
putting any stamp or marke u]wn y" ; soe as it is not worthy your further thoughts what proffitt
will result from these things before we goe about to gett the King's grant to y' etiect.

I'me also told that noe law prohibitts y' sending our brass farthings thither if it be worth y'
while to carry y" thither.

His R. H. is well pleased to hear y' you have probable hopes of setliug y' fishing trade, and
desires you will not be wanting to employ all your care and industry towards y' advancement of
it, he lookeing upon y' fishery as y° most likely thing to produce wealth and power at sea for
yo"" plantacon, and now you are at liberty to dispense with y^ clause about Salt I hope you will
not find much difficulty y* next season in y' undertaking and proceeding in it.'

Capt. Salisbury is arrived, and as soon as I have y^ opinion of his R. H. Com" and his owne
commands upon y^ severall particulars of y" letters Capt. Salisbury brought to us, I shall not
faile to send you a full and clear ace' of all. In the interim I take an opportunity that now
offers to present my service to yo"' selfe and Lady and to assure you y' I am

Sir, Yours &'^

J. W.
S' James's
IS"" Sepf 1675.

' A Compiiny was iiuthoi-izecl to hu formed in New-York, Jimuary 8th, 1675, " for Sottleiiig a Fishery in these parts" ; the
shares were fixed at ten pounds eaeli, and the Stockholders were to meet on the 2d of February following, to elect officers, &c.
New-York Council Minutes, III., Part ii., 10. This is believed to be the first Joint Stock Company incorporated within the
limits of this State, for commercial purposes. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 23^

Diike of Yorh to Governor Andros.

[ New- York Entries, CLI. 20. ]

Major Andros.

I have considered of w' you have written by Capt. Salisbury touching yo"" demand of all the
land on the West side of Conecticut River, as being comprized within my Patent, w'^'' demand
I approve well of in order to preserve that title entire, w'='' the King hath conveyed to me.
But at the present for other reasons I am not willing you should proceed further in regard I
hope for hereafter more convenient means of adjusting the Boundaryes in those parts, and
in the interim though the agreem' by the Comm" in 1664 were never confirmed by me, I soe
far approve of the prudence of Coll. NichoUs at that time, as to admitt by noe meanes of any
neerer accesse of those of Connecticut then to the mouth of Marinac (or Mamaronocke) River
and along the edge of it : provided they come to noe place within twenty miles distance of
Hudsons River. But this I hint to you only for the present, not intending thereby to conclude
my selfe as to the right of the Case.

I have formerly writt to you touching Assemblyes in those conntreys and have since observed
what severall of your lattest letters hint about that matter. But unless you had offered what
qualificacons are usuall and proper to such Assemblyes, I cannot but suspect they would be of
dangerous consequence, nothing being more knowne then the aptness of such bodyes to assume
to themselves many priviledges w'''' prove destructive to, or very oft disturbe, the peace of y*
governm' wherein they are allowed. Neither doe I see any use of them W"" is not as well
provided for, whilest you and yom- Councell governe according to y' laws estabhshed (thereby
preserving every man's property inviolate) and whilest all tilings that need redresse may be
sure of finding it, either at y" Quarter Sessions or by otlier legall and ordinary wayes, or lastly
b}' appeale to myselfe. But howsoever if you continue of y^ same opinion, I shall be ready to
consider of any proposalls you shall send to y' purpose.

Since it is by the advice of yo'' Councell and what you judge best for your Conntreys that
you have taken of the two p' cent from the goods of the product of America brought into yo'
Port (and not specified in the rates I have established for the Customes) I approve of it ;
supposeing nothing of this kind is to remayne fixed beyond the three yeares at first designed in
which time you may be able to send me a cleere ace' of this whole affaire.

I shall be glad to have from you a more exact ace' of the revenue and charge of those
Conntreys, then that sent me in your letter of the 7"" Aug" last (which in many particulars
seemes only an estimate) since you have now put me in hopes that the government wilbe (at
least) able to support itselfe and ease me of the burden I have hitherto susteyned, soe much to
my inconvenience.

I refer you to my Sec^' letters for other particulars and send this to you by Capt. Salisbury of
whom I have had a good character, and therefore 1 would have you remember him upon any
fitt occasion for his advantage in my service. Dated at Whitehall the 28 Jan'' 167f.

2^^ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Si?' John Werden to Governor Andros:

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 20. ]

Sir

By the retume of Capt. Salisbury (whose stay here hath proved much longer than he
expected or desired) I am to acknowledge to you the rec' of sev^all of yo' letters, and that I
shall doe by answering every particular as well as I can.

Yours of the S"" June last mencons the scarcity of provisions w"^*" you impute to the want of
salt ; this I hope wilbe noe longer soe, in regard by takeing of the duty on salt, that hath
now all the incouragement tis capable of in it's importacon to you.

Tis certaiue that whilest the Act of Navigacdn stands in the way, it cannot be obtained to
have ships trade directly from Holland to yo"' parts ; and indeed the other part of yo'' proposicon
to have ships cleere at the out ports without being strictly searched is soe much opposed by the
Customers here (which I have found upon tryal and wiiose favorable report is of necessity, to
obtaine such a permission) that I looke upon it as wholely impracticable ; lor they will never
be perswaded but that many prohibited goods would then pass unseene.

Your rayseing the value of p. i is what I am not able to judge of, but I am told by
M'' Delavall that he thinks they may well beare 6". 6''. This is his single opinion, but you
certainely upon the place are the best judge, yet I suppose you remember in generall that the
rayseing of any money in a country far above its intrinsicke value, is a certaine way of debaseing
the Comodityes of that Country ; and therefore a kind of impoverishing it.

As for Connecticut Colony you may be assured we shall enter Caveats to prevent y^ passing
to them any Ne.w grants or priviledges till His R" H" be heard. And this leads me to take
notice to you of yo' late proceedings w"" tliem (which is indeed the maine thing conteyned in this
and yo"" other letters of the 28"' June last) and to adde to what you will see in his Ro" W letter
somewhat that hath occurred to me on discourse w"" the D'" Councell at law touching the state
of that Case. On the Dukes part you alledge that the Duke is intitled to all that the Dutch liad
in those parts, and that his Pattent doth expressly containe those j^laces claymed by you (I
distinguish not his pattents for the latter if it did convey a new right, yett most certainely it
conveys not any territoryes but those W"" he had before) and that tiie Pattent of Connecticut is
soe uncertainely bounded that it may as well extend to all as far as Virginia as to what they
now clayme. On the other side it is said to be pi'oved that they had possession of all or most
they now enjoy, before the Dutch were expelled from New Yorke, and that their Pattent must
be understood to be voyd wholely if it did not entitle them to the very bowells of their country
conteyned in that Pattent, and w"' they were actually in possession of at the passing thereof.
That tlieir Pattent was prior to the Dukes and soe confirmed in all their possession, the Duke at
y' time haveing noe pretence at all, and the latter Pattent not being of force to destroy the
former, and that Com" appoynted by the King in (64) settled y'= Boundaryes by vertue of an
authority under the Great Scale, w'''' though never confirmed by the Duke, yett was assented to
by his Leiut. Govern"' who sure would not have yielded to it, if His R" H" right had beene
cleere in y* poynt.

Upon the whole you will see that His Roy" H" is willing tilings should rest as they are at
present but he is not sorr}- you liave revived this clayme because jjossibly some good use may
be hereafter made of it.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. %§$

The Dutcli Ambassador M' Van Beuningen hath put in a memoriall into my hands, setting
forth that some of the Dutch complaine you impose on them the Oaths of Allegiance and
Fidelity, and will not declare as the late Govern'' did (and as the articles of surrend"" to Coll.
Nicholls he saythe import) that they should not be oblidged to beare amies against the
Hollanders. He therefore pray'd they might have the Oaths in as large a sence as was agreed,
or els leave to transport themselves and estates. I have by his R" H' approbation returned him
this answer: — That I know nothing of any such declaracon und"" the hand of any preceding
Gov'' and that the only article of y' kind amongst those of the surrend"' to Coll. Nicholls (which
I observe in a copy with me) says, they shall not be pressed to serve in war ag" any nacon
whatsoever, w'^'' doubtless was meant of pressing (as we press seamen) and not to exempt
inhabitants from beareing their proporcon of the charge in the militia, or from contributeing all
they can to y* comon defence of the Country ; and that whosoever pleased might withdraw
himselfe and his effects or estate freely from thence, when he pleased, paying his debts and
provided he hath not first incurred the penaltyes the Law inflicts after a legal! tryall for any
offence. And in conclusion I gave him a copy of two paragraphs in yo"" letters (y* last of the
24"" October last) wherein he sees all I know of that matter. This I suppose may give
satisfaction, but if not, and that he make any farther instances, I shall then desire that the
partyes may gett hither authentique coppyes of proceedings from New Yorke, if a reference to
you (by way of review) be not sufficient.

But upon this occasion I think it not unseasonable (though I believe it not necessary) to put
you in mind that it is his 11" High" intencons to have all persons whatsoever treated with all
humanity & gentleness tiiat can consist with the honour and safety of yo"" governm' to the end v'
where the laws doe inflict a punishment it may seeme rather for example to deterr others from
the like crimes, then to afflict the party punished, except where his malice appeares plainly to
aggravate his offence.

I know nothing like a project that I'me fonder of, then the hopes j'ou give me of setting up a
fishery at Long Island, w"'' I believe would be the most acceptable and the most beneficiall
improvem' that can be thought on, as well by the number of hands and shipping it will emplo}-
as by the great concourse of people it may draw to his R" H" territoryes.

I think I have formerly told you the value of the timber brought hither in the ship Castle
frigott ; it is ^£400. But at the same time the Duke paid of the wages of the officers and
seamen in all ^£500. and I feare is yett likely to pay for all the victualling w'''' I guesse mav be
^500. Soe as by this Ace' reckoning ^1300 cargo (besides what you had) y* Duke wilbe out
of purse .£2200 on this expedition for the repossessing New Yorke : which I should be
heartily glad to see in a fayre way of being reimbursed to him.

As to yo'' thoughts of bounding the Dukes territoryes Northwards by Canada, you will
doubtless doe well to looke upon them alwayes as being soe bounded, the Dutch having ever
claymed & never lost the possession of the same, and when any occasion shalbe to take out a
New Pattent (be it upon the better adjusting the Boundaryes with Connecticut or otherwise)
then care wilbe had of fixing this northerne limitt.

The like I may say to you as to Delaware Colony, though it seeme of more necessity than
the other, but it wilbe good you send us the distinct m.'irkes and boundaryes of those parts, as
well as any other that you think ought to be expressed in a Pattent («■='' you may best doe by
people upon the place who are acquainted therewith) and then we shall have the encouragem'
(at least) of goeing betf instructed to take out our new Pattent.

238 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

It may possibly be of use liereafter and therefore I desire you will send as good an ace' as
you can, what townes or territoryes on the West side of Connecticut River were actually under
the govemm' of Connecticut Colony in April 1662 : that being the time their Pattent beares date.

Dated at S' James's the 28"" day of January 167f.

Sir Jolin Werden to Governor Andres.

[New-York Entries, CLI. 21.]

Sir

I have for gott to mention in my long letter of the 28"' instant one particular w^i" I have been
informed of, and it is this.

I'me told that in the whole time of yo" predecessours in that governm' they never p''mitted
any Forreigners vessells to pass up y^ river of New Yorke to sell their goods up at Albany or
elsewhere in y* country, but oblidged them alwayes to sell what they had at New Yorke, thereby
not only secureing better the pul)lique dutyes at New Yorke, but inriching the people thereof
by giving them the opportunity of the first marketts and of keeping the Beaver trade within the
hands of the inhabitants of our owne Colony. Whereas 'tis said y* you p'raitt the Bosteners
and other strangers to goe up in their small vessells to Esopus and Albany and elsewhere as
freely as the very natural subjects of his R" High*' Colony.

I know not whether the thing be truly represented to me, or whether such ill consequences
attend it as are presaged by some, but finding it reported as a new thing I am not sorry for
y' opportunity to give you notice of what I heare and shalbe glad to have your reasons for a
proceeding different from what was heretofore thought best for the place, if my intelligence be
I am &■= S' James's 31 JanJ" 167f.

To Major Andros &''

Sir John Werden to Governor Andros.

[ Xow-Tork F.nlries, i:\A. -li. ]

Sir.

Since my last to you when Capt. Salisbury went hence, I have rec^ divers from you, y' freshest
whereof beares date y^ 21. May last, and omitting those parts of yo'' lr6s w* are narratives of
y^ proceedings of y'^ Indians &'' 1 shall as nere as I can answer the rest, whereto you seenie to
expect it from me.

But by y"^ way, I may owne to you y' yo'' forbidding y* sale of powder to any Indians except
y Maquas (whose friendship w"" you is necessary to be preserved) is very well looked on here,
since though our neighbours Christians deserve small courtesy from us, yet still theire being
Christians makes it charity tor us not to furnish theire enernyes w"" y'' opportunityes or meanes
to hurt y™

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 111. 239

I am glad to heare y' Dutchmen have willingly submitted at last, and taken y' Oath of
Allegiance as tendered ; and I suposed as much before, for I have never heard more of y' matter
Irom y^ Dutch Ambassad'' since y' first paper of w'''' I gave you an ace'

Both from yo"' selfe and AP Dyre in Aug" (75) or thereabouts, y^ acc^ we had of y'' Customes
and other revenue of New Yorke, put us in hopes of future advantages more y" I perceive are
like to be confirmed to us when y* Ace' comes stated, w'='> you promise 'ere long. The only
comfort remaineing is, y' if y" present charges or losses be soe great by reason of y« war among
yo'' neighbours, when y' is ended we shall presume on better things. But such as it is, I believe
it will give some satisfaccon if your Gen" ace' (and M"' Dyre's) be constantly sent us once a
yeare at least ; his instruccons ordering him to give it in accordingly, or oftner if you thinke fitt.

You are desirous of his R" High" comands touching y* Vice Admiralty in those parts, but
you doe not explaine in what particulars you meane. If it be as to y« Boundaryes, I cannot say
more y" referr you to those of yo"" governm' it selfe ; for though His R" High" be Admirall still
of all his ftla" forreigne Plantacons, yett y' Pattent of Admiralty I thinke is dated before yo'
govern' was in English hands ; soe as properly his R" High" can derive noe authority in
those countreys or seas, but according to y'^ limitts of the latter Pattent, by w"^"" he holds y" same
from the Crowne. And in pursuance of y' latter Pattent you may doubtlesse act in pursuance of
your intruccons in as ample mauer (haveing already y' Dukes Gen" commission) as he himselfe
might doe if he were upon y"^ place.

And as for Delaware Plantacon, 1 thinke I have already told you y' his R" High" is not
advised here to passe a Pattent singly for y' ; but when there shalbe occasion of reneueing or
altering his other Pattent for N. Y. (either for the better ascertaineing the Boundaryes or for
any other cause) then it wilbe a fitt season to insert Delaware into y* same graunt and in the
interim it wilbe convenient y' you send us y* proper boundaryes thereof, especially takeing care
to have y"" large enough y' way, y* noe other English claime a right, and w"" respect to such
consideracons as may make us hope for most improvem".

1 shall see by discourse w"" ]\r Legge or some other of y' officers of the Ordenance what may
be done in ord"" to fumish you w'" some of those small guns you mention, of 300 weight or
thereabouts, for small boates, and now his R" High" is pleased to agree y' you buy such a
small vessell (w"" a decke) as you say is needfuU and may be fitt both [for] river & sea, in hopes
it may be a countenance to you, and of good use, especially against such Masters of Vessells as
shalbe refractory within your Ports. Put his R" High" would have you make y" charge thereof
as little as possible, viz' 2 or 3 men at most, and then upon occasion you may clap in souldiers
&' as is dayly used here at Gravesend and else where at many of y* Kings forts.

I have lett his R" H" know of Capt. Bellopps desire to part w"" his com" of 2'' Leiuetenant
under you ; but y^ Duke is not pleased to give way unto it by any means ; yett sayth in regard
he hath formerly served y* King, he would have you let him continue still in y' employm',
provided he demeans himselfe as he ought ; but if you find he doth otherwise, and y' you should
judge it necessaiy to put him out, y" y' Duke would have you put in Capt: Salisbury in his
roome, and a comission will in y' case be sent to him upon your notice hither.

The story you tell me of a small vessell from Boston ends well in regard you say y' Master
was bound to answer his contempt at New Yorke ; but M"' Dyre writes me word of one Griffin
y' at Virginia was by his meaues bound to answer his contempt (in y" like nature) in England, w'*'
putts us to play an after game here (besides some other consideracons w"='' I need not insert :)
whereas if y' caution had been used to make y* partyes answer in N. Yorke whensoever after

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

a iudiciall iiroceediiig in }'Our governm' they should appeale hither, it would be farr easyer to
justify his 1{" High" rights, y" it is in y' other case to vindicate y™ from y'' arts and wiles of
seafaring men.

You may please to gett M' Dyre observe y' caution (where he can) y' soe you may the better
preserve y' rights of your Port.

And since I am upon y' subject it is not impertinent to it if I adde thus much further in
relacon to Sir George Carterett's Colony of New Jersey, y' is, that I have acquainted his R"
High" with what M'' Dyre writes to me, about his late bickering w"" Capt. Carteret for not
letting a Present pass Sc", and though small matters are hardly worth y' notice especially where
Sir George Carterett himselfe is concerned ; (for whome the Duke hath much esteeme and regard,)
I doe not find y' y'^ Duke is at all inclined to lett goe any part of his prerogative w'^'" you and your
predecess" have all along constantly asserted in his behalfe ; and soe, though at present in
respect to Sir Geo: we soften things all we may not to disturbe his choller (for in truth the
passion of his inferio'' Offic" soe far infects him as puts him on demands w'"'" he hath noe colour
of right to) I verily believe should his foote chance to slip, those who succeed him must be
content w"" lesse civility y" we shew him in y' point, since y" we should exercise y' just
authority his R" High'" hath without such reserves, as though intended but favours now, may,
if confirmed, redound too much to y* prejudice of yo"^ Colony. You will reserve what I say in
y' paragraph to your selfe, and lett M' Dyre and Capt : Billopp know what relates to y" as you
judge fitt. Dated at S' James's Aug" y^ 31" 167G.

To Major Andros.

Extracts from Edward RandolpK-s Report to the Council of Trade.

[New England, II. 96.]

Sixth Enquirij.

What are the reputed Boundaries and Contents of land.

The ancient bounds of the Massachusets Colony was not above twenty miles upon the sea coast,
but the present limits are as large as that government please to make them, having some years
since taken in the two entire provinces of Hampshire and Main, by them now called after other
names & devided into foure counties, Norfolk, Suffolk, Middlesex & Yorkshire, besides several
considerable towns in the other Colonies of New Plymouth and Connecticut. For the Massa-
chusets having the pre eminency in trade strength and riches they take the liberty to claime as
farr as their convenience or interest directs ; never wanting a pretence of right to any place that is
commodious for them, declaring they doe not yet know the boundaries of their commonwealth.
And although His Maj" Commissioners in the year 16G5. did settle the limits of several
Colonies, especially the Provinces of Hampshire and Main, and declared to the inhabitants that
by His Maj" commission and authority they were taken off from the govemment of the
Massachusets, to the general satisfaction and rejoicing of the jieople and did constitute Justices
of the Peace and other officers (with the consent and approbation of the Proprietors) to act and

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 241

govenie according to the laws of England, and by such laws of their owaie as were not
repugnant thereunto, untill His Ma"^ should take further order therein. Whereupon His Maj"'
b}- his Declaration to the Corporation of Boston of the lO"" of April 166G did approve of the
actings and proceedings of his saicV Commissioners and did require and command that no
alteration be made either in the boundaries or government of those Colonies, and that all
determinations made by His Maj" Commissioners should continue and be observed until His
Maj''^ should make his owne finall determination

Yet nevertheless no sooner were His Maj"""' Commissioners rctumed for England, but M""
Leveret the present Governor, M'' Ting, Captain Pike and some others, entred those Provinces
in a hostile manner, with horse and foot, and subverted the government there setled by the
Commissioners, imprisoned several persons and compelled the inhabitants to submit to their
usurpation.

And thus, taking all oppertunities and advantages to improve their dominions and authority,
the jurisdiction of the ]\Iassachusets is swelled into a very large territory.

Scaventh Enqnirij.

What correspondance doe they keep with their neighbours the French on the
North and the government of New York on the South ?

The French upon the Inst treaty of Peace, concluded between the two Crowns of England
and France, had Nova Scotia, now called Acade, delivered up to them, to the great discontent
and murmuring of the government at Boston, that His Ma"" without their knowledge or consent,
should part with a place so profitable unto them, from whence they drew great quantities of
beaver and other peltry, besides the fishing for codd.

Nevertheless the people of Boston have continued a private trade with the French and Indians
inhabiting those parts, for beaver skins and other commodities & have openly kept on their
fishing upon the said coast, though often forbid by the French King's Lieutenant in Acadie.

Last year Monsieur la Bouni, Govemor for the French King there upon pretence of some
affronts and injuries offered him by the government of Boston did strictly inhibit the inhabitants
any trade with the English, and moreover laid an imposition of four hundred codfish upon every
vessel that should fish upon their coasts, and such as refused had their fish and provisions
seized and taken away.

The French have held a civil correspondance with the inhabitants of Hampshire, Main, and
the Duke's Province, although the government of Boston upon all occations is imposing upon
the French and encouraging an interloping trade, which causeth jealousies and fears in the
inhabitants bordering upon Acadie, that the French will some time or other suddainly fall upon
them, to the breach of the national peace. The government of the Massachusets hath a
perfect hatred for the French, because of their too near neighborhood and loss of their trade
and look upon them with an evil eye, beleeving they have had a hand in the late wars with
the Indians.

As for New York there were several things in matter of trade that occasioned a difference
between the two governments, which at length rose soe high that it came to a stop of trade, the
Governor of New York not permitting any Europaean goods to be imported into that Colony
Vol. III. 31

242 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

from Boston that had not a certificate or other sufficient proof to have paid customs in England,
whicii has ever since occasioned a misunderstanding between them.

In the late Indian warr the government of Boston did greatly complaine of Fort Albany, that
from thence the Indians were supplied with arms & ammunition and were encouraged to begin
and prosecute the warr ; but this great outcry is judged by the wiser and sober sort of people
to be without any just cause or ground, but rather a report raised out of malice and envy. For
the government of the Massachusets loves no government that is not like their owne, and
therefore they were more kind & friendly to the Dutch (even in time of warr) when they were
possessed of New York, than they are to their countreymen the English.

How ever the Governour of New York hath proved very friendly and serviceable to the
Massachusets in this warr, and had the Magistrates of Boston either conferred with or hearkened
to the advice of Colonel Andross, the Indian warr had either been diverted or proved less
destructive ; for he offered and would have engaged the Mohawks and Maquot Indians to have
fallen upon the Sachem Phillip and his confederates ; but iiis friendship advice and offers were
slighted. Nevertheless CoUouel Andross out of his duty to His Maj''" kept the aforesaid Indians
from taking any part with the Sachem Phillip.

Kigluli Knqiituj.

What hath been the original cause of the present warr with the Indians, what are
the advantages or disadvantages arising therby, and will probably be the
final end thereof V

Various are the reports and conjectures of the causes of the late Indian warr. Some impute
it to an imprudent zeal in tlie Magistrates of Boston to christianise those heathens, before they
were civilized, and enjoining them to the strict observation of their laws, which to people soe
rude and licentious, hath proved even intollerable ; and that the more, for while the Magistrates
for their profit severely putt the laws in execution against the Indians, the people on the other
side for lucre and gain intice and provoke the Indians to the breach thereof, especially to
drunckenness, to which these people are soe generally addicted, that they will strip themselves
to the skin, to have their fill of rum and brandey ; The Massachusetts government having made
a law that eveiy Indian being drunck should pay ten shillings or be wliipped according to the
discretion of the Magistrate ; many of those poor people willingly ottered their backs to the
lash, to save their money. Whereupon the Magistrates finding much trouble and no profit to
arise to the Government by whipping, did change that punishment of the whipp into a ten days
worke, lor such as would not or could not pay the fine of tenn shillings ; which did highly
incense the Indians.

Some beleeve that tliere have been vagrant and Jesuitical preists, who have made it their
business and designe for some years past, to goe from Sachem to Sachem, to exasperate the
Indians against the English and to bring them into a confederacy, and tluit they were promised
supplies from France and other parts, to extirpate the English Nation out of the Continent of
America.

Others impute the cause to arise from som(> injuries ottered to the Sachem Phillip, for he
being possessed of a tract of land called Mount Hope, a very fertile pleasant and rich soil, some
EngUsh had a mind to dispossess him thereof, who never wanting some pretence or other to attain

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 243

their ends, complained of injuries done by Phillip and his' Indians to their stock and cattle.
Whereupon the Sachem Phillip was often summoned to appear before the Magistrates,
sometimes imprisoned and never released but upon parting with a considerable part of his lands.

But the Government of the Massachusets (to give it in their ovra words) doe declare these
are the great and provoking evils for which God hath given the barbarous heathen commission
to rise against them.

The wofull breach of the fifth commandment in contempt of their authority, which is a sinn
highly provoking to the Lord.

For men wearing long hair and perriwigs made of womens' hair.

For women wearing borders of hair and for cutting curling and laying out their hair and
disguising themselves by following strange fashions in their apparel.

For prophaneness in the people in not frequenting their Meetings, aiid others going away
before the blessing is pronounced.

For suffering the Quakers to dwell among them, and to sett up their thresholds bv God's
thresholds, contrary to their old laws and resolutions. — With many such reasons.

But whatever was the cause the English have contributed very much to their misfortunes,
for they first taught the Indians the use of arms, & admitted them to be present at all their
musters and trainings, and shewed them how to handle mend and fix their musquets, and have
been constantly furnished with all sorts of arms by permission of the government ; soe that the
Indians are become excellent fire-men, & at Natick, a towne not farr distant from Boston, there
was a gathered Church of praying Indians who were exercised as trained Bands, under officers
of their owme. These have been the most barbarous and cruel enemies to the English above
any other Indians. Captaine Tom their leader being lately taken and hanged at Boston, with
one other of their Chiefs.

That notwithstanding the ancient law of the country made in the year 1633 that no person
should sell any arms or amunition to any Indian, upon the penalty of ten pound for every gun,
five pound for a pound of powder, and fourty shillings for a pound of shot ; Yet the government
of the Massachusets in the year 1657 (upon designe to monopolise the whole Indian trade to
themselves) did publish & declare that the trade of furrs and peltry with the Indians within
that jurisdiction, did solely and properly belong to their Commonwealth, and not to every
indifferent person ; and did enact that no person should trade with the Indians for any sort of
peltry, except such as were authorized by that Court, under the penalty of one hundred pounds
for every offence ; giving liberty to all such as should have licence from them to sell unto any
Indian, guns, swords powder and shot, paying unto the Treasurer for the same these rates viz'
Three shillings for each gmi ; three shillings for a dozen of swords ; six pence for a pound of
powder, and six pence for every ten pound of shot. By which means the Indians have been
abundantly furnished with great store of arms and amunition, to the utter ruin and undoing of
many famillies in the neighbouring Colonies, for to enrich some few of their relations and
Church Members.

No advantages but many disadvantages have risen to the English by this warr, for about six
hundred men have been slain, and twelve Captains, most of them stout and brave persons and
of loyal principles, whilest the Cliurch Members had liberty to stay at home and not hazard
their persons in the wilderness.

The loss to the English in the severall colonies, in their habitations and stocks is reckoned to
amount unto one hundred and fifty thousand pounds ; there having been about twelve hmidred

244 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

houses burnt, eight thousand head of Cattle great and small, killed, and many thousand bushels
of wheat, pease, and other grain burnt (of which the Massachusets Colony hath not been
danmified one third part, the great loss falling upon New Plymouth and Connecticut Colonies)
and upward of three thousand Indians, men women and children destroyed, who if well
managed would have been very serviceable to the English : which makes all manner of labour
dear-

The warr at present is near ended, for the Sachem Phillip not being able to support his party
or confederates hath left them to make the best terms they can ; he himself sculking in the
woods with a small party of two or three hundred men; being in dispair of making his peace.

In Plymouth Colony the Indians surrender themselves to the Governor Winslow upon mercy,
and bring in all their arms, and are wholly at his disposal, excepting life and transportation ;
but for all such as have been notoriously cruel to women and children, see soon as discovered
tliey are to be executed in the sight of their fellow Indians.

The government of Boston have concluded a peace upon these terms : —

1. That ther be from hence forward a firme peace between the English and Indians.

2. That after the publication of the Articles of Peace by the Geuerall Court, if any English
shall wilfully kill an Indian, upon due proof he shall dye for the fact ; and if an Indian kill an
Englishman and escapeth, the Indians are to produce him, and he to pass tryal by the English
laws.

3. That the Indians shall not conceal or entertaine any known enemie to the English, but
shall discover them and bring them to the English.

4. That upon all occasions the Indians are to aid and assist the English against their enemies,
and to be under English command.

5. That all Indians have liberty to sitt downe at their former habitations without any lett or
interruption.

[ The above Report will be found at length in HiUchinson s Collection of Oriyiiud Papers, Boston, 1769. 477. Chalmers
says, that Hutchinson seemed to doubt its authenticity, but adds : — " Tlie Lords of the Committee of Council distrusting
Randolph's Reports, because they appeared so extraordinary, sent his papers to Lord Culpeper, the Governor of Virginia,
who had called at Boston on his voyage to England, who answered, in August, 1681, ' I have perused Mr. Randolph's
writings sent me, and during my stay in Boston, did hear of the matters of fact specified therein. ' " Political Annals, 438.
On comparing the extracts now printed, with the corresponding portions in Hutchinson, some omissions and differences will
be discovered in the latter. — Ep. ]

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 245

Sir John We)' Jen to Governor AnJros.

[ New- York En(ries, CLI. -28. ]

Sir

This is to acknowledge the rec' of yo" of the SS"* July, W^*" came to my hands in September
last. But the more important business of it at present is to convey the enclosed
endoied'from'^^e'K?"! ^''o™ ^is Ma"' to forbidd yo"' admitting any of the accomplices of Bacon the
byon/.Tohn Test uTye the cheifc of the scditious in Virginia into yo'' governm' ; a caution w'"" I
iiajyLand' °"" ""^ presumc you needed not, but y' order from tiie King will by shewing His Ma"
displeasure ag" y"", obviate all such plausible pretences as they may have
scattered about to debauch the fidelity or attract the pitty of the neighbour colonyes.

Att the same time I may tell you (besides that S'" John Berry 4s already gone with the Bristoll
frigatt and a ketch) that the forces designed to reduce those people unto their due obedience, are
now well embarked and in the Downes, wayteing for the first opportunity of fayre wind to sett
sayle : I wish them good successe, y' being a matter of noe small importance to His Ma" service.

The Duke lias lately had the mischance of a fall of his horse, whereby he broke his Collar
bone, but I thanke God he is now well againe and able to use y' arme, though the eai-ly frosts
we have had have a little retarded the bones knitting againe.

I have notiiing else to informe you of at present, supposeing you have from other hands the
ordinary little occurrences y' we listen after from abroad ; what I write to JP Dyre, to avoyd
repeticons, I leave you to the p''usall in his Ire (w'^'' I pray seale before it be delivered) and I
conclude y^ in telling you, y' I send it you by a way my Lord Craven tells me of, of some body
y' intends to pass ia ships to Mary Land, and thence intends to pass by land to New Yorke.
Dated at St. James's y" 30"* of November 1076.

To Major Andros

Sir John WerJen to William, -Dye/; Vollector at ]\'^eiv- York.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 28. ]

An Extract of a letter from Sir John Werden to M"" Dyre the 30"» of November
1G7G.

As to your two qua;ryes at y' end of yo"' Ire, I have these answers. First S' George
Downing (one of the Customes) tells me y' you may i-eceive and give all incouragem' to any
inhabitants that will come w"" their famelyes and goods, of whatsoever kind or country they be,
from any of the other plantacons, to dwell w"" you at New Yorke, and y' the Customers here
doe make noe scruple of letting such introduce all their owne proper goods (for their owne
use and not to sell) custome free, and y' doeing thus is by noe construccon to be made a breach
of the Act of Navigacon or any Proclamacon of the King's. Secondly the Deputy Govern'' of
the R" Company tells me that y' Company only pretend to the first empcon or transportacon of
Negroes out of Guiny, and when they are once sold in Barbadoes Jamaica &■= by them or their

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

factors, tliey care not whither they are transported from thence ; for y^ more are carryed of,
y* more againe wilbe wanting ; and tlierefore you need not suspect the Company will oppose y*
introduceing of black Slaves into New Yorke from any place (except from Guinj') if they were
first sold in y' place by y* Royall Company or their agents.

DiiTi-e of YorTi to Governor Andros.

[New-York Entries, CLI. 24.]

Major Andros.

I have reC" yo" Ire of the 1" of November last past, and seene y' also to my Secretary. And
I am glad to find y* quiett condicon of your govemm' notwithstanding the late troubles y' have
beene in yo"" neighborhood.

Since, as you say, the 3 yeares are neere expired dureing w'^'' I have settled the rates for
customes & other dutyes in your govemm', and y' you doe not p'ceive by any observacon you
have yett made, y' any advantagious alteracons can be at y' tyme, I am willing you should (w"
you thinks fitt) publish my pleasure to continue the same rates and other dutyes for three yeares
longer, to comence from y' end of these now running.

And in regard you expresse a desire to come for England for some time to looke after your
owne concernes, if you shall towardes the end of this summer continue to be of y' mind, (not
doubting your care to settle all things dureing your absence from your govemm' in y' best and
safest manner) I doe agree y' you come away w' the latest shipping, soe as haveing the winter to
yourselfe, you may be ready to returne to your government with the first ships that goe hence
in y* spring.

Lastly I have thought fitt to gi-ant your I'equest touching y' .£200 advanced to you by my
Trear at your setting out from hence ; w'*" I freely give you at y* same time assureing you I
shall on occasions be mindfuU of your diligence and faithfulness in my service. For y* rest I
referr you to my Secretary and am &*= Dated 7 May 1677.

Sir John Wertlen to (rovernor Av(lro.i.

[ New-Tork Eiilrka, f'LI. 24. ]

Sir

His Royall High" haveing beene pleased to write to you himselfe, leaves little of monu^nt for
me to tell you in returne of yo" of y* 1" and S"" Nov'' last past ; only your Ires furnish me w"'
these following particulars besides those touched by his Roy" High"'.

First, as to y" gen" ace' you have sent to S"" Allen Apsley, I see by y' ballance thereof to y""
1" October (76) His R" High' was creditor ^126. .12. .7^, w'='" gives some hopes y' ye Duke
may in time have some retumes for his expences, since already y'= rec" come to equall y^

LONDON DOCUMENTS : 111. 247

payments.) But truly I thinke you doe very wisely to make M" Dyre's paym" be as liequeut
as you can, for though he be sensible of the error he hath beene in by giveing creditt in y=
customes, (w^*" he excuseth from former practice and y* want of ready money) soe probably
would not venture to do the like hei-eafter, yet y° very practice of frequent reckonings is of
greate use to make men just. But truly I thinke, both by y= manner of his WTiteing and
especially by y^ respect he shews to you, M"' Dyre meanes very honestly to y* Duke, and
therefore deserves your kiudnesse as far as consists w"" the security of the Revenue.

It is still his Royall H' pleasure y' you doe nothing further at y'' time touching your bounds
towards Connecticutt. But since soe many townes ic"^ have beene soe lately disjoyned from
them, and since they disclaymed y' agreem' of keeping 20 myles distant from Hudsons River
(w'^'' upon M"' Delavall's informacon I apprehended might, if insisted on by them, have proved
an equitable plea against us) I beleeve a time may come either upon a regulacon of matters in
New England w° His Ma"* shall please to take y' into his consideracon or some other way, w"
his Roy" High^^ may without scruple thinke it convenient to insist on all those rights y« were
intended him by his Patent from y° crowne. But as for y' Northenie Bounds there is noe question
but they have alwayes beene esteemed to extend as far as y* Lake (or River of Canada) and the
French have noe coulour to pretend right of conquest from any of their invasions there, unless
the had such possession before y* Dutch were settled in Albany, which I believe is nothing soe.

Touching Delaware I have already told you S'' John King's opinion in it, but least y' failed
comeing to your hands, I shall repeate it here : viz' that unless .the Duke had some other pattent
to passe, and till then, it is not worth his while to passe a pattent only for y' colonj', by reason
he is already possessed of it as an appendix to New Yorke gajmed by your pi-edecess", whose
footsteps you follow and whose authority is derived to you in as ample manner as they had it.
Nevertheless if you come for England this next autumne we shall see whan can be further
4pne to secure and settle y' colony, w"^'' I must confesse I should be glad were confirmed in the
Dukes possession by a better title y" this, w"^ indeed to an ordinary person would not be very
secure.

I had almost forgott to tell you that I could give noe incouragem' to y*" wife of M"' Phillips in
her desire to buy a Dutch ship in hopes to make her free ; on y* contrary I diswaded her from
it all I could, by reason of y* strict orders of late prohibiteing any of those practices though
frequent heretofore. And the Customers are very strict in opposeing all such indeavours.

Thus I have touched what at present occurs to me. News I presume you have from other
hands ; the greatest now talked of here is y*" meeting againe of y* Parliam' y" 21" instant. I
wish it may be for as much good as y* last meeting was, wherein a sume of money was given for
building 30 ships of warr and y* addiconall duty of Excise continued for 3 yeares, worth about
.£100000 per ann : but I shall adde noe more to your trouble at this time y" (all our services
being presented to your Lady) to assure you y' I am Sc^. Dated at S' James's May y' 7"' 1677.

To Major Andros.

g^ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Listructions for Lieut. Anthony Ji/vclcles, Ensign Knapton., and Mr. M. Ni-colls.

[ New-York Papers, I. 130. ]

Instructions or Orders for Lieut. Antliouy Broci\les, & Ensigne Ceesar Knaptou,
togetlier with M'' Matthias KicoUs.

Hauing herew"" received a Commission' and Orders, you are w"" the Sloops and Forces under
your Command to mal\e the best of your way Eastward to the Dulve's Territorys att Pemaquid
and adjacent country, comprised in his Roy" Highnesse patent, as p'' the first original Patent,
and authentique Copy of the last now delivered to you.

In case of contrary and stormy wind and weather parting tiie sloops on this side Cape Cod,
you are to rendevouz att Martins Vineyard, if on the otlier or East side of Cape Cod, then att
Cape Auewagon Islands.

Att your arrivall in y^ Duke's said Territorys, if you shall find any Christians there, you are
to lett them know j^our coming, as anthoriz'd, as also any freindly Indyans.

Having made choice of the most convenient place upon Pemaquid, for shipping. Defence and
good fresh water, if itt may bee about halfe, and uot exceeding musquett shot from the shoare
convenient to command all thither.

You are without delay to land and sett up your framed Block house or Ridout as soon as may
bee, in the doing whereof you are to advise well, and keep good guards & sufficient sentinells,
and all the rest of your men to bee imployed in the worke, & to have their arms ready fixed
and conveniently placed in readynesse by the Guard

Having reared y^ said Blockhouse or Redout and mounted your little Guns thereon, and
landed fitting stores and settled your men and Guards therein.

You are if would fitt at hand to cutt and sett Stockadoes about nine foot high att Convenieftt
distance round your Blockhouse with two Bastions in the oposite Angles and mount your Great
Guns therein.

In case of any extraordinary accident or unexpected flbrce to oppose you at Pemaquid and
adjacent parts, so that you could nott land and settle there as above.

You are then to land and sett down in the most convenient place upon Cape Anowagon,^
Damarell's Cove,' Manhigen or other adjacent Islands comprized in his Ma''" patent to his Roy"
Highnesse in those parts.

As soon as you are landed and Redout reared &' you are presently to dispatch one of the
sloops to mee with an accompt of all passages, and your seuce of place and things there.

As soon as the stockados are sett, and Great Guns mounted in the bastions, unlesse for some
Extraordinary occasion, you are to discharge the other sloop also Voluntiers desiring itt, except
a sloop should bee sent to Piscattaway, which to bee discharged immediatly on her returne, and
only keepe our Garrison souldiers and mv sloop, giving nice a further accompt by those
discharged.

' Kor Commission; See, Warrants, Orders, &,:, In Soereliiry's Office, III., -IhX. It boai-s dale llUli of .hine, 1677. — En.

' Cape Anawagon is a few miles cast of Sagadahock, or the mouth of the Kennebec River, Maine. It will be found laid
down in Bellin's Carte de la Partie Oricntale dc la Nouv. France ou du Canada, in Charlevoix Hist. Xouv. Fr. Leveti
descnbes it in his voyage to New England, in 1623, and calls it Capemanwagan. ifassachiisetts Historical Society's Collections,
3d Series, VIII., 169. It is now known as Cape Nawagen. Sullii'an's Ilistorii nf .V„i7ie, :!91. — Ed.

■* Bale Dame Marie. Eeltin, itt sup. — Kn.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 249

You are to take great care & accompt of all stores, perticularly provisions to bee duly-
distributed, and not suffer your men to stragle or range y' woods, but keep them together till
further order, and give all protection and incouragenient to any his Ma'"" subjects, planters or
ffishers.

You may make peace with the Tndyans desiring itt, delivering up Christian Prisoners and
sloop, and comprising Neighbors of the Massachusetts and adjacent Colonyes if they accept itt.

Jf any Maquaes come you are to receive and use them kindly, as att Albany, giving them
Intelligence particularly of our freinds as well as Enemys.

In your going if, by occasion of wind or weather, you are putt into Martina's Vineyard, you
are to acquaint the commander M'' Mahue of your going Eastward, and that I cannot possibly
go so farr as him this yeare, but should be glad to see him, and shall bee ready to give present
dispatch to any buisnesse for the good of thatt and adjacent Islands, and if anj' Extraordinary
occasion require itt, you may stay one or two dayes to see and settle things with their Indyans.

Att your passing by piscattaway, if you can conveniently nott to loose the opportunity of good
wind & weatlier, or as soon as landed & blockhouse or Redout reared, you are to send a sloop
with mj' letters to Piscattaway for said place and Boston, which sloop to make no sta}-, butt bring
M' Joselin,' M'' Jordan,^ iNIajor Chapely,^ or an)^ other willing to come to you.

AP Joslin coming and willing to stay you are to deliver to him his Commission of the peace
to act accordingly in those parts, and also advise w"" him in all Matteriall Concerns particularly
Indyans.

I pray God give you good successe. N. Yorke lo"" June 1G77.

The blanck Commission of y*" peace you are to till to authorize a iitt person if you see cause.

Endorsed

" Copy of Instructions.

Eastward. June y' 13"" 77

Pemmaquid.

Received from C Andros."

' Hexry Josselyn, of Scarborough, son of Sir Thomas Josseltn named, in the first charter of llaine, at the liead of the
Commissioners to organize the governmeut, and brother of John Josselyn, Gent., the author of "An Account of two
Voyages to New England. London, 1674." He acted under the authority of New-York in 1665 ; was taken prisoner by the
Indians in tlie war of 1673, and on Scarborough being burnt by the enemy, removed into Plymouth Colony, where his
posterity remain. Maine Historical Society's Collections, II., 78, 79 ; Sullivan's History of Maine, 215, 286, 369. Ed.

= Richard Jordan, of Richmond's Island, south of the town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. For an account of him See
Sullivan, 193. — Ed.

' Nicholas Shapleigh, of Kittery. Sullivan, Z'Ji; Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Boston, 1813. 1.129. All these
gentlemen were strong opponents of the pretensions which Massachusetts set up to the territory of Maine. Ed.

Vol. III. 32

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Wentworth GreenhalgKs Journal of a Tour to the Indians of Western New-Yorh

{ New-York Papers, I. 132. ]

Observations of Wentworth Greenhalgh in a Journey from Albany to y^ Indyans
westward ; Begun May y"' 2S"' 1G77, and ended July y* l-i"" following.

The Maquaes have four Touns, viz' Cahaniaga, Canagora, Conajorha, Tionondogue, besides
one small village about 110 miles from Albany.

Cahaniaga is double stockadoed round, has four ports, about four foott wide a piece, conteyns
about 24 houses, & is situate upon tlie edge of an Hill, about a bow shott from the river side.^

Canagora^ is only single stockadoed, has four ports like the former, conteyns about 1(5 houses,
itt is situate upon a fflatt, a stones throw from y*" water side.

Canajorha is also singly stockadoed, and y' like man'' of Ports and quantity of houses as
Canagora, y'= like situacon, only about two miles distant from the water.

Tionondogue is double stockadoed round, has four Ports, four foott wide a peice, contains
about thirty houses, is scituated on a hill a Bow shott from y' River.^

The small village is withoutt flence & conteyns about ten houses, lyes close by y' river side,
on y' north side, as do all y* former.

The Maques passe in all for aboutt 300 fighting men.''

Their Coriie grows close by y" river side.

Of the Situacon of the Oiiijadcs and if Onondagos and their Strength.

The Onyades have butt one towne which lys aboutt 130 miles westward of y' Maques, itt is
situate aboutt 20 miles from a small river which conies out of y'' hills to y*^ southward and runs
into the Lake Teshirogue,* and aboutt 30 miles distantt from the Maques river, which lyes to y'
northward ; the towne is newly settled, double stockadoed, but little cleared ground, so thatt
they are forced to send to y* Onondago's to buy corne ; The towne consists of aboutt 100
houses, they are said to have about 200 fighting men, their corne growes round about the
towne.

' Caghnawagali, or as the Dutch wrote it in 1G59, Kaghuuwage, was called by the French, Gandaouaguf. (Relation,
lt>67, 1668. pp. 23, 41.) It is laid down in Ddisle's Carte de la Louisiane, 1718, by the name of Gannaouaguc. It is supposed
to derive its name from Caghnuhwohher-leh, which in the Mohawk tongue signifies, Rapids. ( Vocabulary in Gallatin's Si/nopsis,
307.) Caghnawaga was attacked by a party of 300 Mohegans on 18th August, 1669 ; the particulars are given in the Relation
of 1660, 1670. p. Ill, by Father Pierkon, who with a number of Onondagas and Oneidas assisted at a grand celebration of
the Feast of the Dead there the same year. Ih. 111. — Ed.

" Called Gandagaro in the Relation, 1669, 1670. p. 112, where it is represented to be the next village to Gandaouague. — Ed.

" See Note, Ante. p. 163. This village was burnt by the French in 1666. Relation, 1667, 1668. p. 42. — Ed.

■* Tlie Rev. Mr. Mkgapolexsis, writing of the Mohawks in 1644, says: — "Tlie Mohawk Indians arc divided into three tribes,
which arc called Ochkari, Anawore, and Okuaho, that is, the Bear, the Tortoise, and the 'Wolf. Of these the Tortoise is the
greatest and principal. » * * These have made u Fort of Palisades and call their castle Auenie. Tliose of the Bear are
next to these and their castle is by them called Sanar/iro [Kanagiro ?] ; the last were taken from them, and their Castle
is called Thenondioyo. Korl Ontwcrp Van de Mahakuanc Indianen in N. NederlaiuU, translated in Hazard^! State Papers,
I. 625. —Ed.

' Oneida lake. See Map of the country of the Five Nations, prefixed to the Relation, 1664, 1665. AIbo, Bellin's Carte
des Lncs du Canada and his Carte de la Louisiane, in Chnrlesvnix Hist. iVoiiir. France. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 251

The Onondago's have butt one towne butt itt is very large consisting of about 140 houses,
nott fenced, is situate upon a hill thatt is very large, the Banke on each side extending itt selfe
att least two miles, all cleared land, whereon y* come is planted ; They have likewise a small
village about two miles beyound thatt, consisting of about 24 houses. They ly to the Southward
of y^ west, about 36 miles from the Onyades. They plant aboundance of Come which they sell
to the Onyades.

The Onondagos are said to be about 350 fighting men.

They lye about 15 miles from Tshirogui.

Of the Caioiigos and Senecqucs their Situacon and Strength, Sf"

The Caiougos have three townes about a mile distant from each other,' they are not stockadoed,
they doe in all consist of about 100 houses, they ly about 60 miles to the Soutlnvard of y'
Onondagos, they intend the next spring to build all their houses together and stockado them,
they have aboundance of Corne they ly within two or three miles of y* lake Tichero f They
passe for about 300 fighting men.^

The Senecques have four towns, viz' Canagora, Tiotohatton, Canoenada, & Keint-he ;
Canagaroh and Tiotohatton lye within 30 miles of y^ lake ffrontenacque, and y' other two ly
about four or five miles apeice to y^ southward of these, they have aboundance of corne ; none
of their towns are stockadoed.

Canagorah lyes on the top of a great hill, and in that as well as the bigiiesse much like
Onondago, Contaynlng 150 houses ; Northwestward of Caiougo 72 miles.* Here y' Indyans
were very desirous to see us ride our horses, w''"' wee did ; they made feasts and dancing &
invited us y' when all y' maides were together both wee and our Indyans might choose such as
lyked us to ly with.

Tiotehatton lyes on the brinke or edge of a hill, has nott much cleared ground, is neare the
river Tiotehatton which signifies bending, itt lyes to Westward of Canagorah about 30 miles,
contains about 120 houses being y* largest of all y' houses wee saw, y' ordinary being about 50

' Cayuga, which we have named Saint Joseph ; Kiohero, which we call Saint Stephen ; and Onnontarf, or Saint Rene.
Relation, 1669, 1670. p. 264. — Ed.

° Caynga lake. See, Map in Relations, 1664, 1665; also, Bellin, nt sup. cit. — Ed.

' The Reverend Father R.iffeix, who was a Missionary, describes the country, as it was in 1670, 1671, in the following
terms; — " Cayuga is the finest country I have ever seen in America ; it is situated in latitude 42 J°, the needle dips there
scarcely more than ten degrees. It lies between two lakes, and is no more than four leagues wide, almost continuous plains,
and the timber on their borders is very fine. « * * More than a thousand deer are annually killed in the neighborhood
of Cayuga. Fishing, as well the salmon as the eel and other fisheries, is as abundant as nt Ononda;^a. Four leagues distance
from here, on the brink of a river, I saw within a small compass, eight or ten very fine Salt springs. It is there that numbers
of nets are spread to catch pigeons ; seven to eight hundred are often caught in one haul of a net Lake Tiohero, which
adjoins our village, is fourteen leagues long by one or two wide, it abounds with swans and geese all winter and in spring
nothing is seen but continual clouds of all sorts of game. The river Choueguen (Oswego,) which rises in this lake, soon
branches into several canals, surrounded by prairies, with occasionally very fine and pretty deep, bays, where wild fowl flock.
I find the inhabitants of Cayuga more docile and less fierce than the Onondagas and the Oneidas. * « * They reckon
over three hundred warriors, and a prodigious swarm of children. Relation, 1671, 1672. p. 75. — Ed.

* Mr. Marshall locates this village at Boughton's Hill, in the town of Victor, in Ontario county ; though De Wrrr Clinton
and others are of opinion that it was on, or near, the banks of the Genesee. X'ew- York Historical Society's Collections, 2d Series.
II., 154. 160. The locality of the other Seneca villages may be easily caloiUated, as their respective points and distances from
Canagora are laid down in this Journal. — Ed.

2Sf

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

or 60 foott long, with 13 or 14 fires in one liouse, they have good store of come growing about
a mile to y* Northward of the towne.

Being att this place the 17"" of June, there came 50 prisoners from the Southwest-Ward, they
were of two nations some whereof have few gunns, y" other none at all ; one nation is about 10
days journey from any christians and trade only with one greatt house nott farre from y'' sea,
and y" other trade only, as they say, w"" a black people ; this day of them was burnt two
women and a man, and a child killed with a stone, att night we heard a greatt "noyse, as if y'
houses had all fallen butt itt was only y*" Inhabitants driving away y* Ghosts of y* murthered.

The 18"' goeing to Canagaroh wee overtook y* prisoners, when y* souldiers saw lis they
stopped each his prisoner and made him sing, and cutt off their fingers, & slasht their bodys w""
a knife, and when they had sung each man confessed how many men in his time hee had killed ;
thatt day att Canagaroh there were most cruelly bunied four men, four women and one boy,
the cruelty lasted about seven hours, when they were almost dead, letting them loose to y'
mercy of y' boys, and taking the hearts of such as were dead to feast on.

Canoenada lyes about four miles to y' Southward of Canagorah, couteyns about 30 houses,
well furnislied with Corne.

Keint-he lyes aboutt four or five miles to y'' Southward of Tiotehatton, contayns aboutt 24
houses well furnished with corne.

The Senecques are counted to bee in all aboutt 1000 fighting men.

The fli-ench call

The Maques

The Onyades

The Onondago's

& Onondago the towne

The Caiougos

The Seneques

Cangaro

Tiotehatton

;- By the name of ^

Les Anniez
Les Ono3'auts
Les Montagneurs
La Montagne
Les Petuneurs
Les Paisans
S' Jacques
La Conception'

" 14 July 1677. Notes of M"' Wentworth Greenhalgh's journey to y"" maquas, &
other Indians. "

' The Freno)i liaj mtioUk
317. — Ed.

Mission at tlie village of Gaudougarae, which they ealleil St. Michel, Jielallon, 1669, IBVO.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 253

Bishfyj) of London's Metnorial res2)eding the Chxircli.cs in the Plantations.

[ Plantations General ICnlries, XXXII. 4". ]

Ou the 17 of July my Lord Bishop of London presents a memorial, as foil :

A Manorial of what abuses arc crei)t into the Churches of the riarita/ioiis

1. That the Kings Right of Patronage & presenting to all benefices and Cures of Souls which
happen to be void in any of the Plantations is not duely asserted & practised by the several
Governors in so much as some parishes are kept vacant where a lawfull minister may be had,
and some persons are commissionated to exercise the ministerial function without Orders both
in Virginia, Barbados, & other places

2. That the profits of each vacant Parish (in stead of being reserved for the next incumbent,
as they are by law here in England, or otherwise piously disposed of for Ecclesiastical uses)
are for the most part converted by y* people to their o•w^l use during the said vacancy which
does very much encourage them to oppose all ofiers & opport''* for their supply.

3. That the Ministers which ought to be admitted for life are often times hired (as they terme
it) by the yeare & somtimes by the sermon.

4. That the setled Ministers are in a great part deprived of that short maintenance which
their lawes pretended to allot them in that the commodities are paid generally the worst &
overrated and if the comodities happen to be of a just value to what they are rated, the Minister
is forced to attend til an other year when they shall be worth nothing.

5. That in Maryland Sc' there is no setled maintenance for the Ministers at all the want
whereof does occasion a total want of Ministers & Divine Worship except among those of the
Roman Belief who (tis conjectured) doe not amount to one in an hundred of the people.

6. That in Virginia (not with standing their own law to that purpose) there are no publick
places alloted to bury their dead in, in so much that that profane custome of burying in their
gardens, orchards & other places stil continues. " •

7. That the vestries there pretend an Authority to be intrusted with the sole management of
Church Affaires, & to exercise an arbitrary power over the Ministers themselves.

8. That in Virginia there is a great defect in the execution of those two wholesome lawes
(viz) the 4 & 12 Acts of the Assembly the one prohibiting all marriges to be solemnised
without a lawful Minister imposing the punishment due for fornication on the parties & making
their children illegitimate & so not capable of inheriting, the other prohibiting any person to
exercise the ministeriall Function without proveing himself to have first received Orders from
some Bishop in England.

9. There is no care taken, except in Virginia, for the passage & other accommodations of such
Ministers as are sent over.

254 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

A Short AccoiaU of the General Concerns of Kew-Yorh.

[Xew-Tork Papers, I. 102. ]

A short Accompt of the Genernll Concerns of New Yorke from October 1G74 to
November 1G77.

In October 1674 the Governo' receiA'ed New Yorke & Dependences from the Dutch, settled
tliat part neare New Yorke, and in December reduced the East End of Long Island, & some
turbulent in other places having been questioned, the Governm' hath been very orderly and
quiett since.

In May 1675 tlie Governo"' sent to demand of Conecticutt Generall Court thatt part of His
Roy" Highnesse Colony in their possession, exprest in his Ma''" patent to His Roy" Highnesse,
sending them an Attested copy of said Patent, and att y* same time went by land to Delaware
to settle things there, particularly as to New Jersey Indyans of W'' great apprehensions,
composed by their submission, observed by them since during all the troubles round us.

In June following, upon news of Indyan troubles Eastward, the Governour did without delay,
of w'^'' he sent notice by expresse to Hartford, repaire himselfe w"" a supplj- of ,immunic6n
and spare arms to y* mouth of Conecticutt river, as the properest place to advise and act, but
said supply (as informed) then wanting were refused, and after four days attendance without
seeing Magistrate or Officer of Note, and otliers prohibited communication with him, a severe
protest was made against his coming.

Upon which witiiout delay he went over to 3'^ East End of Long Island, and dispatched
ammunicon and Arms to Martin's Vinyard and Nantuckett, with necessary order for preserving
them and Neighboring Islands ; and to satisfy the great jealousy of our neighbours, bee proceeded
by land through Long Island to Yorke, and disarmed our own Indyans in all places, and saw all
our own militia.

Att the Governo" returne to New Yorke, hee sent for all the neighbouring Indyan Sachems of
New Jersey as well as other Parts, most of which had been with him afore, & all againe
renewed their submissions and Engagements.

In August, all being vs-ell settled in New Yorke and parts adjacent the Governor went up
Hudson's River to Esopus, Albany and most warrlike Indyans neare a hundred miles beyound
Albany, which Indyans (and Associates to about four hundred miles further) applyed, declareing
there former AUyance, and now submitted in an Extraordinary manner, with reitterated
promisses accordingly after which all things being setled, for the Magistracy, Militia and defence
if occasion, hee returned to New Yorke and sent up liis first Lieut' with more recruites, to
couunand att Albany, and upon notice of Indyans in warre coming more Westward, prohibitted
sale of powder on penalty of ten pounds lor each quarter of a pound of powder, or Corporall
punishment extending to lifcv, And upon notice of want, though unasked, sent six barrels of
powder and some match to Roade Island, which they thankfully accepted, and afterward lent
part of it to New England flbrces in want, att their fight in Narrogansett country.

Upon Massachusetts Declaracon of warre in print in y* beginning of winter, in which they
alleage tliatt Indyans were supplyed with powder att Albany, Hee sent two gentlemen to
Boston to complaine of such an aspersion, demanding itt might bee made appeare, or falce
informer punished ; They by a letter cleare the Magistrates butt nott Gcneralty, still asperced
w"'out any known cause, complaint, or notice.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 255

In November and December Phillip and other ludyaus, about a thousand in two partys armed,
went up into the country, and came within about forty miles of Albany, of w*''' notice by our
Indyans to y* Comander att Albany, and by land e.xpresse to the Governo'' att New Yorke, the
rivers all frozen ; The Governour imediately dispatched reitterated orders to y* Commander for
said Phillip's &*= remoue, if not effected afore y" receit of said Orders, and sent an E.xpresse with
Letters and Ample Instructions to Conecticutt, desiring Liberty for our flbrces, Christians or
Indyans, to pin-sue such y' Euemys of said Conecticutt into their parts as occasion &■= and y'
like after to Boston ; but being denied, and the River opening une.xpected the beginning of
fiebruary lG7f he tooke y* first opportunity to goe up with an additional! force & si.\ sloops to
Albany, and found att his arrival! aboutt three hundred Maquaas Souldiers in towne, returned
y* Evening afore from y^ pursuite of Philip and a party of five lumdred with liim, whome they
had beaten, having some prisoners & the crowns, or liayre and skinne of the head, of others
they had killed ; Att their setting out the Commander had furnished the whole party with store
of Ammiic6n,and all sorts of arms and necessarys they waiited, and received their Old Sachems,
wives and children into the towne ; butt now upon our neighbours refusal! the Governo"" was
putt to a farre greater charge, as well as authority to stop their prosecuteing said Indyans into our
Neighbours Colony, which would else have proved of a farre worse consequence ; and presently
built a new stockadod ffbrt with ffour Bastions, each capable of si.x gunns, said f^brt so seated
as to Defend and Command the whole towne of Albany, and att said time sent an officer tlu'ougli
y"" woods to see, and if any strange Indyans to demand all Christian captives and command
such Indyans out of y' Government without delay, said officer raett with five nations together,
being about four hundred men in arms, whicli readily obeyed : The Governo' also ordered
small fibrts for the retreats of women and children, to bee made in all tlie towns or villages
through the Government, and Row boates all along shore, and kept sloops out as occasion.

In the Spring and beginning of Summer 107G the Indyans having committed great outrages
and spoyles in almost all parts, upon w'''' Conecticutt Colony sent two Commissioners to New
Yorlve upon said Account, pretending full power, though none, howeuer not to loose time ; The
Governo" w^^ out delay assured them in writeing, liee would nott be wanting upon so extraordinary
occasion, itt importing all his Ma"" subjects and interest in those parts, and tliattif they pleased
liee was ready to endeavour procuring them an hon'"'''* and safe peace vv"" all Indyans or use
force and joyne ag" said Indyans as occasion, and to remove all jealousy would forbea^-e all
Claimes or Demands of any part of liis Roy" High"*" territoryes possessed by said Conecticutt
till orders from England, butt had no answer, however continued to keepe downe all Indyans
in warre witli them from the Inland Country.

In the latter end of Summer and beginning of winter 1G7G tlie Easterne Indians aboutt
Kenebeck prevailing much & att last destroying the whole country, driving away all Christians
from the ffishing Islands as well as Continent as farre as Black point,' wliich they tooke, and
burnt and destroyed all houses Eastward ; In December the Governo' sent his Roy" High"'
sloop to Boston and Piscattaway, ofiering free passage and releife to any droven from liis Roy"
Higlmesse territoryes aboutt Pemaquid, of which bee gaue notice to y' Governm' of y'
Massachusetts, in whose country they then were, butt were by them prohibitted to come to
New Yorke.

' Scarborough, Maine. One part of this town was known under the appellation of Black point, and the other of Blue
point The territory which was under the former name is now the cast parish. SuUivan't History of Maine, 21S. — Ed.

^56 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Upon returne of said sloope in January 167" being more particularly informed all said Easterne
parts were wholly deserted by y'' Indyans, and then neglected by Poston, who had usurped itt,
butt now lost itt, and told tlie Inhabitants 'twas the Dukes and nott their businesse, and dayly
heareing of y" number of captives, sloop and vessells taken by the Indians, doing niischeife as
farre as Piscattaway ; The Governo' resolved, and in June 1677 sent a force and strong fram'd
Redoutt in four good sloops to take possession and settle in his Roy" Higimesse right at
Pemaquid, and defend or secure the ffishery giving notice thereof to the Massachusetts and our
other neighboiu's.

Immediately upon Notice said Massachusetts presse vessells and men, and ship aboutt a
hundred and twenty to send y' way, and proclaime a day of prayer &"' in print ; & their said
forces coraming to Black Point, they land and attack some Indyans, butt lost aboutt sixty men,
so Major Clarke with the remainder went on to Pemaquid, where finding his Roy" Highnesse
forces already posted, made onely some questions and so returned.

A few days after some Indj'ans came and, being informed who were there setled, offered
submission, butt nott to include the Massachusetts, w'''' nott being accepted they went away,
butt w"''in a few days returned, and in lesse than a month all submitted to include Boston and
all his Ma"" subjects, & deliver to us all Christian captives and kettches taken, which were in
their possession ; which being signified by expresse to Boston, and in their choice whatt to do,
they assented, submitting (as they said) to Pi'ovidence.

The Indyans brought presently some, and so as fast as they could all prisoners at hand, of
which neare forty, and one Ketch, the rest dayly expected, and all likely to continue very quiett.

The Post att Pejnaquid is a wooden Redoutt with two gunns aloft, & an outworke witli two
Bastions in each of W*" two greatt guns, & one att y" Gate ;' ffifty souldiers w"" sufficient
ammunicon, stores of warre, and spare arms, victualled for aboutt eight months, & his Roy"
Highnesse sloope w"" four gunns to attend y^ Coast and ffishery, which and other charges
upon y*" accompt of y^ New England Indyan Warre, hath been very greatt, as may appeare
by his Roy" High''' accompts from New Yorke.

The latter end of August, the Governor having sent two Christians to the furthest nations of
Indyans, and Orders to meett Coll. Coursey sent as Embassadour from Maryland to treatt with
said Indyans ; The Governo"' went also to Albany to receive any addresses, or whatt they
might have to say to him : Coll. Coursey hadd answers to his sattisfaction, and the Governo''
reitterated assurances from said Indyans of their faithfullnesse, and att thatt time and place the
Governo' received leave from his R" Highnesse to goe for England if hee still desired itt, butt
with the last shipps, and to be Ready to retunie to his Govemm' with the first in y" Spring, of
which hee said nothing 'till att y' setting of y' Generall Court of Assizes in October, and then
all being quiett, hee then shewed said Letter, first to y'' Councell, then whole Court, desiring
their opinions of y' state of y^ Country, and liis goeing if itt might be w"'outt prejudice or
inconvenience to his Duly or Country, and upon their Resolves and answer thatt all was in
peace and Countrey as well settled and quiett as could bee expected att any time, and therefore
as likely as any other time for his being spared ; y-^ Governour presently resolved and declared
his goeing as soon as a vessel! then intended for England could be; ready, and by their advise
gave directions for all parts of y'' GoNcrnui' and all Magistrate's aiui Officers to bee very carefull
of their Duty, and also acquainted all our Neighbours w"' itt.

' This fort, was on n nock cif land, on ShoopsodW i-ivcr-, now ohIIimI Xcwcnstlc. Sul/imn's Histnn/ of Maine, \fii> ; Morses
Aw,'nra>: (irmjrrij.liii. Isl .-.liti.)!!, 10.-), — ICd.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 257

November y' IG"" the Governo'' parted from New Yorke, and went to take his leave of
GoVerno"' Carterett in New Jersej', & lay there all night ; the 17"' went aboard neare Staten
Island, weyed & went down in y' Bay neare Sandy point, whence hee sayled.

Endorsed

" A short Accompt of late passages at New Yorck. — Rec* from S' Edm. Andross.
in March 167S. Concern*^ the Indians."

Ordej' in Council calling for Information about New ■ Yorh and JSTew England.

[ Board of Trade Journals, II. 233. I

At the Committee for Trade and Plantations, in the Council Chamber at Whitehall
Munday the S"- of April 1678.

Present — Lord Privy Seale, Earle of Carlisle

Earle of Bridgevv-ater M' Sees' Coventry

Earle of Craven ^V Secy Williamson

M'' Ch' of y Exchecquer.

iS'' Edmund Attdros.

Their Lordships taking notice of the several! parts of the business of New-England which
hath long depended before them, M'' Sec"" Williamson acquaints the Committee that His Royall
Highness intending suddenly to despatch S' Edmund Andros to his Government of New Yorke,
had before his departure commanded him to attend their Lordshipps, and to give them the best
information he could of the state of New York, and the several colonies of New England.
And their Lordships understanding that S"" Edmund Andros was now without, to receive their
pleasure, hee is called in, and gives an account of the Government of New Yorke, of the Boundaries
granted to His Royall Highness in his Patent, and how they were disputed and a great part of
the Country possessed by Connecticut Colony, whereby great animosities had been occasioned
between them, which are likely to increase, to the great prejudice of His Majesty's affaires in
those partes if not timel)^ remedied by an impartial decision.

Hee likewise takes notice of the violent proceedings of the Magistrates of Boston during the
late Indian Warr, and their neglect of the matters he moved them in for a more timely
suppressing the Indians, and for receiving the assistance hee was ready to give them, both in
sending them a considerable force from his own Government, and by drawing the Mohawks
his neighboring Indians, to join against those in enmity with the Confederate Colonies. In
acknowledgment whereof they had divulged and published, not only in several printed Books,
but in their Declaration, or manifesto of warr against those Indians, that they had been
recruited with ammunition from Albany and thereby had registered such a penalty upon the
Inhabitants of his Government that hee has reason to be afraid that many of them may suffer
Vol. IIL 83

258 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

upon the pretence of this Crime, if at any time they shall happen to come within the reach of
the Massachusetts, or to depend on their Justice.

Whereas on the Contrary hee used effectual endeavours and made severe injunctions against
the furnisiiing those Indians with amnumition or Provisions of vvarr; thi.t he is confident they
had noe sort of supplys from his Government.

Hee further setts forth how useful hee had been to them in the final subduing their Indian
enemies, and settling of tlie peace and quiet which they now are in.

Whereupon their Lordships desiring to have a particular account and that in writing, of
what relates as well unto liis government as the neighbouring colonies of New England, doe
propose that His Royall Highness bee moved that S'' Edmund Andros may give in some
information touching New Yorke upon the General heads of Enquiry which are usually sent to
the Plantations.

And as to New England it is ordered that some particular queries be prepared which may
lead him to those Informations touching that colony which may give light into tiieir behavior,
soe as to guide their Lordsliips in advising His Ma"^ to such method for the settlement and
regulation thereof as may best conduce to his Royal Service.

Petition of Governor Andros.

[ New- York Entries, I. 34. ]

To the King's most Excellent Ma"'*^ and the Right bono''" the Lords of His Mat^'' most
Hon''" Privy Council

The humble Peticon of S'' Edmund Andros Knight Seigneur of Sausmares
Lieutenant and Governor of ^evf Yorke and other Territorys in America
under His Royal Highness y'' Duke of Yorke.
Shctveth

That having in October 1G74 received New Yorke and other places from the Dutch, and used
his utmost diligence according to his Commission for the well setling and good government
thereof hee endeavoured by all possible meanes to keep a fair correspondence with your Ma"'
neighboring Colonies in New England, and to bee assisting unto them in their most necessitous
occasions as by the many profers and great services during their Indian warr and by his
Subjection of the Eastward Indians at the very great charge and expence of His Royal Highness
does manifestly appear. And, amongst other things, hee did more particularly make a most
strict and effectual prohibition of the sale of powder and other Annuunition. Notwithstanding
all which the Colony of the Massachusets Bay in tiie declaration of warr printed by them in the
beginning of winter IG75 and in books of the said warr printed since doe declare aiul, without
complaint or notice, asperse all your Ma'>" subjects at Albany with iiaving recruited Philip and
otiier their Indian Enemys particularly with amnumition from that place, And whereas the said
Massacluisets have hitherto not only forborne to allege the least colour or to give satisfaction
tho' demanded for this public Imputation but doo still countenance and allow tlie said printed
Declaration and Books which are dayly sold in their Colony.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 259

Therefore in belialfe of all your JNIa"" good subjects living in those parts, and for securing
them from the penaltys which may bee inflicted on them by the Massachusets for this imputed
crime, if found within their Jurisdiction

The pef most humbly prays yo"" Ma''° in your great wisdome and Justice to cause inquiry to
bee made into tlie truth of this matter, while the Agents of the said Colony are yet attending your
Ma'>', And accordingly to give your Royal Orders as well for the punishment of the offenders as
for procuring a better correspondence among your Ma"" Neighbouring Subjects in these parts
for the future.

And y"" pef Sc"

Read in Council the 9'" of April 1678.

Order in Council on the preceding Petition.

[Privy CouncU Register, C. R. II., XIII. 2S6. ]

At the Court at Whitehall this 9"> of April 1678. —

Present — The King's Most Excellent Majesty,

in Council.

The Agents of New England to answer Sir Edminid Andres his Peticon

Upon reading this day at y* Board y' Peticon of Sir Edmund Andros, Knight, Seigneur of
Someres, L' and Governour of New Yorke and other Territorys in America under His Royal
Highness, complaining that notwithstanding his great proffers and services done to y' neighboring
Colonies of New England in the late Indyaii warr, and his subjection of y* Eastward Indyans
at his Ro3'al Highnesse's great charge, and particularly in his strict proiiibition of y* sale of
powder and other ammunition. Yet the Colonj^ of Massachusetts Bay in their declaration of
warr there, printed in 1675 and in Bookes of y* said warr printed since do declare, and asperse
all his Ma'5"' subjects in Albany, with having excited Philip and other their Indyan Enemyes
w"" ammunition from that place and have since refused to allege the least colour for this thing,
or give satisfaction, (though required), for this publique imputation, and still allow and coun-
tenance the vending the sayd Bookes amongst y"". And therefore for securing y* sayd people
from y* penaltys w"^"" may be inflicted on y"" by y* sayd Massachusetts for this imputed crime
(if found amongst y") humbly pray** his Ma'^" to cause inquiry to be made of the truth of this
matter while y' agents of y* sayd Colony are yet here, and thereupon to give such order for
y' punishment of y^ oftenders as for procuring a better correspondency amongst y"" for y^ future,
as to his Ma''' should seeme meete ; His Ma'*' was pleased to Order, and it is accordingly
ordered, that a copy of y' sayd Peticon be given to y*" sayd Agents of the Massachusetts, who
are required forthwith to returne their answer to this Complaint unto this Board, That
thereupon his Ma"' may declare his further pleasure.

2(0) NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Anmvers of Governor Andros to Enquiries about JVew-Yorh

[ New-Vorl; Tapers, I. 139.]

Answers to the Inquiries of Plantacons for New Yorke.

1. The Governo' is to have a Councell not e.\ceeding teun, w"" whose advice to act for the
safty & good of the country, & in every towne, Village or parish a Petty Court, & Courts of
Sessions in the severall precincts being three, on Long Island, & Townes of New Yorke,
Albany & Esopus, & some smale or poore Islands & out places ; And the General! Court of
Assizes composed of the Governo"' & Councell & all the Justices & Magistrates att New Yorke
once a yeare, the Petty Courts Judge of fine pounds, & then may appeale to Sessions, they to
twenty pounds & then may appeale to Assizes to y' King, all s"* courts as by Law.

2. The Court of Admiralty hath been by speciall Comission or by the Court of Mayor &
Aldermen att New Yorke.

3. The cheife Legislatiue power there is in the Govenio'' with advice of the Councell the
executive power of Judgem" giuen by y* Courts is in the sheriffs & other civill officers.

4. The law booke in force was made by the Governo" & Assembly att Hempsted in 166-5
and since confirmed by his Royall Highnesse.

5. The Militia is about 2000 of w'='' about 140 horse in three troopes the foote formed into
companyes most under 100 men each all indifferently armed with fire amies of all sizes, ordered
& exercised according to Law, and are good fire men ; one standing company of Souldiers with
gunners & other officers for the ffbrts of New Yorke & Albany alwayes victualled in October
& November for a yeare.

6. Forteresses are James ffiarte seated upon a point of New Yorke towne between Hudson's
River & y* Sound, its a square with stone walls, foure bastions almost regular, and in it 46
gunns mounted & stores for seruice accordingly. Albany is a smale long stockadoed forte with
foure bastions in it, 12 gunns sufficient ag' Indians, & lately a wooden redout & out worke att
Pemaquid w"" seven gunns, s"* Garrisons victualled for a yeare, w"" sufl'' stores.

7. There are noe privateers about o'' Coasts.

8. Our Neighbours westward are Mar)'land populous & strong but doe not live in townes,
tiieir produce tobacco, Northwest the Maques Sc" Indians y^ most warr like in all the Northern
Parts of America, their trade beavers & furrs. Northward the ftrench of Canada trade as wee
with our Indians ; Eastward Connecticutt in a good condicon & populous, their produce provisioun
of wheate, beefe & porke, some pease, o"' South bounds the Sea.

9. Wee keepe good Correspondence with all o'' neighbours as to Civill, legall or Judiciall
proceedings, but differ with Connecticutt for our bounds and mutuall assistance w'*" they nor
Massachusetts will not admitt

10. Our boundarys are South, the Sea, west Delaware ; North to y* Lakes or ffi-ench ; East
Connecticutt River, but most usurped & yett possed by s** Connecticutt, some Islands Eastward
& a tract beyond Kennebeck River called Pemaquid &"= New Yorke is in 40'' 35™ Albany ab'
43'' the CoUony is in severall long narrow stripes of w'''' a greate parte of the Settlem* made by
adventurers before any Regulacon by w"^'' Incroachm" without patients w'"" townes haue lately
taken but by reason of Continuall warrs noe Survey made & wildernesse, noe certaine
Computacon can be made of the planted & uuplanted, these last 2 yeares about 20000 acres
taken up & pattented for particular persons besides Delaware, most of the land taken up e.\cept

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 261

upon Long Island is improued & unlesse the bounds of the Duke's pattent be asserted noe
great quantityes att hand undisposed.

11. Our principall places of Trade are New Yorke & Southton except Albany for the Indyans,
our buildings most wood, some lately stone & brick, good country houses & strong of their
severall kindes.

12. Wee haue about 2-4 townes, villiages or parishes in Six Precincts, Divisions, Rydeiugs, or
Courts of Sessions.

13. Wee haue severall Riuers, Harbours & lloades. Hudson's River the cheifest & is ab' i
fathoms water att comeing in butt six, tenn or more within & very good soundings and
anchorage either in Hudson's River or in the Sound, the usuall roade before the towne &
moulde.

14. Our produce is land provisions of all sorts as of wheate exported yearly about 60000
bushells, pease, beefe, porke, & some Refuse fish. Tobacco, beavers, peltry or furrs from the
Indians, Deale & oake timber, plankes, pipestaues, lumber horses, & pitch & tarr lately begunn
to be made ; comodityes imported are all Sorts of English mannufacture for Christians &
blancketts Duffells &' for Indians about 50,000" yearly Pemaquid affords merchantable ffish
& masts.

15. Wee haue noe Experience or skill of Salt Peter to be had in Quantityes.

16. Our Merch" are not many but with inhabitants & planters about 2000 able to beare arnies
old inhabitants of the place or of England, Except in & neere New Yorke of Dutch extraction
& some few of all nations, but few serv" much wanted & but very few slaves.

17. Noe persons whateuer are to come from any place but according to Act off' Pari' w'^'" the
ISIagistrates & Officers of y^ severall townes or places are to take care of, accordingly the Plantacon
is these late yeares increased, butt noe Generall ace' hath been taken soe is not knowne how
much nor what persons. Some few slaues are sometimes brought from Barbados, most for
provisions & Sould att ab' SO" or 35'' Country pay.

18. Ministers haue been so scarce & Religions many that noe ace' cann be giuen of Childrens
births or Christenings.

19. Scarcity of Ministers & Law admitting marriages by Justices no ace' cann be giuen of the
number marryed.

20. Noe ace' cann be giuen of burialls formes of burialls not being generally obserued & few
ministers 'till very lately.

21. A merch' worth 1000" or 500" is accompted a good substantiall merchant & a planter
worthe halfe that in moveables accompted with' All the Estates may bee valued att about
.£150000.

22. There may lately haue traded to y^ Collony in a yeare from tenn to fifteen shipps or
vessells of about togeather 100 tunns each, English, new England & our ovpne built of w"" 5
smale shipps and a Ketch now belonging to New Yorke foure of them built there.

23. Obstruccons to Improuem' of planters, trade, Navigacon, & mutual assistance are y'
distinction of Collonies for our owne produce, as if different nations & people, though next
neighbours on the same tract of land, & His Ma"" subjects, wee obseruing acts of trade &
navigacon &"=

24. Advantages, lucouragem' & Improuem' of I'lanters trade & Navigacon would be more it
next neighbours of o' owne nation the King's subjects upon the same tract of land might without

' "Rich." Chahnerit Annals, 603. — Ed.

262 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

distinction, supply each other with our owne produce, punctually obserueing all acts of Parliam*
for Exportacon & would dispose all persons the better for mutuall assistance.

25. Rates or Dutyes upon Goods exported are 2* for each hhd of Tobacco & 1' S"* on a beauer
skin & other peltry proportionably, Provisions & all else paye nothing, Goods imported payes 2
per cent except Liquors particularly rated something more, & Indian trade goeing up the river
payes 3 per cent, there are some few quitt rents, as also Excise or license monys for retaileing
strong drinke & a way house or publique scale ; all appl3'ed to y" Garrison & publique charge,
to which it hath not heitherto sufficed by a greate deale.

26. There are Religions of all sorts, one Church of England, severall Presbiterians &
Independants, Quakers & Anabaptists, of severall sects, some Jews, but presbiterians &
Indipend" most numerous & substantiall.

27. The Duke maintaines a chapline w'^'' is all the certaine allowance or Chirch of England,
but peoples free gifts to y' ministry. And all places oblidged to build churches & provide for a
minister, in w'^'' most very wanting, but presbiterians & Independents desierous to haue &
maintaine them if to be had, There are ab' 20 churches or Meeting places of w'^'' aboue halfe
vacant their allowance like to be from 40" to 70" a yeare and a house and garden. Noe
beggars but all poore cared flbr. If good Ministers could be had to goe theither might doe well &
gaine much upon those people.

Endorsed

" Answers of inquiries of New Yorke.
Rec"* from S'' Edm. Andros on the 16""
of Ap. 1678."

Governor Andres' answer to Enc[uirieH of the Couiicil of Trade.

[ New England, II. 140. ]

Answers to enquiries of Plantacons of New England from the Right Hon'''' the
Lords of the Comittee for Trade and Plantacons : Rec"* in London 9""
Aprill 1078.

1. The boundaryes of each collony are those expressed in their severall pattents, but some
being possessed afore, or incroached more since, and all in contest in some particulers with their
neighbours, none will acquesse, and each true boundaryes & contents of land cann never be
determined and knowne but by the Kings Royall authority.

2. I cann give noe other ace' of the lawes and ordanances in force in the Colloiiyes then
what is publique and printed by s'' Collonyes.

3. I cann give noe certaine ace' of the number of inhabitants in the severall Collonyes,
having by reason of the unsettled government of New Yorke, as received from the Dutch, not
had time or oppertunity for't, but by heare say. Connecticutt in all the country they now
possesse have about 3000 freemen able to beare arines : Roade Islands 1000 or 1200 ; Plymouth
about 1000 or 1.500 : Massachusetts 8 or 10000, most Church Members, as are all in place or

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 263

authority (except Roade Islands Quakers, but governm' now out of their hands) not many
servants, & but few slaves, proportionable to freemen, the number of Magistrates is as by the
patients and lawes of the severall Collonyes,

4. There are noe standing forces and but few militia horse, but most foott trained bands
in companyes, as by the severall Collonyes lawes, (numbers as afore), & know of noe noted
experienced officer among them.

5. There's in New England one small castle or forte upon a little Island att the goeing into
Boston, indiflerently well fortified and capable of annoying and resisting any ordinary enimy &
(is sayed to be) furnished with anumicon of warr accordingly, & know of noe other fortificacon
in the Collonyes.

0. I doe not know that private p''sons have been p'hibited communicacon nor that y' Collonyes
kept any correspondence with the French or Indians.

7. I was not made acquainted with the originall cause, nor by the Collony, of the Indian
Warr, nor cann give any good ace' thereof; but the advantages thereby are none, the disad-
vantages very greate & like to be more, even in the losse of s** Indians. Doe not know of any
condicons or peace made by the CoUonys with the Indians, only the Massachusetts, accepting
y^ peace made for them by y^ Dukes forces att Pemaquid ; w'"" is like to bee durable, unlesse
broken by some accident by y* inveteracy of the Collonyes and Indians.

S. The Colloneys and iNew Yorke have kept good neighbourly correspondency in private or
perticuler legall & judicial! matters ; but Connecticutt & Massachusetts not accepted nor
admitted proffered supplyes & assistances (from ^ew Yorke) dureing their Indian Warr, nor in
their greatest occasion agreed themselves. Mutual! helps in case of danger ought to be
according to y exigence & each collonyes capassity to their power as one people and country ;
w'^'" (by reason of the severall distinct independ' collonys) cannot be but by His Ma"" asserting
& regulateing the militia or force of y* severall collonyes ; w""" regulacon and orders to be
indifferently obeyed by all for the future.

9. If the force of all the severall Collonyes were ordered for mutuall assistance (as occasion)
and be vigilant to avoyd surprize of their principall strengths or forts (w'='' therefore ought to be
garrisoned) they may defend themselves ag" any X''"" force whose charge & hazard for the
attempt would not be farr greater then the country could compensate, & need not feare but
may bring any Indians to reason ; & unlesse such regulacon & ord" for mutuall assistance, every
Collony may be a prey to an invader

10. The comodityes of y*" country to y' westward are wheate & all sorts of graine beefe and
porke, some refuse fish, pipe staves, timber, lumber & horses, some smale masts; Eastward the
same, not soe much p''visious, but good merchantable fish, & good masts. Imported, are all
manner of European goods of all sorts, cheifely wollen & other English manufactures, & linnings,
some wines from Fyall & Medera ; and a Barbadoes & West Indie trade, from whence cheifely
rumm.

11. I cann give noe accompt of the number of shipps tradeing to y* severall Collonyes,
though but few and not considerable to any Collony, except Massachusetts, where very many
and good shipps of burthen, some 2 or 300 tunns, most built in their owne Collony.

12. The acts of trade and navigacon are sayed & is generally beleeved not to be observed in
y" Collonyes as they ought, there being noe Custome houses ; but the Goverao'' of the Massa-
chusetts gives cleareings certificates & passes for every paiticuler thing from thence to New
Yorke.

.264 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

13. I cann give noe otiier ace' of the Collonyes customes or dutyes on goods then as their
law bookes and their rates fines and taxes are adjudged by their courts, magistrates or inferior
officers, as occasion; & being casuall or accidental!, their revenue is accordingly uncertaine.

14. 1 doe not iinowe that there is any superioritie of one Collouy over another, but all
independS though generally give place to and are most influenced by the Massachusetts, both
in state and religion.

15. I doe not find but the generality of the Magistrates and people are well affected to y'
King & Kingdome, but most knowing noe other govemm* then their owne, think it best, and
are wedded to and oppiniate for iL And y*' Magistrates & others in place, chosen by the
people, think that they are oblidged to assert & maintaine s"" Government all they cann, and are
Church Members, and like soe to be, chosen, and to continue without any considerable
alteracon and change there, and depend upon the people to justifie them in their actings.

16. There are severall sorts of religions in all the Collonyes, but inconsiderable to y'
Presbiterians and Independ'^; being only allowed (but not all Church Members) except att
Roade Island, where most are Quakers, but government now out of their hands. I have not
heard of any Church or Assembly according to y' Cimrch of England in any the Collonyes ;
their Ecclesiasticall Government is as in their law^ bookes, and practice most or wholly
independant. Their Colledge at Cambridge directed as by their law booke.

17. Tliere is a trade between tlie Collonyes and New Yorke of European goods, some wine
and rumm, fish and provisions.

(Signed) E. Axdross.

SlLort Account of the A-S'sistance rendered hy New - York to JVew England.

[New- York Papers, I. 136. ]

Upon newes of Indian troubles in June 167-5 the Governo'' without delay advised & resolued
sending or goeing to o"" neighbours of w<^'' gave presently notice to Hereford of Intent & to goe
to Connecticutt Riuer & the same day shipt spare ammunicon & amies w'^'" they wanted &
next morneing himselfe witii some Volunteers & souldiers sailed to s** River accordingly, where
he did imediately tender, lending both powder & annes to be repayed in kind when the
occasions was ouer & they could be supplyed, & alsoe sent some to New London next towne to
y' Indians desireing to be further informed of s"' troubles & assureing his readynesse to act as
fitt for him to his power, but s'' proffers wholy rejected though ammunicon & amies very much
wanted, & a severe protest made ag' him as if an Invader of their Country, upon which he
Immediately went ouer to y^ East End of Long Island & supplyed it & all o"" out Islands giueing
necessary Ord" for our defence upon all occasions euery where & to all Indians around us, who
then apply'd with all submission & gaue all obseruance of ffidelity well obserued dureing the
whole warr but howeuer wee kept good continued guards by land & water.

1675 In Autunine tlie Indian warr Increaseing Eastward & Comeing more westerly, tlie
governo'' prohibited the saile of powder to Indians on severe penaltyes extending to life (except

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 265

to Maques of W^"" well assured & upon notice of want sent (masked) six barrells of jjovvder
to roade Island w"^"" tliey accepted & after therewith supplyed New England fforces in want att
Narragansett fight.

lG7f In winter 167f Phillip & other Indians in two partyes armed his ah' 500 the other 400
men tending westward within forty miles of Albany, Connecticutt & Boston refuseing assistance
or persueinge them into their Collonys wee howeuer supplyed o"' Indyans with ammuuicon, amies
& all they wanted : & reced old Maques Sachems, women & children into o"" townes & though
refused by o'' neighbours the latter end of ffebruary fell upon killed & tooke severall & drove s^
Phillip & other Indians with him quite away, & since kept continuall partyes out to free the
coasts towards us & prevent old Indyans recourse to Cannada.

167G. In summer 1676 y« Indians prevailing much Eastward & towards Connecticutt, they
sent thereupon two Comissioners to New Yorke, pretending Authority but haueinge none, y*
Gouemour returned answer of readyuesse if they pleased to procure them an hon*''" and safe
peace with Indians, or use force as occasion, & to remoue all Jealousies would forbeare all
claymes to that parte of the Collony they possesse in his Royall Highnesses Pattants but had noe
answer. Upon news of great devastacon eastward of boston y^ latter end of y'^ yeare 1676 the
Governo'' sent to releife & offer retreate to y' Inhabitants fled to Pi'scataway & Boston but they
were detained.

1677. In June 1677 black point' being repossessed by IMassachusetts but all y*" Country else
eastward & Islands distroyed & possessed by Indians the Go verm' sent from New-Yorke of
w"^*" notice to all o' neighbours, a force of about 100 men very well victualled in foure vessells
furnished with smale guuns & all stores of warr & framed Redoute to take Possion of Pemaquid
&," by fortifieing the most convenient place they could & not to admitt peace with Indians but
upon their full submission & deliuering up all X"" prisoners or Captiues & vessells «& lucludeiug
all his Ma"" subjects particulerly the Massachusetts W^ succeded though with difficulty for
the Massachusetts admission to Peace, & all Captiues of w"'*' 35 by name & vessells att hand
were presently delivered, att sending to acquaint the Massachusetts of the designe they proclaimed
a fast & day of prayer, leuyed or pressed about 120 men w'='' they alsoe sent East ward of w""
i being killed by Indians att black point the rest proceeded to o" att Pemaquid but finding
them already posted they friendly questioned our comeing there & soe returned afore the
Indians applycacons, w^*" comeing some dayes after & conclusion as afore, an Expresse was sent
to acquaint the Massachusetts therewith, & they accepted s"* peace w'"" still continues & is all
the peace (knowTie) they haue with Indyans.

" A shorte ace' of New Yorks assistance to New England. 1677.
Rec"* from S"' Edmund Audros on y« IS"" of Aprill 1678."

' See Kote, ante p. 255.

Vol. III. 34

266 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Answer of the Agenis of 3fassacJiusett9 to Governor Androi Petition.

[ New-York Papers, I. 137. ]

To the Kixg's most Excell' Ma'J' And tlie Lords of Ids most Hon'''^ Privy Couiicill.

The Answer of William Stoughton and Peter Bulkley Agents for Your Ma"
Colony of the Massachusetts Bay in New England, to the Peticon of S"
Edmund Andros Kn' His Royall Highness' Lieut' and Governo"' of New
Yorke in America.

Most liumhhj Shcwcth

That at this distance they are noe way furnished either with those severall informacons, w^^
were given both by the Captive Indians, and alsoe by the English, that being taken by the
enemy and detained amongst them, were redeemed or otherwise made their escape.
Concerning the supply of Powder Sl" from the parts of Albany W^^ Sachem Phillip and the
enemy Indians did Trade and receive dureing the late warre, nor with what passed betweene
the Pef and your Ma'* Governo'' & Councill of the Massachusetts upon his takeing exception
to a Clause menconed in their Declaracon.

And for further answer they say that they understand not how either the Pef or any in place
under him hath beene soe reflected on, or preiudiced by any thing in the said Declaracon, or
other Bookes, as he conceives and represents, it being very possible that notwithstanding strict
prohibition, and care to the contrary, yet Phillip and his Complices might obtaine amunition
from those parts without the knowledge of those in authority there, of the indirect and wicked
practices of such evill minded persons, who will easily venture all for gaine ; yet who these
were in particular was never (that these Respondents know of) discover'd to your Ma"
Governm' of the Massachusetts, and therefor there can be noe danger of any mans being
punished by them as is suggested.

But if your Ma'^ in your wisedome shall see cause to require a more particuler answer from
your Governor and Councell aforesaid: These Respondents doubt not of a most ready
obedience to your Ma" Comands therein, who for themselves (as in duty they are bound) will
to their utmost endeavor the removeing of any misunderstanding betweene the Pef and your
Ma" government of the Massachusetts, and that all good correspondence may be promoted and
maintained with your Ma" Colonies theire Neighbours ; soe much tending unto the advancem'
of your Ma" interest and service, and the welfare and happiness of your Ma" subjects there
inhabiting.

Endorsed

" The answer of y' Agents of New England to y' Peticon of S"^ Edmund Andross
R" Ap. 24"" 1G7S."

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 267

Order in Council on the preceding Ansiver.

[ Frivy CouncU Kegister, C. K. II., XIII. 806. ]

At the Court at "Wliitehall the this 24'" of April 1G7S.

Present — The King's Most Excellent Ma'''

iu Council.

The Massachusetts not to inmish any of y° j)eoplc of Albany till notice he given to his Ma'^.

Upon reading this day at y' Board the Answer of William Sloughton and Peter Bulkeley
Agents for his Ma'^' Colony of y' Massachusetts Bay in New England to y' Peticon of Sir
Edmund Andres Knight, his Royal Highness' L' and Governour of New Yorke in America, and
consideration had thereof, his Ma'^ was pleased to declare that he finds noe cause to heleive
that any of his subjects from y* parts of Albany did supply any powder or other materials for
warr to Philip or other ludyau Ennemys in those parts, neither could he perceive any cause or
ground for y^ imputation layd upon his sayd subjects of Albany by y* Massachusetts, and
therefore was pleased to order and direct, and it is hereby Ordered and directed accordingly
That none of y" sayd subjects of Albany be lyable to any such imputation unless the
JNIassachusetts shall accuse any particular person thereof and shall legally proceed against such
persons in order to their conviction of y'^ Crimes layd to their charge in the places where they
iuhabite or shall be informed ag' and proved delinquent before his Ma'^ in Councill, within one
year to be accounted from y'' date hereof, And y^ Governour and Councill of y* sayd Colony
of Massachusetts, and all others concerned therein are required to take notice and punctually
observe the same. And it was further Ordered that the sayd Agents of y* Massachusetts (now
l»re) doe take care to transmit! this his Ma''^ pleasure to y' sayd Massachusetts Colony by y"
first opportunity for y' purposes aforesayd.

Warrant to Sir Allen and Sir Peter Apsley in favor of Governor Andros.

[New-York Entries, CLI. 25.]

Whereas by an ace' of the Rec" and disbursem'' ordinary and Extraordinary for y' Colony
and Guarrison of New Yorke in America from June 1G74 to y" first day of November 1677
exclusive, given in by S"' Edm** Andros Ku' my L' and Governour there, and stated by my
Audif Gen" it appeares that there is due from me upon the ballance of the said ace' the sume
of ,£1381. 10. 5^- beaver pay (w'^'' iu sterling money amounts to about y' value of £1100., and
whereas I have thought fitt y' the same be forthwith paid to y* s** S'' Edm"* Andros in ord"^ to his
speedy returiie into those parts : These are therefore to will and require you forthwith to pay
or cause to be paid unto y' said S' Edm** Andros or his ord"" y* sume of eleven hundred pound

2Q&I^ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

sterling ; and for soe doeing this, together w"' his rec' shalbe to you a sufficient Warr' and to
my Audif Gen" for allowing the same upon your ace' Given und'' my hand at S' James's y' IS
day of May 1078.

To S"' Allen and S"' Peter Apsley Kn"
my Trears and Rec" Gen"

Warrant authorizing Governor Andro-9 to increase the Duty on imported Rum.

[New-Tork Enlries, CLI. L'5.]

Whereas I am credibly informed y' the excessive use of rumme in your govenim' hath
many pernitious consequences and particularly is fatall to y" health of many of his Ma'^ good
subjects there, one reason of w"*" excesse is supposed to be from y^ smallnesse of the duty on
importacon of the same (vv'^'' the Bosteners have already in some measure prevented by rayseing
the s** duty considerably within their colony.) These are therefore to authorise and require you
w"" y* advice of your Councell assone as you shall arrive at New Yorke to encrease y* said duty
on y^ importacon of rume from time to time as you shall judge fitting; to continue dureing my
pleasure. Provided that in y* whole y" said duty be not greater within your goverum' y" it is
at y' same time y' you soe encrease it, in any other of your neighbour Colonyes : For which
y' shalbe your Warr'. Given und"' my hand at S' James's the IS"' day of May 1678.

To 8'" Edmund Andros lui' my L' &

Govern'' of New Yorke, w"" its

Dependencyes in America

Commission to Governor Andros to appoint a Judge of Admiralty.

[ Ncw-Tr.rk Entries, CLI. 26. ]

Whereas it may be convenient for you to be authorised and empowered to appoint a Judge
Register and Marshall of the Admiralty within your governm' by reason of its distance from
hence, (notwithstanding the clause in your comission of Vice Admirall w'"" reserves the
nomination of them to my selfe) These are therefore to authorize and empower you, and I doe
hereby authorise & empower you from time to time dureing the vacancyes of the said places to
nominate constitute and appoint the Judge Register and Marshall of the Admiralty afores'' to
continue dureing my pleasure only. (Jiven under my hand and scale at S' James's y' 20"' day
of May 167S.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. ^69

Rqyorf of Counsel on the Petition of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer.

[Npw-York Pap™, B. II. 104.]

May it. please Your Royall Highness

We have in pursuance of the refference unto us upon the Report of the Gov of New York
and the Pet" of the heiress of Killiaen van Renssellaer considered thereof, and do find both, by
the Governors Report and several acts or adjudications in Holland, whereby the right of the
Pet" to the lands called the Rensselaers Wyck heretofore called Williamstad and now Albany,
doth of right belong unto the Petition" by a sale made to their predecessors in the year 1630.
and have been for some years unduely kept out of the enjoyment thereof, and do humbly
conceive that it may be just for your Royall Highness (if you so please) to grant unto the Pet"
the said Ransselaers Wyck colonic with such priviledges and imunities as formerly they had,
excepting the Fort called Orange-Fort and tiie land it stands upon, that whereas dureing the
time they have been out of possession viz' since the years 16-52. divers persons have built
several houses upon some part of the premises, that such persons shall hold and enjoy the same
for one and thirty years from tliis time, paying to the Pet" yearly the value of two beaver skins
for the great houses, and for the middle sort of houses one Beaver skin and for tiie lesser half
the value of a Beaver skin during tlie term which the Pet" do assent unto, and with this also
that the Pet" and all that shall claime under them shall from time to time well and truelly pay
and performe all publick dutyes and impositions as formerly have been by them, or their
predecessors and all such as shall be imposed on them by Your Royall Higlmesse or your
Governors upon the other persons that hold and enjoy any part of Your Highnesses lands or
Colonies which [He] in your territories of New I'orke or Albany.

John Churchhill
Hen'eage Fi\ch.

London
4 Junij 167S.

Warrant to Governor Andres to issue a Patent for Rensselaerswyck.

[ New-York Enlries, CLI. 26. ]

Whereas I have perused y« peticon of y' heires of Killian Van Renselaer setting forth their
right to certaine lands called the Renselaers-Wicke (heretofore called Williamstadt and now
Albany) and have heard the opinions of yours^fe and of my Councell at Law thereupon : these
are to will and require you to cause Letters Patents under the Scale of your governem' to be
granted to y^ said Pet" to graunt and confirme unto y"" y' s* Renselaers-Wicke Colony w"" such
privileges and imunities as formerly they had (excepting y* fort called Oranges Fort and its
outworkes, if any be, and y* lands they stand upon) and whereas dureing y* time they have
beene out of possession, viz' since y* yeare 16-52. divers persons have built several! houses upon
some part of the p''misses, you are to take care y' such p''sons and all deriveing und"" y"" shall
remaine in quiet possession of y' same yeilding and paying dureing the terme of 31 yeares to

270 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Comence from y' date of y" Lres Pattents abovemenconed, unto y' said peticoners or their
assignes such yearely rent as you w"" the advice of yo' Counc^ll shall thinke reasonable, not
exceeding y' value of two Beaver skins for y* great houses and of one Beaver skin for y^
middle sort of houses and of halfe a Beaver skin ibr the lesser sort of houses, and from and
after y' expiracon of y* said 31 yeares the rent for y« future to be agreed on betweene y= said
partyes themselves or as you or your successo" for y' time being, w"" y' advice of your
Councell shall judge reasonable. All w<^'' y* s'' Pet" doe assent unto. And further you are
to take care y* y* Petit" and all y' clainie und"' y™ shall from time to time well and truly pay
and p'forme all publique dutyes and impositions as formerly have beene by y" or their p''decess"
and all such as shalbe imposed by my selfe or by you or other my L' Govern" for y* time being
upon y* other persons y' hold and enjoy any part of y* lands or Colony es w'''in the territories
of New Yorke or Albany or their Dependencyes in America. For all w'''' y' shalbe your Warr'
Given under my hand & Seale at S' James's y' 7"" day of June 167S.

To S' Edm** Andros Kn' andTJovern' of
New Yorke and its Dependencyes in
America

Memoranduni hy CtqAain Bredon.

[New-England, II. 15'J.]

Capt. Bredon Concerning N. Eng"* Aug" 1678.

That during y' time of Oliver, New England had alwayes an Agent here ; one Windslow
was y^ man.

That one 4"" of y* children there are not christened, for they neither baptise or give the
Sacrament to other then those of their Congregation in fellowshipp. Tlio' most come to
Church for feare of y^ 5' p. Sunday.

They must enter Covenant.

That one Sedgwick was sent about 1656 to rayse men at Boston, w'^'" he did, to reduce New
Amsterdam, but newescomeing y' by treaty it was given up, he carryed those men (and Levirett
with them he tiiinkes) to subdue y*" French broile ; wherein one of the partyes appealed to y'
Protector.

But when in June 1G62 Capt. Bredon was lifting men for y' expedition under y' title he
derived from M"' EUott of y' Bedchamber (before S"' T. Temple regained it) the Governour of
Boston called for his commission, w'"" having shewne, " the King," sayed he " has granted what
was not in his power, for we have a Charter for all" — putt Bredon in prison for 24 howres, till
he gave security to desist. (Noe sucli beliaviour to Sedgwick sent by Cromwell ; lie was after
Governour of Jamaica.)

That when y' Commissioners went over, tliey had different quarters assigned them; but
they chose all to lodge at Cap' Bredous.

4^

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 271

They had exposed Iheir coniission about a week before to y" Governotir and Councill; but
as y* Com" were begining w"" the businesse of one Deane (about a shipp seisd contrary to y*
Act of Navigation) there came a rable of about 100 before the dore, a sort of herault and a
ti'umpeter, proclaiming a prohibition to y' Com" to proceede, or to any to attend at their perills.

That one Peirce a great fanaticlv came first with newes of the K' restoration, w"" y* K' flagg
in y' mayne topp. He brought Goff and Whally who calld themselves Richardson and Stevenson
(as their fathers were called ;) Bredon advised seisure : the Governour them &*=

M"* To mention how Humphres & Cradock are here and calld on to answer by y* Great
Councill.

Was it purposed y' all y^ Patentees should goe over; or were they here such men of bulke
and estate as to make y* unlikely. If so, explaine y* and speake of y* men.

Q. How were they to fai'e who never went over and wiiat was their advantage. The
Quoi'um.

^r Not -pijg King must either have a Governour there, or must iiave y' Absolute Governour
of y* place here.

Q. Did y* Company ever sitt here, as y* Quo Warranto explaines, or was y' only to lay y«
action.

The shipp Eagle was here brought by y* Company.

(Indorsed)

Paper about Cap* Bredon
Aug" 167S.

Governor Andros to Mr. Blathwayt.

[ New-Tork Entries, I. 40 - 42. ]

New Yorke y= IG"- of Sepf^ 1678.
S'

After nine weeks passage the 7"" past I arrived here, where I found things quiet, tho' much
allarmed with rumours of war, which occasioned extraordinary public charges, I have since
received letters from the Governor of Maryland, of mischiefs done by strange Indians, on
some of their Indians and Christians (also^ in the parts of Virginia and Maryland appre-
hending 'tis the Sineques, and the beginning of a Warr, which I cannot think said Sineques as
well as Moquas, having been always very good and faithfuU to this Government and kind to all
Christians a this side, though since being treated witli- by our neighbours have been rude and
insolent, and the Moquas fetched away by fierce friend Indians of Conecticut, as they write to
mee, and was owned when they sent to demand, but noe satisfaction given, whicli wee must
expect and bee lyable to, so long as each petty colony hath or assumes absolute power of peace
and warr, which cannot bee managed by such popular Governments as was evident by the late
Indian wars in New England. And I doe not find but they are as high as ever, as may appear
by the inclosed printed paper asserting and disposing of Narraganset Country at this juncture,

272 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

tliousli hitherto wholy distinct from and not under any their Colonies, and by the King's
Commissioners in IG(i4, called King's rrovince, and put under Rhode Island 'till further Order,
of which or appeal to the King desired by Rhode Island they will not hear, nor at all admit ;
Alsoe how well tiiey observe Acts of Parliament for Enteries or Clearings of Ships or Goods, or
take the Oaths is dayly seen.

I thought to have gone to Pemaquid this year, it having proved very advantageous to the
Fishery, by containing all the Indians in those Parts within the Rules and bounds prescribed
them when they submitted ; but by advice of my Counsel have deferred going 'till Spring, when,
all having notice, I may the better, by advice upon the place, settle things as they ought, for a
continuance. In the mean time former Orders to bee observed as farr as Black Point being
what the Indians were possessed of, when they submitted, and imports the quiet of all, as well
as His Royal Highness though born hitherto both risce and charge, Nor shall I value the
Bostoners telling lye upon their pretended purchase from M' Gorges unless Ordered from home,
which I think will not bee unheard, or place viewed, and defective Boundaryes elsewhere alsoe
setled, particularly of the same Tract Eastward, as well as between this and Conecticut.

I pray my humble Service to S'' Robert Southwell witii this accompt, and if you please to
favor mee with a few lines, as occasion, youl farther oblige

S'' Your most ati'ectionate

humble servant

E. Anduos.
Read in Council 4"" of Dec*"' 1678.

Governor Andro,s to Mr. Blathtvayt.

[ New- York Entries, I. 43, 44. ]

New York y' 12'" of Oct^ 1678.
S'

Tliis is by y' return of the Ship that brought mee here, to give you an accompt of my arrival
after a nine weeks passage.

I found the Country quiet, but much allarmed with news of a French war, and since have
had several rumors of Indian troubles with our> neigiibors, which wee hear still is towards
Virginia and Maryland, but, not having it lately from those in authority, hope 'tis not of any
import. But our neighbors of Connecticut have writ to mee of it, copies of whose letters and
answer to them I send you at large, siuL^e wliicli I have not heard from them, soe may judge of
our state, and such their actions have made our Indians lye, if not insolent, which they never
were afore, nor did I ever make treaty with, but dealt witli them as being imder o* part of the
Government which I told our neighbors, and many more arguments against their going to treat,
assuring them there soe long as the Indians would hearken to this Goverm' they should not
hurt them (but in vaine) And now all my hope is Regulations and Orders from the King, as

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 273

the ouly means to keep us well in peace and preserve or defend us if warrs. In tiie mean
time I shall not bee wanting to any my neighbors, as occasion, to my power, if they will not
admit it, and praying my humble service to S"' Robert Southwell remaine

S'' Your most affectionate

humble servant

E. Andros.
Read in Council 4"' of Dec"'" 1C7S.

Commis'^ioners of the United Colonies to Governor Andro-s.

[ Neiv-York Papers, I. l.W. ]

Hartford Sep. y^ G"- 1()79.
Hon()^ll)!e S"'

The meeting of the Comission" of his Maj''" united Colonies at Hartford upon y'^ date of
these presents giues good opertunity to congratulate yo'" safe returne into these parts, Wiiere
wee arejoyntly concerned in one comon Interest of his Maj''"' and the English Nation, and hope
yo' Hono" ready complyance in and advance of those meanes that may conduce thereto, In
speciall to a Genn''all re-settlement of y^ Country, affter so much trouble and mischeife lately
suffered by y^ barbarous Indian, w'^'' Allmighty God hath in a great measure allready indulged to
us no new ti'ouble in view seeming to threaten miless by meanes of misund^standing betweene
the Macjuas and o'' ffVeind Indians the Maquas hauing lately made a Depredation nere o"" English
houses killing and carrying captiue Twenty ffour, since w'^'' wee haue so faiT consenied o'"selues
as by Messenger to solicite their returne to us, and to informe their mistake if it may so
charitably be construed ; obtaining yet no more then that they should bee Returned if againe
sent ffbr, and in presence ofyo'' Hono'' upon whom they seem (if not wronged by y'= Interpreters)
to haue a great dependence the Indians under y^ Gov''ment of these Colonies do greatly
complaine of their constant anoyance and mischeifes done by them so that wee Hear if y*
ff"uture quarrell be not p''vented it will quickly break out into a flame w"*" may endang'' their
English Neighbours and who can ftbresee y* sad consequences there of wheth'' yo"' Hono"' will
haue the like resentment of y' matf as wee haue or shall Judge it meet to concerne yo'' selfe so
far as to exert yo"" pow'' and Interest ftbr y" returne of those captiues and quieting those
disturbances of Man Kind wee know not but do judge it o' duty w'''' wee owe to his Maj'"^ and
y'' peace of his subjects in these united Colonies, to giue you a true and timely Information
thereof, those troubles hind''ing the further Planting and Settlement of o"' countrymen in these
parts w"^"" yo'' selfe and wee are Laboring to procure yo'' sence herein and answ"' while wee are
setling will greatly oblige,

Hono''able Sir, Yo'' Humble Servants

y* Comission''^ of the united Colonies.

Will. Leete
Joseph Daxley'

ThO : HiNKLEY

Jam. Cudworth
Jn" Allen.
' " DiDLEv. " — Ed.
Vol. III. 35

274 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Governor Andros' liephj to tlw Commissioners.

[ New-York Papers, I. 15S. ]

Hono''able S'''

Since my arriuall I write to y^ Gov''nor and gaue him an accompt of my returne, & yo" of
the 6"" Instant I Receiiied last night ffor vv'^'' I giue you many thanks and shall bee still ready to
do my Duty as I ought and especially to my neighbours, and as to that particuler late act of y°
Maquas you meucon and you hauing sent a messing'' and had answer ffrom s"* Maquas you are
best able to judge thereof and what is proper to be done thereupon w"*" if you shall think
necessary to signifie or any of your desire I shall not be wanting on my part as occasion to
p''veut any flame W"" may Endang^ any of his Maj"''* subjects as you seeme to suggest may
ensue or Trouble or hinderance to y^ Planting and Settlement of o'' Countrymen in these
parts, and remaine

Hono''able S"

New Yorke 7'"''" v' 10*" 7S. . Yo'' Humble Seruant

Coimnissioners of the United Colonies to Governor Andros.

[New-Tork Papers, I. 158.]

Hartford Sept. li"- 167S.
Hono'''''= Sir

Yo' Letf directed to y* Govern'' of this Colony not being yet come to hand y'' contents are
unknowne & so crave yo'' Excuss that you haue no ansvv'' thereof.

These are to signily o'' thankfull acceptance of yor fi'reiudly Lines in answer to yo' ftbrnie''
Letf y^ e"" of tills Instant and tliat nothing miglit bee wanting on o' parts wee doe hereby
ffarther request of yo' Hono' speedely to improue yo' Literest & pow" ffor the returne of those
poor Captiues yet remaining aliue amonge y° Mowhawks and ffor y* security of o' ll'reindly Indians
C Bowells Can not but yearne towards them. Considering how ffreindly and ffaithfuUy they
liaue manifested them selues to be to the Englisli in o' late Troubles and many of them aie
amongst the little number on whom tlie blessed god has had Compassion in sending to them his
Euerlasting Gospell and wee liope not w"'out successe to some of theire poore souls, wee haue
not yet been informed of any Just [g] rounds that y^ Maquas pretend ffor their daily Excursions
and Dei)redations made upon them yo' ffreindly aspect and paines herein and tlbr y^ settling a
generall peace amongst y= Indians wee Judge will bee acceptable to god, to His iMa"*^ and shall
bee to us, who are, Hon'"''' Sir,

Yo' humble Servants y" Coniission''^

of y" united Colonies

Will. Leete
Tho. Danforth
Joseph Dueley'
Tho Hinkley
Jam. Cudworth
To y'' Gov'ner of New Yorke. Jn" Allyn.

' " Dldi.ey. " — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 275

Governor Leet to Governor Andros.

[ New-York Papers, I. 15s. ]

Hartford Sep' y" IS"- 1G78.
Hou"''^ S'"

Yo" of Aug"' S"" 167S came not to hand here untill y^ date aboue and after the sealing the

Cora" returns now sent in answ' to yo'' last, where lay the fault is uncertaine howeuer it hath

obstructed y= answ'' w*^"" in civility would haue beene sooner giuen but now I do intreat your

canded acceptance of my thanks rendered for yo"' louing and neighbourly notice of one so

luiworthy as allso ftbr that gratefull news of a Generall peace throughout Urope w"" the other

intelligence hopeing and desiring such peace in America may be by yo"' and us euer indeauored

w"" the Barbarians who are soe apt to reveng and quarrell and thereby may Embroyle their

English neighbours and make trouble in the Country none knows wherew"" to prevent it is

desired that y'' Maquaes and those w"" them may by yo'' Hon"' be restrained from o'' parts unless

by from y"" selfe and all o" likewise ifrom those parts but by Ord"' ffrom us to prevent any

such Hostill motions as haue of late fallen on & w""" is all at present ffrom k.'

Will. Leete
To ■)•' Govern'' of N. Yorke.

Governor Andros^ Reply to the Commissioners.

t New- York Papers, I. 153. ]

N. Yorke 7'""' 25. 1678.
Hono""' S'''

I receiued j^o''" of y= 14"' Instant Last night and in Answ' to what is therein desired haue
advised thereupon and finde you hauing made a particular treaty w"" y^ Maquas and affwards
upon rong receiued as you mention sent to demand satisfaction vv"'out my knowledge or notice
to any here in my absence ; it is not advisable for me to deale with s** Maquas on yo'' accompts
unless you send some by you sufficiently authorised flbr that purpose, it being nesessary yo''
assertine yo'' s"* treaty and message w"" them, w'^'' if you shall think fitt to doe this way I shall
not only afford them all Liberty through y^ Gov'"ment but Contribute what shall be ffurth' prop"'
on my part, as occasion when it will bee requisit that some likewise come from Unkus & the
oth' yo'' freind Indians and if it bee necessary for the Publique good of these Colonies further to
aduise on the Matf 1 am willing and ready my selfe to giue a meeting at N. Haven or any other
flitting place betweene this & that Desiring to do my duty to y* utmost in Euery good respect
j'ou mention & remaine, Hon'''^ Sirs,

Yo"' most Humble Servant.

E. A. S.
To y^ Comission''' of y*
United Collonyes Joyntly

276 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Governor Andros to Governor Leet.

[ Xcw-Tork Papers, I. 158. ]

N. Yorke 1^" 28. 1G7S.
Hono'''^ S'

I receiued yo'' Perticuler Letf of Date y*" IS"' Instant and one jointly w"" the Commission" of
tlie Collonyes Last night for w"^"" I giue you thankes and shall be ready to contribute what may
be ftbr the interest and Safty of yo'' parts but y"'selues hauing treated w"" and since upon
occasions sent messengers to Demand Reparations of the Maquas do not find it adviseable for
me to act in s"* Matters w"'out some Emediatly authorized ffrom you w'='' if you think proper I
shall ffavour them fturther as flarre as you can expect to my pow' and that I may not bee
wanting in any thing haue resolued if occasion ffor further [aduise] arise thereupon for y*
publique good of yo'^ parts to meet at New Hauen or any other ffitt place betweene This and
that when I hope I may allso haue the opertunity of seeing yo''selfe and reniaine

To y^ Gouernor of
Conecticutt

Endorsed

Copys from & to Hartford.
Rec'' from S'' E. Andros

24"" Nov. 1678.

Sir John WerJen to Governor Andro'^.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 37. ]

Sir

Your freshest Ires are of the 14"' & 16"' Septembe'r and of y' 12 Octob'' (78) and they are
lately come to my hands ; His R" H" p'used y"" himselfe and I believe intended to have given
me his comands in all particulars therein menconed to have beene sent you by one of y' first
ships bound for your parts ; but still one day hath followed another without affording time for
it, save only in one poynt, and y' too I tiiinke hath beene brought to its conclusion rather by y'
impoi'tunity and unreasonablenesse of Capt. Billopp's father, then through any harshnesse in y=
Duke's disposition towardes him. M"' Billopp (as you will see by y' peticon) hath pretended y'
your usage of his son hath beene very hard ; and y' complaint engaged y' Duke to see those
parts of yo' letters wherein you give an ace' of his greate and long neglect of his duty, and
thereupon y'^ Duke not doubting yo"' ability or integrity to judge of y' in your inferior Offic%
hath thought fitt not only to approve yo'' suspension of his employm', but hath ordered it to be
given to Capt. .Salisbury ; as you will p''ceive by y= enclosed comission to him. I have
neverthelesse assured M'' Billopp y' if he or his son have any just cause of complaint ag"' you,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : III. 277

relateing any ways to him properly or to coninioii justice, y' His 11" H" will always be ready to
heare him, and will expect yo' justificacon to any particular charge of y' nature. Dated at S'
James's y*" lO"" of INIarch lG7f.

To Sir Edmund Andros Kn' &■=

Governor Andros to Mr. Blatliwaijt.

[New-York Papers, 1. 184.]

N. Yorck y"^ ^o'" of March 1G79.
Sir

I haue but now receau'd yo" of y*" '2^ of August, by M'' Doruell, y"" ve.sell nott yett come up,
& this ship y^ Beauer cleared, ready to saile w"^ oportunity I cannott obniitt, to giue y" my
thancks for y"" said letter, and iiiuour of y^ inclosed, hope y" haue receau'd mine sent in oc''" by
y^ ship Blosom since w""" no alteration, butt all continues in the same good condition in this
place & Gouernm', & hope haue been a meanes to stop & preuent (if seconded in time) futere
indian mischiefs in Virginia & marilond hauing upon first notice from Coll. jefreys of some
mischeifs by unknown indians toke all y° care I could to be informed, & in no''" y* leter had,
hauing notice of some Xtians brought from y* Southwords by indians aboue 400 miles n west
from hence, I did presently order, sending e.xpresse Xtians (if to be had for so bitter and distant
ill journey att such a season) or Indions w*^"" should demand my Xtian captiues to be brought to
me, & if posible stop their prosecuting or going out againe upon y* like designe, w"^"" they were
to signifie from me to all other indions by themselves or indion messengers as they could above
600 miles from hence two Xtians speaking good Indian one being y^ usuall interpreter undertook
itt, in their wey y^ mohaukes readilj^ promised nott to be concerned & sent a messenger of their
owne to their neighboui's whom they call children & are y* oneides deemed y'' first nation of
sineques, whom notwithstanding were very stuborn & insolent for 3 dayes aprehending by a
false information some of theirs were detained att Albany but afterwards y^ next nation beyond
them called onondagues then drowen in submiting very much, by delivering & sending
me a scalp brought as they say against their will y' the s'' oneides did so farr as of 2
woemen and 4 children they had to free 1 wooman & 2 children but kept y* other & 2 children
'till they should heare of some of theirs they said they had lost in Virginia of w'='" complaine
much, as being first & without cause ^Uen upon & killed, or taken but promised howeuer they
would send out no more partys.

The Xtians being midle of winter (and very hard & sharp weather) could gett no iurther,
but sent indions forwords to the other nations with small strings of wonipon (being in lieu of
letters), from all w"='' had good satisfactory answers, & return Vl the begining of January, but
Xtian captiues could not come or be brought so sooue & hauing notice of their hauing deteined
halfe, gaue order to insist upon my former demand, w"'' att their coming to Albany with much
adoe they promised & I hope are there by this time.

Att y same time I sent to indians I sent expresses to Virginia & mariland with a perticular
accompt desiring their result as soon as might be, for w'^'' they both thank me & desire my

278 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

continued indeauours, but vefvv me I'or their resolues y'" one after an assembly to be held in
April! or May, y^ other of a Counsell to be called & answer from their neighbours, & our
Neio-hbours Eastward rather more mn-esolued, therefore may thanck God y'' indians haue nott
been refractory wee being y' least colony & so dispersed or disjointed, I heare from y" Eastward,
w^"" since setling at Pemaquid with a Garrison is very quiett, that y^ masachusets talke hye of
their pretended purchase from M'' George by w'^ they haue already scared several! of the
cheefest men of these parts into a Compliance with them, & giue out they wil! have also some
islonds belongin to and anext to this Governm' w''* amuses y^ poor people that way thatt nott

& nott to be helped or remedied but by a determination of all diferences among all y'
colonyes 'til! when no generall friendship nor safety, but y*" contrary, & if some good Comis-
sioners from home miglit easily setle all & contreys as easily l)eare y^ charge, & the King haue
a full & particular acompt but I have exceeded the bounds of a letter & of what y'' selfe already
knows better for all y' latter part for W^'' praying y' pardon & if you please my humble service
to S'' Robert Southwell, I remaine, S'' Y" affectionate &

most humble Seriiant

E. AXDKOSS.

An Indian Sachem reports that y' frensh of Canada intend this year to send a Garrison or
setlem' into one of their towns where tliese Xtian captiues were a this side y* lake w'^'' being of
import ile endeauor to preuent but if Efected will not only endanger all y^ Indian trade, but
expose all y^ King's plantations upon this continent when they please they pretending no bounds
that way.

Endorsed

25 March 1679.
Wi!!"' Blathwayt Esq"'
From S' Edm. Andros.
Read at y* Committee the V
part concerning the l

Province of Maine, the j
19'" June 1679. J

The lung's AUoicunee to ^ew- Y&i'k

[ New- York Tiipcrs, I. ICC. ]

Establishm' of N(!w Yorke.

These are to Certify That His Maj"" allowance towards the maintenance of y' Garrison &
Forts of New Yorke in America is One Thousand Pounds ^' ann, The charge aboue this
allowance is paid by His R" H"" the Duke of Yorke.

Job. Holder And''

19" Junii 1679.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 2T9

iJulce of YorTi-s Commission, to John Lewen.

[ Xew-York Entries, CLI. 28. ]

To Jolin Lewen, Gent : &■=

Know Yee that I reposeing gi'eat trust, & confidence in your Integrity and ability, have
appointed and by these presents doe authorize and appoint you to be my Agent and Servant in
New Yorke and Albany and other my lands and territoryes in America, and therefore you are
w"" y= first opportunity of shipping bound for those parts, to take your passage to New Yorke,
and uppon your arrivall there yow are by all good and reasonable wayes and meanes to apply
your selfe to inquire and find out all y" estate, rents, revenues, proffitts, and p'quisites, W^"" in any
sort doe of right belong and appeartaine to me and arise in any of those places, and to examine
all bookes papers records and other matters relateing thereunto, and to y' end I doe hereby
authorize and empower you to demand aske and receive of and from all and every of my
Officers and servants or any others employed in any places of trust belonging unto mee, all bookes,
papers, writeings, recordes, registers, acc'% and all other things w*^*" may tend to y^ discovery or
manifesting thereof. And I doe hereby require and coniand all my said officers and others
imployed in any such places and trusts, to produce and shew unto you and to suffer you to have
y^ free and full use of them soe often and soe long as you shall thinke fitt and have occasion for
y* same. And I doe further authorise empower and require you in a more especiall manner to
inquire and find out whether y* free trade of any of y" inhabitants of those places or any
merchants tradeing thither now is or hath beene lately obstructed or hindered, and how and by
what meanes y= same hath beene so obstructed or hindred, and how such obstructions may be
removed, and how and by what methods y^ trade and traders in those places may be encouraged
and increased. It being my veall intehcon and desire to encourage and advance y^ ease benefitt
and advantage of trade and y^ Merch" and inhabitants there. And for y^ better executeing of
the trust w"^"" I have reposed in you, I doe require you to observe and follow such direccons and
instruccons as you shall herewith receive, niven under my hand and scale at Windsor y*
i^i'" of May 1680.

T)i.strHct.ion-s for John Lewen.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 2S. ]

Instruccons and direccons for John Lewen Gen' for the better executeing of y'
trust I have reposed in him touching my affaires in New Yorke, Albany, and
Long Island and other my territoryes and Countryes in America.

You are to understand that y= reasons nioveing me to send you over to New Yorke &'' are
cheifly y' I might by your inquiry and diligence be fully and certainely informed and adviced of
y« true state and condicon of all those places in relacon to y' trade thereof, and of all y' parts &
branches of y^ Revenue and other proffitts aswell certaine as accidentall or casuall W^"" doe
properly and justly belong unto me, as I am y' proprietor of y' said places or otherwise. And

280 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

alsoe y' I may have a true full and just iiifarmacOn and knowledge of y' reall constant and
neccessary charge and expence w''' must be laid out and issued for the maintenance & support
of y* goveniem' of those places. In all w'^'' particulars I doe expect to receive from you from
time to time full plaine certaine and reall ace" And for yo'' better proceeding therein you are to
observe the direccons and instruccons following : —

First imediately upon yo'' arrivall at New Yorke you are to apply your selfe to Sir Edm"*
Andros y'^ present Govern'' there, and to deliver unto him such lett'' and ord''' as you shall for
y' purpose receive for him from me, and then you shall demand of him y' he send to such
person and persons in whose keeping all or any of y'' bookes and ace'" relateing to y' customes
of goods imported or exported for six j'eares last are now resting, and y' he cause y' same to be
delivered to you without any delay. And in case y*" same bookes or ace" of the said Customes
be in his owne power and keeping, y" you are to demand y'" of him and let him know it is my
pleasure he should deliver y"" to you, or put and place y"' where you may have free and
continuall resort to and inspection and perusall of y'".

-. You are likewise to demand and procure from iiim or any other person who hath y'" in his
or their keeping, all bookes, entryes, and Ace" of all lands w'*" have beene granted to any
planter by the present or any other governour.

3. You are out of those bookes entryes or ace" and by all other certaine wayes or meanes
w'^'' you shall there find out, carefully and exactly to draw out a true and perfect ace' of all y'
land y' is granted to y*' planters, soe as to ascertaine y' wliole number of acres, and y^ totall of
all Quitt rents and other rents, proffitts. Services and advantages due and payable to me or any
other, by reason of such grants or otherwise.

4. You are also to informe your selfe w"' all dilligence and exactnesse w' rent or tax every
house at New Yorke, Esopus, Albany, Long Island, and all other my territoryes doth or ought
to pay by y' yeare, and how y' s"* rent or tax becomes due or was or is imposed, and how
much y* same doth yearely amount unto in y* said severall places, & who hath had and received
the same for y' space of six yeares last past, and for w' use y* same is paid whether for y*
benefit of me or for defraying y' charges in y'' country relateing to y' governement thereof;
and if you find any bookes or entryes are kept of these rents and of y' payments thereof, you
are to demand y^ same of y' persons in whose custody they are, and .draw out an ace' of y*
totall of y" said rec" & to whom the same have beene p'' and for w' use.

5. You shall also make carefull and dilligent search and inquiry touching the value or yearly
protfitt y' hath beene made of y'' severall weyhouses in New Yorke, Albany, Long Island i'or
six yeares past, and also how y*" prollitt doth arise ; and you are to informe your selfe of y"
best way of manageing thereof for my advantage, whether by appointing a Collector to receive
y° duty or by letting it to farme.

G. You are in like manner to informe your sc'lfe of y' yearely \alue of the Tap licence in all
y* places aforesaid, and how y» same doth arise and grow due, and take y"^ most exact ace' you
can how much it doth amount unto in each place, and how it is collected or gathered, and w'
hath beene niade thereof yearly for six yeares past and who lialli rec'' y' same and whether it
be most proffitable ibr me to appoint Collectors to receive it, or to let out to farme.

7. 1 being informed y' there is a different method used in Long Island for raiseing of moneys
for my use, from w' is settled in New Yorke, and Albany, viz' by a yearly tax upon all manner
of goods and stocke aswell liveing as dead : you are therefore particularly carefully and

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 281

punctually to iuforme your selfe how y'' said money is raised and w' hath beene made thereof
every yeare for six yeares last past, and whether y= same hath beene collected by my Offic" or
let to farme. And you are to informe your selfe of the true value thereof, and how it may be
best improved for my advantage.

S. You are likewise to inquire w' taxes, charges, or impositions have beene paid sett or
granted in any of y^ s"* places for six yeares last past and how, by w", and for w' use, were
y* same and every of y™ laid sett or granted, who hath reC' y= same, and w' part there is or
ought to be made good or paid to my use. And in particular you are to inquire whether there
is not a yearly tax or paym' by all y^ Inhabitants, of Poll money, and how much is paid by y"
head and to w" the same is payable and who hath had and rec"' y* same for six yeares last past,
and how much y* last menconed Poll money, and all y° said other taxes charges & impositions
did severally amount unto and w' p''ticular 3'eares they were respectively granted or levyed.

9. You shall likewise make inquiry of w' fines, amerciam'% or other forfeitures or seizures for
non paym* of customes or any other duty have beene sett or imposed seized or taken for six yeares
last past in any of y* Courts there, w'^'' doe belong to mee, uppon any offence of forfeiture
whatsoever, and who hath had and reC' y' same and how much they do amount luito. And in
y* and all other cases where you find any records, bookes, or ace" have beene kept, relateing to
any the matters wherein you are instructed, you are to demand y* sight view, perusall, and
use of all such records bookes ace'* and entrj'es as have beene kept thereof; and the p''son and
p''sons in whose custody they respectively are kept are hereby required to deliver y'' same to
you accordingly.

10. And forasmuch as y" greatest part of my revenue in those parts doth arise by the Customes
of goods and merchandizes imported and exported into and out of those parts, and from New
Yorke to Albany, y' cleare value whereof I desire to be fully informed of and ascertained : You
are therefore most strictly and w' all prudence care and circumspection to endeavour to find out
detect and discover all y^ frauds and cunning practices w"^"" have beene used by y* Merch'
importer or exporter, or by any my offic'* or ministers of the Custome or elswhere, or by any
other person or persons. And you are to informe your selfe by the best ways and meanes you
can how y' same may be avoyded and prevented for y' future, and in order to make a discovery
of w' frauds have beene used of y' nature, you shall examine by the Custome house bookes
(w'^'' you are ordered to take into your custody as is above in y^ first article directed) w' ships
have been entred inward or outward for six yeares last past, and w' goods or merchandizes are
therein entered to have paid custome and how much custome was paid, and to whome such
goods as were imported were consigned; and you are to examine how many beaver and other
skins, or any other sort of merchandize are entered to be transported in every ship. And y"
you must endeavour by the most exact inquiry you can make, either from y* persons who rec"*
or delivered y*' s** goods or any other ways according to your discrecon, whether really any
more goods were consigned & delivered to or exported by any such person more y° are so
entred, or whether any of y" p'' more Custome y° is brought to ace' in y* said bookes, or
whether any other person did receive or export any goods w'^'' are not there entred, and if you
find any error or fraud therein, you are to find out who was in fault, and who had any benefitt
thereby, and whether y'^ same happened by the contrivance or combination of any of y^ offic" of
y' Customes, or any other officer and by whose in particular and w' and how much I was
danmifyed thereby.

Vol. III. 30

282 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

11. You are also to inquire w' y' Custome is for all manner of goods exported or imported
and particularly for tobacco and rum and all other liquors, and also \v' quantity of tobacco rum
and other liquors are yearely comibus annis exported, from and to w' places are y* same
consigned and sent, and whether soe many as were really sent in y^ six yeares last past were
entered in y* Custome house bookes, or how many were omitted and who made y*" benefitt by
such omission or by whose neglect or contrivance were y" Same omitted to be entred.

12. You shall also inquire w* number of Whales have beene killed nere y' place within six
yeares last past, and w' quantityes of whale bone and oyle have beene made or brought in there,
and how much my share hath amounted to iny' tyme, and whether y' same hath beene answered
or brought to my ace' by y' Governour or who hath taken y" benefitt and proffitt thereof. And
you are also to informe your selfe how many whales are taken and brought in there comibus
annis, and w' part or share thereof belongs to me, and how much my share may be w-orth
comibus annis.

13. You must likewise inquire w' y' value of y* goods exported from England to New Yorke
doe yearly auiouut mito, and also how many ships doe yearly come thither from England,
Holland or any part of the Low Countreys and from any other parts or places ; and of what
value their cargoes are or have beene for these last six yeares. And j'ou must also informe yo''
selfe of y' value of all goods w'''' goe yearely up from New Yorke to Albany, Esopus, or any
other place, and w' duty such goods doe pay over and besides y^ Customes at New Yorke, and
whether y' same or how much thereof have beene bi-ought to ace' these last [six] j'eares, and
by whose default it was y' y" same was not accounted for, and who made y" benefitt and profliitt
thereof, and how such deceipts may be for y" future avoyded and prevented.

14. Besides the direccons and instruccons above menconed w'''' conceme my proflitt, 3'ou are
likewise to inquire and find out, w' y'= certaine charge and expence of y' governem' hath really
beene for y* last six yeares, and whether y^ same may be reduced and brought lower, and by
w' way and meanes, and whether over and above y' Customes and dutyes and other paym'^ above
menconed, the countrey doth not allow other aids and assistance towards y* defraying of y"
charges w'^^ are brought to y*' ace' ; y" particulars whereof you shall have herewith delivered
unto you, to y* end you may give a plaine and direct answer thereunto w" you shall have
informed yo"" selfe fully therein.

15. You shall also use your utmost endeavours and skill, both by your owne strict observacon
and advice w"" y^ most knowing and disci'eet inhabitants and traders into those parts, truly and
without partiallity to informe your selfe whethere there hath beene any hindrance or discourage-
ment given by any person or p''sons, either p'"sons being p''mitted to trade there contrary to y^
Act of Navigacon or by reason of any law or constitucon of y' place to y* trade of y^" places ;
and you are to sett downe y* particulars thereof, and by whom and when done, or by w' law
or constitucon occasioned, and w' prejudice or damage hath beene sustained by reason thereof,
and w' shippes or p'sons have for six yeares past traded or beene p'mitted to trade in any of
those parts, contrary to y" s** Act of Navigacon, and of w' value such goods soe traded have
beene ; and how y^ same may be obviated and prevented for y' future, and also w' are y*" best
meanes and wayes to be used and taken for incouragem' of trade there ; — And in all these
particulars you are to sett downe y"" p''ticulars of all such obstruccons of trade and y'' remedyes
thereof w"" your reasons for w' you shall advise to be done for remedy thereof. Given und"" my
hand at Windsor the 24"' day of May IGSO.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 283

Duke of YorTc to Governor Andro-s.

[New-York Entries, CLI. SI.]

Sir Edmund Andros

Haveing lately had some proposicons tendered me about farmeing my revenue in New Yorke ;
they have given me occasion to make some farther enquiries into that and some other particulars
touching your governem' there. And in order to be well informed, as to y* first (my revenue) I
have now sent over M"" Lewen w"' powers and instruccons to make as dilligent enquirys as he
can into all those things y' any wayes relate thereunto ; and in his see doeing, I expect you
should give and cause to be given to him all y^ assistance and furtherance you can. As to y'
second, (w' relates to your governem') I thinke it necessary y' you repaire hither by the first
convenience (after rec' hereof and y^ arrivall of M' Lewen) y" I may have y* better opportunity
to be informed in all those particulars from your selfe, and y' you may also have y^ satisfaccon
to obviate such matters, as, if unanswered might leave some blemish upon you, how little soever
you may (in truth) have deserved anj'.

At 3'our comeing away (w'^'' I expect w"" y* first,) you may comit y' care of your governem' to
your Lieuteu' Brockholes and give such other instruccons and direccons for y'' safety of y* whole
as you did y* last time of your comeing hither, or as the p''sent circumstances in your parts may
require : and soe wishing you a good voyadge, I remaine

Yo' loveing Freind

James.

Windsor May y^ 24*'' 16S0

To S'' Edmund Andros Kn' &'.

Sir Jolin Werden to Governor Andros.

[ New-Tork Entries, CLI. 32. ]

Windsor 24"' May IGSO.
Sir

I have reC* yo" of y* 10"" and 15"" February last but shall not need to answer y" now very
particularly, because it being y* Duke's pleasure to have you repaire hither assoone as you can, I
hope y" to have better opportunitys for those and other matters. But for y* present I may tell
you, y' the Duke approves of y= severall Offic"'* you propose to him, upon y* death of Lieut:
Salisbury and you may (at least till further ord'") employ each of y™ accordingly.

You may p'"ceive both by y' Dukes letter and M'' Lewen's comission y' the Cheife thing we
enquire after is y*" chardge and revenue of your governem' of w"'' we have met w"" calculacons
soe vastly difi'ering from your ace'* y' as on y* one side we have not yet sufficient evidence to
believe y" certaine, soe on y' other we cannot but be sollicitous to have a strict enquiry made
into y' businesse by a p'son wholely unconcerned (such as y^ Duke takes j\P Lewen to be)
though it were but to justify you and y^ rest of y' officers und'' you ; w"^"" is (indeed) w' I expect
from y scrutiny, rather y" to find either the Duke or you soe grossly abused in y* yearly ace".

284 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

As to y^ rest, I meane w' relates to your behaviour in your governem', whether ariseing from
complaints of some private men, or anger of y' Quakers, or Capt° Billop or from suggestions of
yo' favoring Dutchmen before English in trade, or makeing by Laws hurtfull to y* English in
generall, or detayneing ships undidy for private reasons, or admitting Dutch ships imediately to
trade w"" you, or tradeing yourselfe in y' names of others ; I verily believe it is best for you to
be here aswell that you may vindicate your selfe from these chardges, as once for all to begett
among us here, a riglit understanding of tiiese and such other points as relate to your governem' ;
of w^i" 1, for my part, must acknowledge to have but loose cind scattered notions. I need not
inlarge further at y^ time, but hopeing you will 'ere long be w"" us, I remaine.

Sir, Yours &'

J. W.

To Sir Edm<» Andros &^

Sii- Jolin Werden to Governor Andros.

[ New-Tork Entries, CLI. S'2. ]

Sir

Though the Comission of IVI"' Lewen and y= Dukes letter to you doe imply that you should be
assisting to him in all things y' he shall desire (and cause others und'' yo' comand to be soe too)
in ord"" to his full execution of y" instruccons he hath received ; yet in regard it is not expressed
y' he shall examine people upon oath, neither hath he powers legally to tend' any oath to such
as he shall examine ; Therefore I am comanded to desire you to enable him either by liimselfe
or such other Civill Magistrate as shall be upon y* place respectively, whei'e he shall desire to
take such examinations, to tend"' an oath to any person or persons, soe to be examined, y' there
may be noe deflect either in forme or law as to y"" examinacons soe to be taken by him.
S' James's 1 July (SO)

To S' Edm" Andros Kn' &^

Memorandum as to Mr. Billings Claim.

INi'W-Tork liiitrles, CLI. 8'2.]

August y^ G"' (SO)
Memoran-d"' Mr Billiug for himselfc and others haveing long Insisted on their Right derived
from y« Dukes grauut to Lord Berkley and S'' George Carteret (as Proprietors of West New Jersey
in America) to be exempt from paying any Custonies or other dutyes, or being any ways und"'
y^ jurisdiccon of New Yorke, but alleadging y" said West Now Jersey to be wholly independant
therefrom ; after many heareings by the appointem' of his R" High" who was pleased to referr
y whole matter to y« decision of Sir William Jones &". At the last Sir William Jones gave
Ws opinion und'' his owne hand as foUoweth : —

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 285

Sir IV'"' Jones's opinion uhout West New Jersey.

28 July 16S0.
I doe hereby humbly certify tliat haveing heard w' hath beene insisted upon for his Roy"
Highnesse to make good y' legallity of y* demand of Five p'' cent from y' inhabitants of New
Jersey ; I am not satisfyed (by anything that I have yet heard) that y^ Duke can legally demand
that or any other duty from y'' inhabitants of those lands. And y' w"^'" makes y* case the stronger
against his R" H"' is, that these inhabitants clayme und' a graunt from his Roy" Highnesse to
y'' Lord Berkley and Sir George Carteret in W^"" graunt there is noe reservacon of any proffitt
or soe much as of jurisdiccon.

W. Jones.

In complyance to W^"" opinion His Roy" Highnesse y' day G aug*' (SO) at Windsor did comand
vSir John Werden to bring him a Deed of Confirmacon (or Release) tendered by M'' Billing, tlie
more firmely to convey the said West New Jersey to him and y* rest of the Proprietors, and
plainely to extinguish y* Demand of any Customes or other dutyes from y™ (save y^ rent
reserved as at y* first) And his R" H'" though his Councell at Law (Sir John Churchill and Sir
George Jeffreys being both absent) had neither drawne nor signed it, was pleased to execute y*
same accordingly ; by reason y' M'' Billing' urged y' necessity of it now, to have y^ benefitt of
the ships present voyadge, some being now ready to sayle into those parts of West New Jersey
above menconed.

Warrant for Sir John Cli urcli ill to prepare a Deed of Release for East Jersey.

[ Xew-Tork Entries, CLI. 33. ] '

These are to direct and require you to prepare for my signature a Deed or fitting Instrum'
(agreable to y' I have already executed unto Edward Billing and others) whereby I may
release and confinne unto Sir George Carteret y^ heire of Sir George Carterett (lately deceased)
liis moyty of New Jersey (called East New Jersey) in America. For w'*" y« shalbe yo"" Warr'
Provided it be entred w' my Auditor Gen" w"'in two months of its date. Given und'' my hand
at Windsor y" G"" day of September (SO.)

To Sir John Chmxhill Kn' my Atturney Gen"
or to S"' George Jeffreys Kn' my Sollicf Gen"

' Edwakd BtlldsGE, of the city of Westminster, Middlesex, gentleman, purchased West Jersey in 1R75, from Lord Beekelt,
■which was confirmed to him as aboTe, in 1680. Having become one of tlie twenty-four Proprietors to •whom the Duke of
York coDYeyed the Proyince, in 1683, lie is supposed to have visited New Jersey in that year Eventually, however, he
became embarrassed through commercial losses, and nine-tenths of his interest in We.'^t Jersey, passed, for the benefit of bia
creditors, into the hands of trustees. Willum Penn, being one of these, became, whilst arranging Bvllixoe's affair.", so well
acquainted with the condition of the country, that he was thus encouraged, it is said, to procure Pennsylvania for himself.
Mr. Byllinge died in 1687. Whitehead's East Jersey mtder the Proprietors. — Ed.

286 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Sir John Werden to Governor' Andro-s.

[ Kew-Tork Entries, CLI. 34. ]

S' James's G Nov'' (80)
Sir

I presume you will have heard already y' his R" H' in ohedience to his Ma" comands is gone
againe into Scotland, but y' before he went he was pleased (upon such advice as he relyed on) to
coufirme and release to the Proprief^ of both nioytys of New Jersey, all theire and his rigiit to
any thing (besides y'^ rent reserved) w'^'' heeretofore may have beene doubtfull, whether as to
governem' or publique dutyes in or from y* places within their graunts. And though I believe
y* Deeds y" selves (respectively) w° produced to you, will enough satisfy you in this matf yet I
thinke it convenient herein to give you notice of y" to p''vent as much as in me lyes, any doubt
of y' validity thereof, or there haveing beene surreptitiously obteyned or any oth' inconvenience
y' may happen either to you, or y" Propriet" for want of such intimacon. I am &°

To S-- Edm'' Andros Kn' Sc'

Sir John Werden to Governor Andros}

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 35. ]

Edinburgh l^"- May (81)
Sir

The last post (but one) brought me yours of y'' 29"" Aprill and 3'' May, both w"^"" I have read
to y^ Duke, who seemes to wond'' at M"' Griffiths offering to sue you, but doth imagine 'tis
about stopping of a ship of his w'^'' it seemes was one article of his complaints ag" you. INP
Wolley's delay is more disingenious and I find y" Duke expects, if he have any thing to say he
should forthw"" give it in writeing to M"" Porter.

The Duke takes notice of y* qualifications you give to y° paper of the Estimate of the
Revenue at New Yorke, w'"" never was understood to intend y' future, but only w' is past.

I have already written to you touching the grants of New Jersey from y* Duke and M"" Pen's
pattent from y^ King (of Pensilvania) the Boundaryes of w'"' towardes New Castle y' Duke assents
to, and it will he convenient that you give notice of all to yo"' officers in New Yorke and New
Castle. But without doubt all settlements already made in those parts ought to hold good,
untill new laws be made by consent of their Assemblyes (w'^'' I think M' Pen hath autliority
for ;) but I presume y' Lords Com" for Trade hath taken care to preserve y* rights of men in
possession, or else it is a point ougiit yet to be thought of by y'"; for the Dukes authority there
will not be sufficient to coutroule M"" Pen's pattent. As for y" Islands in Delaware river, it is
best to observe well th(> grants, as I take M"' IVn's is bounded by the slioars of Delaware river
on y' East, l)y \\ '''' Islands seeme e.xcluded out of his patent, if they lye out in y' ojjcn river, and

' Sir E. Anduos loft New-York on the 7th, and suikid from Saudy Hook on i\u< lltli Janiiai-y, 1081. Commissions, dr.,
1680- 1682. p. 31. Thia letter, therefore, wtts addressed to him in England. — Eo.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 287

may still belong to New Castle, and soe alsoe for those y' the Quakers of New Jersey may
pretend to ; but in both these cases the graunts alone must determine y* matter, w'"" you may
be there well advised upon, for here they are*not, neither can we judge soe well as our lawyers.
I wish you good health, and remaine Sc"

To Sir Edm"* Audros Kn' &''

Cou?'f of Assizes at Kew-Yorh to the Secretary of State.

[ Xew-Tork Papers, I. 241. ]

Right Hono'''«

His Maj"" Court of Assizes for this Province of New Yorke having by speciall warr- and
order from the Commander and Councill mett together the twenty ninth of June past for the
hearing and Tryall of Capt. W" Dyre one of the Councill, Collecto" of his Roy" Highn' Revenue
and Mayo"' of this Citty of New Yorke who was charged and accused by one Samuel Winder in
the Mayo" Court of this Citty of the 31" of May last past for high Treason, which was by the
Alderman and Court intimated to the Commander and Councill, who thought fitt to committ
him thereupon to be tryed at the Generall Court of Assizes, and on his Peticon for a speedy
Tryall was ordered to be tryed att this speciall Court which was called for that purpose, A grand
Jury being likewise Impanelled and sworne with Twenty one witnesses they received their
charge and withdrew to consider on the Bill, which the ne.xt day they returned Billa Vera and
the said Capt. William Dyre being made acquainted therewith, ffi-yda}^ the first Instant about 2
in the afternoone was appointed for his Tryall, where the Petty Jury was likewise sworne and
severall witnesses, But the said Capt. W™ Dyre questioning the power & authority of this
Court to try him who was Commissionated from his Roy" Highness as they were, and the
Crimes charged ag' him being aggravated to be High Treason, and the p''sent confusion and
discord in the Govemm' here made us presume to send the said Cap' W"" Dyre to y" with all
the Proceedings here against him, that hee may bee farther proceeded ag' as his Maj'"' shall
thinke fitt, to which referr y" for further Informacon and remaine, R' Hono"*

Yo"' Hono" most affectionate

and humble Servants

In behalfe of the said Court of Assizes.
John West. CI.
Endorsed

Copy of a Letter from the Court of Assizes att Yorke
to the Secretary of State. 16S1.

288 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

ProceecUng.s- against Mr. Dyei\ Collector of the Port of New-Yorh.

[ New-Tork Papers, I. 239. ]

Att a Speciall Court of Assizes holden in the Citty of New Yorke by his Maj""
Authority, beginning the 29"" of June and ending the second of July in the
33"^ yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraign Lord Charles the Second by
the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King Defender
of the Faith &^ Annoq D'ni. 16S1

Wednesday Mornixg

The Court being sate, Proclamacon for attendance made, and the Grand Jury sworne They
had their Charge given them.

Then the Witnesses were sworne, to the number of twenty one, and tlie Grand Jury
withdrew, and Thursday in the afternoon they returned and found the Fill or Accusacon ag'
Capt. W"" Dyre w'^'" was the only occasion of this Court. Billa Vera.

Upon which the High Sheriffe was ordered to take Capt. Dyre into liis Custody and bring
him before the Court, where he was acquainted that the Grand Jury had found the Bill,^and
that bee was the King's prisoner.

The seale of the Citty and his Comission for Mayo"" was demanded by the President which
he refused to deliver. Saying bee received them from the Governo'' (after which the Court
adjourned to ffryday the 1'' July att Two in the afternoone, being the time appointed for his
Try all.

On w'^'' day the Court being mett Capt. Dyre was sent for and brought to the Barr by the
High Sheriffe, and Silence being Proclaimed his charge or Accusacon was read, A copy whereof
is hereunto annexed.

To W^'' hee pleaded Not guilty.
' Then the Pannell of the Jury was called over and Proclamacon in usuall forme made for
Informacon, The s"" Capt : Dyre making noe challenge. The Jury were swonie and the charge
or Accusacon againe read by the Gierke, and severall witnesses to the number of Twenty
sworn and examined, But the said Capt. Dyre being to make his Defence desired to know by
what lawe they proceed ag' him, and the authority and Comission by w'''' the Court Sate,
Saying If they proceeded by His Ma"" letters Patents to his Royall Highnesse, hee had the
same authority, and one part could not try the other.
On which the Court withdrew.

And after some Debate It was ordered Nemine Contradicente That Capt. W-" Dyre haveing
questioned the Power and Authority of this Court alleadging hee was Comissionated from his
II" H' as they were, be sent home in the Pincke Hope, George Heathcott Ma. now bound for
London to the Secrary of State to be proceeded ag' as his jMaj''"^ and Councill shall direct.

And Samuell Winder his Accuser pursuant to his Recognizance of Five Thousand Pounds
taken before the Councill is to prosecute him in England accordingly.
On,which the Tryall ceased.

By ord' of the Co'"' of Assizes

John West. CI.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV.

289

The Bill fuund against Cupt. William Dijre.

William Dyre staiideth charged and accused by the name of W'" Dyre late of the Citty of
New Yorke gentl. for that hee the s'' W™ Dyre severall times since the first of May anno IGSO
att the Citty aforesaid as a false Traytour to our Soveraigne Lord the King hath trayterously,
maliciously and advisedly used and exercised Regall Power and Authority over the King's
Subjects for the better support and upholding whereof hee the s'' W" Dyre hath traiterously,
maliciously and advisedly plotted and contrived Innovacons in Governm' and the subversion and
change of the knowm Ancient and Fundamental! Lawes of the Realme of England, by virtue
of which arbitrary and unlawfull power hee the said W" Dyre (together w"" other some false
Traytours imknowne) hath many times since the first of November last past Establisht and
imposed unlawfull Customes and Imposicons on the goods and merchandize of his Maj"" Liege
I'eople tradeing in this Place, by force compelling them to pay the same and hath Imployed
and made use of Sould" to maintaine and defend him in these his ujust and unlawfull practices
contrary to the great charter of Libertyes, Contrary to the Peticon of Right, and contrary to
otliiM- statutes in these cases made and provided and contrar)' to the honour and peace of our
most iSoveraigue Lord the King that now is, his crowne & Dignity.

Samuel Winder.

Exaied

John West. CI. Assis.

Billa Vera.

Robert \'jcau«.

Endorsed

" The Proceedings of the Court of
Assizes ag' mee" —

[ The Customs, wlik-li tin/ Jiuki- of York aibitrarOy continued for three years, (see Ante, p. 246,) expir.il \'\ limitation, in
Kovenibei', 1080. Tlie menhanls of Xew-York, thereupon, refused to pay the duties, and discharged th. ii- c ;iim,i( > without
gi\'ing any attention to custoni-liouse otticers. Tiie legality of tlie customs being thus denied, suits were instituted against
the collector of the port for detaining goods on which the duties had not been paid ; having been cast in these suits, the
above accusation of High Treason was brought against that officer, because lie collected taxes without authority of law, and
he was shipped to England for trial. As his prosecutor did not appear. Col. Dyre was discharged, since the end of the
prosecution was answered. " This spirited measure," says Chalmers, " however irregular it may now appear, had the
greatest effect in laying in ruins that system of despotism which had so long affected the people of New-York. " Political
Annals, 583. See, in this connection, also. Captain Brockhole^ Letters to the Duke's Secretary and to Governor Andres, in
Commissions, Orders, Letters, (be., 1680 to 1682, in the Secretary's Office, Albany, pp. 43, 45, 53, 54. Brockholes received a
commission as Receiver-General in August, 1681, but it was of no avail. "Nothing was paid in by any, and tliough since I
have done what possible to gett the Excise kept up, my Endeavors therein have proved inefjfectnall — the merchants takeing
advantage of Courts who Being Scared Refuse to Justifie and maintaine my Ord'rs * * * Here it was Never worse. A
Governm't wholly over thrown and in the Greatest Confusion and Disord'r Possible Ord'rs from the Duke for General
matterjall things in yo'r Absence are Extreamly wanting, nothing Continuing as they were, nor can be again Settled without
it^" Brockholes to Andros, September 17th, 1681. Ibid., 13. The resistance offered thus early by the merchants of New-
York to Taxation without Representation, led to the introduction, soon after, of a representative form of government into the
Province. — Ed. ]

Vol. III.

37

290 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Sir Jolin Werden to William Penn.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 35. ]

Edinburgh IG July (SI)
Sir

Two or three days agoe y*^ Duke shewed yo'' letf to liim of y"^ 30"' June (if at least June he
meant by 4'°) and gave me his comands to returne you in answer w'' I said to him upon reading
it, viz' First, y' whereas you seeme to complaine y' you had noe answer from me, in reply to
some of yo"' lett'' sent hither, I did then imediatly convince both your freinds here, (particularly
M'' Barkley and M' Keetli) y' I really did for you all y' I beleived necessary for your satisfacon,
and had writt to y"^ Govern'' of Nev? Yorke (S'' Edm"" Andros) to the purposes y' you desired, y'
is, to informe him of yo"' pattent of Pensilvania, and to desire all necessarj' ord'"' from him to
i'acilitate yo'' quiett takeing possession thereof; and v^ both yo'' s'' freiuds appeared satisiyed
w"', and promised me to give you an ace' of all.

As to yo'' fresh proposition to y^ Duke repeated in y*^ last Ire viz' that his R" PP would confei-r
on you y' rest of w' he possessetii in and about Newcastle on Delaware River, nnd'' certaine
condicons and limitacons, such as you thinke hit to otter : I told your freinds y", w' I now
repeate to you, y* the Duke was not pleased to come to any resolution as yet in y' particidar,
and I doe not yet find y' His R" H' hath altered his thoughts therein.

\o' last request, for a letf to tlie Govern'' of New Yorke y' j'ou may have quiet possession is
in effect already answered and graunted : But whereas you mencon in y' Ire, isles y' lye about
Newcastle in Delaware River, I must take notice to you y' y' is quite a new proposall, haveing
(as I believe) never heard 3'ou mencon Isles (in y' river) till now neither had I ever any comands
from y"" Duke touching the passing of y"" to you. But all along have believed y' the River it
selfe (that is y^ shoare of it) was to be your East Boundary, and I believe you will find the
words of your pattent y' describe your Boundaryes to import noe more, soe as if any gen" words
afterwards have isles inserted amongst y"" 'tis w' I cannot say any thing for, neither can I judge
liow far such an enumeracon of particulars can include any more then y= gen" Boundaryes doe.

I hope you will p'ceive by y' cleare answer as well as w" you reflect on all y* progress of
y'' businesse that I have beene and am -willing to comply w' all your conveniences as far as I
have authority from y' Duke my R" Masf soe to doe, and I assure you y' I doe very heartily
wish you good successe in your American voyadge, as being k."

To W" Penn Esq'' &-=

LONDON DOCUiMENTS : IV. 2M'

Warrant to Governor Andros to i-ei-ign a House to Mrs. Ogle.

[New- York Ealrics, CLI. SO.]

Whereas I am possessed of a house iu New Yorke called heretofore hy Coll Lovelace his
Garden House in y= Broadway Street, unto w"^"" Dame Isabella Stross (als Ogle) p''tends to have
right (alleadging y' y* s** Lovelace was only her trustee) though she is not able to make out y*
same iu law ; and Whereas in complyauce' to her (considering the losses susteyned by her at y*
late seisure of New York by the Dutch) I am willing to resigne to her y° said house : These
are accordingly to will authorize and require you to cause possession of y° s"* house with its
appurtences to be given to her or her assignes, w* all arreares of rent due from y° first day of
January last past : for w"^"" this shalbe yo' Warr' Given und'' my hand at Edinburgh y'' 30""
day of July 16S1.

To S'' Edm^ Andros Kn' &'

Sir John Werden to Sir Allen Apsley.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 37. ]

Edinburgh 8 Aug'' (81)
Sir

I send you here inclosed (by the Dukes comand) a copy of a Ire w"^"" I rec"" on last Saturday
night late w'^'' the Duke hath seene) as alsoe the inclosed from y' Duke for Lieuten' Brockholes.
In case you (w"" L"* Hyde and Co" : Legge and w"" else you please, but especially y^ Dukes
Councell or other able advice in Law) shall approve of its being sent, and then it is to be dispatciied
away by the first opportunity. But if you thinke it not fitt to be sent, then the Duke expects
you should assoone as possible send him all yo' opinions, w' is fitt for him to doe in this matter.
You may remember how often you have heard w' the consequences would be of y* late releases
to y* Quakers and S"" Geo. Carterett of New Jersey, viz' the certaine losse of the trade and
revenue of New York, and (though at p'"sent y^ losse seemes a little hastened by the oversight
of the Offic" of the Customes or scruples of y*" Lieuteii' there) I believe you will find y'
inconvenience could not be long prevented. For supposeing it to be in y'^ Dukes power
lawfully to impose Customes for the future (w^"" in complyance to S' W°' Jones his opinion,
I begin to doubt) as not haveing any stronger reasons to believe it now then those W'' he
overruled ; yet it is most probable if the Duke doe make use of y' legall authority, it will in a
short time be of noe other effect y" to ruine New Yorke, by driveing all the inhabitants from
thence, only crosse y' river to New Jersey where they may trade freely without being lyable to
any such publique paym"

' The Record of the above Order in Book of Commissions, I. 32, in the Secretary's Office, has " Compassion " instead
of C'omplia7ice. — Ed.

292 " NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

But I liave said enough of y' business uulesse I was better instructed in it ; for except }•' Ire
from Lieuten' Broclvholes, I have not had any of a long time ; not one from M' Lewen ever
since his departure, w'^'' (as I remember) was about y' time last yeare.

I add therefore but one word more, and y' is, to put you in mind y' all possible dispatch is
necessary in y' afFayre, if you pretend to any share of y* customes y^ yeare ; for already many
of y' goods are imported there, and about October or November (at farthest) all y* Beaver and
peltry wilbe exported from thence. I am &c.

To S"' Allen Apsley Kn' Trear
and ReC Gen" to his R" ff'

Duhi of Yorh to Lieutenant Brocl'lioles'.

[ New- York EDlries, CLI. 87. ]

Edinburgh 8 Aug. (81.)
Lieuten' Brockholcs

I have seene yo' letf of y" 14"' INIay last to my Sec^ wherein you seemed doubtfuU w' to doe
iu y' matter of the Customes, in regard y^ 3 yeares expired in Nov'' last for w'^'' they were last
established. But inasmuch as you may (w"* y^ advice of the Councell) make temporary ord"
and rales for y*" advantage of y^ governem' to continue till my pleasure be knowne therein : I
wonder you should thus long have left soe raateriall a point undetermined, and I expect you
should settle and continue by some temporary ord'' the same paym'" of Customes and other
publique dutyes as have beene lately established and collected, untill further orders from me ;
who at y^ present have sev'all things in my thoughts w'^'" I hope may conduce much to y* good
and satisfaccon of all y*' inhabitants and trad"'^ within that governem'

I have now thought fitt to send you only y' short letter, but 'ore long intend further ord"

from.

Yo"" loveing freind &"
To Lieu' Anthony Brockholes
Comand'' in Cheife at New York

in America.
Or other Officer in Chief, there.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : TV.
ProceaVings of tlie Governor and Council, and the AssenMy of JVew Jersey/.

[New-Tork Paprrs, 1. VVj.]

A Coppy of the Proceedings of the Govenio'' Couiicell and Asseniblj^ att a Court
held att Elizabeth Towne in New Jersey from Octo'" the 19"' to November
the 2-^ 16S1.

Wee the Representatives desire to bee informed whether wee are to look upon the late Grant
from the Duke to the Proprietors as the Foimdaoon of our Governm' Oetob'' the lO"" IGSl.

Sam" Dennis

CI. to the Dep''\

T/i/i jl?isu'er.

The Pattent from the Duke of Yorke to the Proprieto" upon which o"" Commissions^ are

grounded setts forth the foundacon of our Governm' as you haue been confa-med und"" his Mat'"

owne hand and wee well hoped that none of the seed sowne by S"" Edmond Andross had taken

soe deep a roote as that any of the Dep"' of this Province should att this time question the

foundacon of o"" Governm' unlesse they would improue their small Tallaut to justilie S'' Edmond

Andross his accons wherefore we desire in the prosecution of yo'' Dutyes that you would fiill

upon something that may be for the good of the Province.

By order of the Governo"' & Councell 19"' Octob"' IGSl.

Ja. Bollen Sec/.
A true copy with y^ originall by me

Sam" DennIs Cler. to the Deputies.

To the Deputies.

In answer to yC Reply. In soe much as you have disputed the basis and foundacon of our
Governm', wee thinke itt convenient to haue a committee appointed of 3 or 4 of this house and
as many of yo''* to debate and remove these Scruples whereby there may be a good understanding
between us. To be this afternoon. Octob'' 20. IGSl. By Ord'' of the Governo'' & Co"

Ja. Bullen Sen''

October the 20"' IGSl. A Connuittee appointed by the House of Debate the matter relateing
to the aboue written as namely Cap' John Bowne Speaker of the house, W Tho : Johnson, M''
Edward Slaughter, M"' John Elsby, Resolved that the Commissions' graunted by the Lord John
Berkly and S"" George Carterrett Bareing Date the 10"" fleb. 1GG4 to all such persons as are
or shall become ftreehold''' in the Province of New Jersey is to be taken according to the Letter
w"'out any Interpretacon whatsoever Octob"' 20"" JG81.

Sam" Dennis C to the Dep"

' For " Commissions," tbrmighont this docunipnt, ronil " Coiirmsinns." Hoc Clinlmrrx. fil5. (V20 ; W'/ntehend's Ensl Jersey,
33, 80, 192.— Ed.

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

A. Rt'l'^D t'-> 'in Answer of a Q/icix made bij this ho/isc to the Guverno'' and Counccll

Wee intended no more than a Right Understanding as necessary to a Right Proceeding what
cause or suspitiou to the Contrary wee know not. Wee hoped tliose scruples had been
removed the Last meeting therefore desire all Reflecting Expressions may be forborne as not
tending to Peace. Octob'' 20"' 16S1.

Sam" Dennis CI. to y^ Dep'"

To the Deputies.

In answ'' to yo' Bill of the 20"' Instant wee Desire to bee informed what Misinterpretacons
wee haue putt upon all or any parte of the Commissions granted by the Lord Barkly and S'
George Carte re tt October the 21"' IGSL

By ord' Ja. Bollen Ser

Wee the Representatiues of the Inhabitants of this Province being Infonned of the many
Encroachm'* made upon the Commissions bareing Date 10 ffeb. 16G4 by Interpretacous Contrary
to the Litterall Sence of the same tending to the subversion of the Priviledges of the Inhabitants
more Espetially a Certaine Paper called A Declaracon of the true Intent and Meaneing of us the
Lords Proprietors and Explacacon of their Commissions made to the Adventurers and Planters
of New Cajsaria, or New Jersey, Dated the G"' Decemb% 1G72 and pretended to be signed by
John Lord Barkely and S'' George Carterelt.

Resolved that the said Paper is a Breach of the Commission under tlie Pretence of w"^
certaine persons have presumed to Act to the greate prejudice of the Inhabitants here settled.
ai"- Octob-- 16S1.

Sam" Dennis CI. to the Dep'

Foj- the Dep"' 21 Octo'- IGSl.

To yo" of this Instant, this signifies that you haue been Informed of many Encroachm"
made upon o" Commissions by a Certain Paper pretended to be signed by Lord John Berkley
and S'^ George Carterett. In Case any such Encroachm" be made upon our Commissions by
virtue of a Paper pretended to be signed as abouesaid wee Desire to be fully informed thereof
both as to the Encroachm' and the persons that haue Encroached
By the Ord' of the Councell

Ja. Bollen Ser.

The House Adjourned 'till 22"' Octob"- to Eight of the Clocke Octob-- 22"' att Eight of the
Clocke the house mett.

To o'' hono'' Governo'' and his Councell Octob'' 22"' IGSl.

In answer to yo' last of the 21"' of Octob. IGSl in order to gluing you a full understanding of
the Matter in Debate wee desire a Committee may be chosen out of both houses 4 or 5 of each to
meete eitlier this Present Instant or Munday next as you shall see Best.

Sam" Dennis.

CI. to y' Dep"'

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV.

For the Dqiu/ics 22 Orfo/V. IGSl.

In answer to yo" of this Instant wee doe appoint Monday next Betweene 11 or 12 of Clock to
Debate the Matter in Controversey betweene 3 or 4 of the memb" of Each house.
Wee haue adjourned o'' meeting 'till the time abouesaid.
By Ord"' of y" Governo'' and Councell

Ja. Bollex. Ser.

This house desolved into a Committie to Debate the matt" above expressed the Connnittie
are namely Cap' John Bowne Speaker of the house M'' Tho. Johnson, M" Edward Slater, M''
John Curtis.

This house Adjourned to tuesday 25"' Octob''

Tuesday spent in debates betweene the Committie and Obteyneing a Coppy of Directions,
Instructions and Ord" &''

Wee the Representatiues haueing perused and well weighed the Directions, Instructions and
Ord" of the Lord Proprietors in order to a Declaracon by him made of the true Intent and
meaning and on Explanacon of severall articles of the Commissions formerly made by him and
the Lord Barkely bareing Date the 10'"' ffeb. 16G4 doe finde that they are in many partes
contradictory to the said Commissions and Prejudiciall to the Power and Priuiledges- of the
Cenerall Assembly and people. We doe therefore desire and Expect that the same may be
made voyd and of none effect. Octob'' 27. 16S1

Sam" Dexnis. CI. to y« Dep""

To (he house of Dei/''' Octob'' 21"' 16S1.

In yo''' of Even Date yon signifie that you have well weighed the lustrum' of Directions,
Instructions and Ord" of the Lord Proprietors as alsoe a Declaracon of the true Intent and
meaneing, and an Explanacon of severall articles of the Commissions formerly made by John
Lord Berkly and S^ George Carteret bareing date the 10"' ffeb. 1GG4 further adding that you
finde they are in many partes contradictory to the said Commission and Prejudiciall to the
Power and Priviledge of the Generall Assembly for Answer wee well know that the Generall
Assembly doth not consist of you the Dep"^* alone wisdome is Justified of her Children and
teacheth men wherein they stand distinct to answer for themselves and not for the whole, you
further add that you desire and expect that the boddy of the said lustrum' should be made void
as you have had the benefitt of reading as well as weighing (as you say) the said Instrument.
If you had also©, had the Benefitt of understanding, you would neither have desired nor
Expected the same to be made voyd.

B}' Ord"^ of the Governo' and Conncell

Ja. Bollen. S6c.

Adjourned to ffrydav SS"- Octob"^ att Eight a Clock.

Jgf NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. "

That Whereas wee the Representatives iwvv assembled haueing made o'' applicacon to the
Governo"' and Councell for the Abolishing of an Instrum' of writeing Endeavoured to be obtruded
u])on the Inhabitants of this Province intituled Directions, Instructions and Ord" of the Lord
Proprietors in order to a Declaracon by him made of the true Intent and meaneing and an
Explenacon of severall Articles of the Commissions made by the Lord John Barkely and S''
George Carterett bareing date the 10"' day of ffeb. 16G4. Wee haueing maturely and Dilligently
Examined the same doe finde them in many partes contradictory to the said Commissions
abating the power of the Assembly and by that meanes infringing the ffreedomes and Priviledges
of tiie People the Governo"" and Councell instead of Returning a positive Answer thereunto doe
reflect upon the Ability and understanding of the Deputies and thereby implicitly Denyed the
same, Wee are therefore Necessitated in pursuance of the trust reposed in us to make this o'
Protestacon against the said Directions Instructions &'^ and Doe hereby declare the Inhabitants
of this Province nut obliged to conlbrme y'"selves thereunto.

()ctob''2s"' IGSl. Sam Denms

CI. Dep"

To the house of Di-jf"

According to the lO'h article in the Power granted to the Generall Assembly by the
Commissions and to the end no Encroachm' or Contradiccon may be putt upon the said
Commissions wee doe hereby minde you what the said Comissions require ( to wit ) that
Provision be made for a Competent supply for the Maintainance of the Governo'" and Governm'
and the paym' of tiie Lord Proprietors (^uitt Pent that are in Arreares and unpaid as by a
Paper formerly sent you by the Secretary and not answered nor yet no returne of the Peticon
Exhibited by the Inhabitants of Bergen it is Desired that some speedy Course may be taken by
answering the premisses with Effect.

By Ord"" of the Governo'' & Coun"

Ja. Bollen, Ser.

To the. Deinaks -2^ Ckioh'' IGSl.

In Vours of the iib"' Currant you desire to be informed of the matter to be Debated on lor
answer the designe of the intended debate is that if possible whatsoeuer obstructs the accom-
plishment of the Well Settling the Allaires of tliis province may be Removed by a Debate of
the Generall Assembly.

By ord'' of tlie Governo'' and Councell

Ja. Bullen. Ser.

'io tilt Govuriio'' ^ Coun''

Wee cannot Perceue by yo" Ditto the matter to be; Debated on Therefore Desire to know
the Particulers: Octob : 29. 1681.

Sam. Dennis CI. Dep"*

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. gl^

To the Dejn/tics 29"' Octob'' IGSl.

In yo" of Even Date j^ou desire to know the perticulers intended to be Debated in a Com-
niitte of the whole Generall Assembly had there been only perticulers to haue been debated
a Comitte of less number then the whole generall assembly might haue been sufficient to haue
Debated the same but doubtlesse the generall Concernes of the whole Province (as is fully
submitted to you in our last) Requires a Debate of the Generall Assembly and to the End wee
must stand cleare from the Guilt .and Imputacon of others offences wee desire that a generall
Debate of the whole Assembly may be forthwith had.
By Ord'' of the Govemo"" & Councell

Ja. Bullen. Ser.

To the Depf'" 29''' Orto'' 16S1.

Yo" of the 2"' [29th V] Currant wee Receiueed, for answer we understand by the 6"" Article In
the Connnissions that the Lord Proprietors did reserve unto themselves and their heires &' full
and also late power to make Interpretation or Interpretacons, Explanacon or Explanacons and
Alteracon of the severall Articles in the said Commissions and alsoe to issue forth Directions
and Instruccons to be putt in Execucon att pleasure and yett noe Abatem' of the Legall Power
granted to the generall Assembly nor infringing of the Liberty and Priviledge of the people as
is ignorantly alleadged for that where a graunt is made under Limitacon and proviso what is
thereby restrained is absolutely Reversed to the said Proprietors and theire heires &"" and that
theire is such a Limitacon and Proviso in the said Commissions or Grant it will plainly appeare
by the said G"" Article Relacon thereunto being had, and it is matter of lamentacon that the
Representatiues of this Province should be soe shorte sighted that they cannot see that he
which runnes may Read.

By Ord'' of the Governo'' & Councell

Ja. Bollen. Ser.

To the Gorcrno'' i^' Councell.

In Answer to yo' last P'sented from yo' Hono" of Even date that the fore part there asserted
relateing to the 6'"' Article is soe ftarr from Reason and Justice that being loath to declare a want
of truth wee will rather conclude a want of due consideracon and understanding thereof, and
that the foresight of the Inquisitors and Contrivers of this your last returne did want a true
prospectiue clearly to perceiue what is legally to be concluded for the proprietors Interest and
Common Good of the Inhabitants, Therefore we the Deputies for the Country are resolved to
abide and stand by the Protest already presented, and without feare hazard the menaces o'
members mett w"" from your house, rather then betray the trust reposed in us for the publique.

Octob' ag* 1681

Sam" Dennis CI. to the Dep''"

Vol. III. 38

g0g NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

To the Dcpiilies 29'* Octol/ 1681.

About 12 of the clock this present Day two of yo'' members delivered a message from you
to this board, to witt, that you would haue us appoint a time and place for the Convenience of
the Generall Assembly to the end the whole might be dissolved into a Coramittie to debate the
publique Affaires of this Province And wee returned for answer that about two of the clock this
present afternoone wee would be att the place ready to provide upon the intended debate and
your said members promised in yo'' behalfe that you should obserue the time and place the
which hath not been performed had wee men to doe withall that haue regard to their Promise
it would be a happinesse both to us and the Province you may doe well to call it to mind that
as you bare the shape of men you should acknowledge your Error and doe yourselues and tlie
Contrivers of the Breach of the said promise and the whole Province soe much right as to
joyne in a Debate to be held by a Committie of the whole Generall Assembly upon Munday
next by 10 a Clock of the same day to the end that every member of the Generall asseml)ly
may see with his owne eyes and here witli his owne Eares the things that concerned the
present bleeding condicon of the whole Province to which time wee haue adjourned.
By Ord'' of the Governo"' and Councell

Ja. Bollex. Ser.

Octob-^ the SI"" IGSl.

To tkc Gorcniu'' ^' Cuinurll.

The stop intended in the G"" Article can be no Relative to the antecedent ffreedoms and Immu-
nities for it cannot in reason be presumed that the Governo'' Councell and Assembly (who haue
power to make such stop as well as the proprietor) would infrienge the power of them
Wherefore the said stop or Contradiccon can be a relative to no other then the persons
menconed in the said article with refference to Dutchmen thereby to prevent too many of them
to be admitted amongst us, (New Yorke Governm' being most settled by them) whereby they
might in time be to strong for the Phiglish and soe revolt from the English Governm'

Should the stop aforesaid haue refference to the ffreedomes and imnumities yet it cannot
deprive any persons of those ffreedomes and Imunities that wer settled before such stop was
made and soe consequently there must be two Governo''* one for such as came before such stop
and another for those that came after.

Be all this granted yett the Dep"" that now are assembled are appointed by those that have
been settled before such stop came and therefore may not be depriued of their ffreedomes &'.
The Lords would likely never haue had a thought of such Contradiccon of themselves had it
nott been a bratt begotten in New Jersey sent for England to be bonie and Retransported to
New Jersey to be fed with the groanes and Oppressions of the People.

Sam. Dennis CI. to the Dep""

To the Dc/puties.

This is to reminde you of what the Commissions enjoynes you to doe and you are desired
nott to omitt doeing what y" Commissions requires to be done as in the tenth article relacon
thereimto being had by act to make Provision for the Governo' and Governm' and by act to

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 299

require every respectiue constable in his constableree to collect, gather and receeve the Lord
Proprietors Quitt Rent, and pay the same to the Generall Receiver without charge to the said
Lord Proprietors it is expected tiiat you should comply with the said lO"" Article in the said
Commissions or forthwith shew cause to this Board to the Contrary.
By Ord"' of the Governo"' & Councell

Ja : BOLLEN. CI.

To the Governo'' i^ Councdl

In answer to yours of the SI"" Octoh"' it is the Opinion of this house that wee are now about
ours and the Countryes businesse every thing is beautifull in his season this house expects that
those Acts already before you should be passed and returned back to this house. Novemb 1.
IGSl.

Sam" Dexms. CI. to Dep"»

Novemb"' the 2 : 16SL Came in person to the house of Deputies assembled by the Governo"
writt dated 11 July IGSl Cap' James Bolleu, Cap' Henry Greenland, ft^ Sam" Edsall ; then
and there Cap' Bolleu did declare that he the said Bollen by ord"' was to desire you the whole
house of Dep"^' Immediately to go allong with him the said Bollen to the Councell Board.

Cap' John Bowue Speaker to the house of Deputies replyed wee desire to consider of it a
little. Upon said Reply Cap' Bollen Immediatly declared he had ord"' from Governo"' and
Councell to declare this Pretended house of Deputies be Dissolved, and you are hereby Dissolved
also the said Bullen declared he had Order to leaue with the house of Deputies a Certaine
Paper which accordingly he the said Bollen left upon the Dep'* Table which said Paper next
tiblloweth upon Record.

Province of East New Jersey To the Dep" the 1"' of Novemb'' IGSl.

By the Governo"" & Councell.

Yo"'' of Even Date lyes before us wherein you assume to yo' selues the title of the generall
assembl}', the truth is if you were all persons quallilied for Dep'"' yett true wisdome would teach
you better manners then to stile Yo''selves the Generall Assembly. Doubtlesse there was no
want of Ignorance and Disloyalty where this Bratt had its educacon insomuch as that the generall
assembly consists of the Governo"' Councell and Deputies ergo the Deputies no generall assembh',
it was Lucifers Pride that putt him upon settling himselfe where God never intended to sett
him and his Presumption produced or was forerunner of his fall ; you sett yo'selues where the
Lawes of England nor yett the Commissions of this Province never sett nor intended to sett
men that are but in private Capacity, as upon Examinacon many of you will proue to be ; to
the Point of Quallificacon for that by the Law of England every mann quallified to Elect or to
be Elected must sweare to be leagally seized of an Estate in ffee of fibrty shillings p annum,
besides reprisalls in the same Countey where he claimes his Priviledge and by o"' Commissions
to be leageally and actually seized of a ffreehold Estate by virtue of a Pattent from the Lord
Proprieto"'* and the same recorded in the Secretaryes office, and some of you haue confessed and
it will appeare that theire are some persons amongst you not Quallified accordingly and therefore
butt men in priuate capacity aud not the meu intended by the writt of sumOns Butt wee being

goo NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

in a measure Hiiacquaintecl with yo'' Present Quallificacons which now upon enquiry is made
too apparent unto us have Exciianged some notes with you and in your last sent to us you say
that you cannott answer ours wherein wee putt you in minde of wliat the 10"' Article in the
Commissions enjoyned you to doe but say you are about yo"' owne businesse and the Contryes,
you pretend to be men in Publick Places butt declare in plain words you are first for yo' private
End and then for the Contryes. Private Spiritts in men in publique employ"" are the Jewels
that addorne yo' brests as is und' the hand of the Clarke of the pretended Gen" Assembly
Every thing being beautifuU in its season and soe wee bid you fairewell.
By Urd--

James Bollen Ser

Upon the pretended Resolution of the House of Deputies by Cap' Bollen sitting att Elizabeth
Towne. NovemV the 2'" IGSl,

The House of Deputies with one Consent did protest against the said Desolution as being
contrary to the Concessions and an Innovacon of the Governm'. Protest was Immediatly
made by ord'' of tlie house.

Sam" Dennis. Clerke.

A true Coppy with the Originall.

Endorsed

Proceedings of the Governor
Councell and Assembly att
Elizabeth Towne in New
Jersey from y" 19"" Octob"'
to y' 2" Novemb"" 1681.

Cdse of Milhorne against Andros.

[ New-Tork Tapers, I. 265. ]

Tro Defend

Jacob Milhorne pit. S' Edmond Andros Deft.
London ss.

The pit declares that the Deft the 26"" of Decembr 30° Caroli &c with force & amies &"= did
make an Assault upon the pit & him then & there did beat, wound, evilly intreat & imprison
& him in prison ag' the Law of England did detaine & keepe by the space of 24 houres. By
reason whereof diurs businesses of the pit by all that time remained undone. Declares that
the deft tlie 29"' of Decemb'' anno spd vi et armis &c. did make an assault upon the pit and him
then and there did beat, wound and evilly intreat & imprison, and him the said pit in prison
did detaine & keep ag' the laws of England by the space of 6 days, by reason whereof the said
pit lost divers gaines and advantages in the prosecucon of his businesse by all that time which
he could have got to his damage lOOU".

The King by his Lres pattents dated the 29"' of June 1674 granted certaine lands in America
to his Royall Highnesse the Duke of Yorke & his heires & assignes for ever, whereby the said

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 301

Duke is enabled to depute and appoint any other person Govemo'' of the said place called New
Yorke &c or any part thereof with full power to punish & correct all misdemeano" there
committed and to doe all other things for the good governm' thereof, soe as such proceedings
be not contrary but so neare as may be agreeable to the Laws of England as p'' the said Lres
patents. The said Duke the 1" of July 1674 by his Comission appointed the deft to be Ids
Deputy or Governo"" of the said New Yorke &c in America, and by the custome of the said
place & for the better ordering & well Governm' thereof all persons whatsoever coming from
any Place or Port in Trade or otherwise to New Yorke or any other place there, have been
used to attend the Govemo'' there to give an Acco' of his coming thither. The deft [Pit?] about
the time in the Declaracon meuconed arriving at New Yorke as he had done formerly & behaving
himselfe scandalously & reproachfully in relacon to the Governm* of the said place thereby
incouraging others to be mutinous, was desired by the Surveyo"" of the Customes & Haven
Master to attend the Governo"' then being, the pit saying he had nothing to doe with the
Govemo'' or Governm', & he refusing so to doe, & Complaint thereof being made to the Govemo''
& Councill, Capt Delavall brought the pit before the Councill, who upon Examinacou did
appeare to them to be a troublesome & mutinous person reflecting upon the authority and for
that & other his misdemeano''' the Councill ordered his Comitment to the Sheriffe there about
10 of the clock at night &•= which is the Imprisonment in the Declaracon though in truth he
had liberty to goe abroad next morning & is all the assault & Imprisonment the deft is guilty
of, doing nothing of himselfe but b}' an order made in Council & signed by the Secretary one
of the Councill.

That the Governo"'* Instruccons were to advise with the Councill upon any Extraordinary
occasion & to act as they advised, as in this Case, who by the Laws of the country are Justices
of the peace & cheife Magistrates there.

It cannot be expected that the deft should give an Acco* of every p'ticular relateing to this
matter, the same being done abroad Anno 1G7S. And what the deft and Council soe did was
for the preservacon of the peace of the Governm'

The Surveyo'' & Haven INP proves the behaviour & carriage of the pit & the Custome of all
persons coming thither upon any businesse or Trade to attend the Govemo'' to give an acco'
from whence he came & alsoe that he did complaine to the Governo'' of such his misbehaviour.

The Collector of the Dukes Customes there & one of the Councill (now Mayo'' of New Yorke)
proves the pits being before the Governo'' & the Councill, that his Comitment was by order of
Council (whereof he was one) for his rude and insolent behaviour.

Proves the deft to be Governo'' & his Reputacon & conduct during the time of his Governm'
there.

That the pit is a person of noe credit, but one that hath been bought as a serv' in
Note. Barbadoes & New England and by reason of his stubbornesse & disobedience to his Ma'*
hath severall times been transferred from one Master to another.

That about the time the pit was Comitted by the Council for his malversacons both at New
Yorke & Albany & considering that there had been seuall insurreccous in Virginia & ISIaryland;
besides the Indian Warrs and in order to quell the same that severall fForces had been sent from
England thither, soe that y' deft and the Council could not be blamed to curb the insolent
carriage of pit in order to preserve the peace of that countrey, nor can the Acts of Trade &
Navigacon be otherwise observed & secured upon neglect of which the penalty is severe.

That all appeals from the said Plantacons have constantly been to the King & Councill.

302 NEWyORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. LewiiCs Report on the Government of JSfeiv - Yorh.

[New-Vork Papers, I. 207.]

The humble Report of John Lewin Gent Agent & Serv' to yo^ Roy" Higlni' in
New Yorke and Albany, and other yo'" Roy" Highn* Lands and Territoryes
in Amei-ica, In obedience to and pursuance of yo"' Royall High' Comission
and instruccons to him directed bearing date att Windsor the 24"" day of
May IGSO. The particulars whereof to the best of his dilligent Enquiry and
Informacon, considering his short aboad and obstruccions hee mett with
there, are as follovveth.

May it please yo'' Roy^' Higk/i'

To the ffirst. Att my arrivall att New Yorke the IG"" day of Octob"' 16S0 Sir Edmund Andros
was gone for Boston in New England, upon his returne I applyed myself to him according to
my Instruccons and delivered him such yo^ Roy" Highn' Letters and other Letters and Orders
as I had received for him, and shewed him my Comission from yo"' Roy" Highn' whereupon S"'
Edm** ordered the Custonie House bookes, Papers, S: Accot' ISC'" should be delivered into my
Custody, and I reced sucli bookes & papers as were tlien in the Custome house many sent [by]
others being sent me afterwards relateing to the bookes accompting from the S"* day of November
1074 to the 2^ day of Octob'' inclCis 1G7C :. The other bookes I'or the last 4 yeares I looked
into and sawe them soe fairly written they seemed not to have been long out of tiie Clarkes
hands. But being daily used I let them remaine in the Custome House 'till the Audita was
passed being to the 30"" Nov" 1680. And then they were sent mee w"" such Papers as the}'
hadd or att least owned to haue, ffor doubting I hadd not all the bookes (as in truth I had not
then or since) I told M' Dyre before the Gov'' I did question if I had all the Custome house
bookes, who did then affirme before the Gov'' I had them all, and offered himselfe and Office''*
to make oath of it. But having seen an oatii of his owne inventing and being informed 'of his
practice that way, I thought itt better to lett that alone for some time, & afterwards at a
convenient time I sent for his Clarke Richard Welch and asked him if those bookes, called a
Journal & Ledger w"" vellom Covers and his Roy" Highn' Cypher guilt on them, were the only
bookes kept in the Custome House for these last 4 yeares, hee looked ujion them and told mee
the Inke and writing was almost (if not quite) as fresh att the beginning as att the end, that
hee had seene a great booke in the Custome house w"'' Capt. Dyre said w^as iiis booke of
Acco" att Nova Scotia ; Then I sent lor Peter Delanoy M'' Dyre's Bookekeeper, and asked him
concerning the said Bookes, hee told mee they were his owne hand writing. Then I asked
him if there were noe other than those w'^'' had been kept for the Accompt of Customes, these
being only Acco" of Cash Deb'' & Credito'' hee told me there was a IMotter in w'^'' lie entred
all the Customes, and then fairly transcribed them into these bookes, w''' I haue now brought
over Butt 1 never had the Blotter, M'' Dyre denying that hee had any, S'' Edmund Andros
declared hee liad noe Custome house Bookes or Accompts in his hands. But when 1 began to
e.\amine the Bookes I found that tiio Mcrch" original! Entryes were kept in the ffort, I sent to
M'' Wells, Sir Edmuiuls Steward for them who brought me sucli as lice owned to haiu', w'^'' did
not answer the bookes some moneths wanting in tin; first and second yeares vV'' gave mee the
trouble to search them of the ffort and those of the Custome house to find how neare they

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 303

would agree w"" the books of W"" I sliall give the best Acco' that can be formed by the same in
the Tenth Article following.

To the 2^ I could not have the Patent bookes for Land granted delivered to me before I
moved the Councill ISr West (the now Secrary or Clarke) pretending hee could not deliver them
without order, Notwithstanding the Governo"" declared in Councill I should have them or
anything else for his Roy" Higlm" service. But M'' West & M"' Dyre and others used all their
cunning practices to give mee all the trouble they could.

To the 3^ Most of the patents granted in former Governo" time make no mencon of any
Quantity of Acres especially in Long Island, where most is granted in Towue shipps without
Quitt Rent or any other rent, but services have been demanded from them in Coll. Lovelace's
time for repaireing ftbrt James and the Townes assessed perhaps because more remote from
the water, John Archer hath a patent granted by Coll Lovelace of a Manno'' called fFordham,
fibr w^"* he payeth 3" : 15' : l"* p ann. All the planters on Staten Island pay one bushell of
wheate each lott w'''' consists of SO acres, but most of those patteuts are lately granted as p'
jM' Wests acco'

The patents in most places are soe imperfect by being see often clianged from one person to
another, taken from some & granted to others, That 1 could not take any acco' of them as
Instructed, Richard Patishall was fforced to renounce his part in his patent with others as p"' his
Attid' Justice Cornewell forced to resigne up his Patent, All vv"^'' Lands are disposed of by the
Gov"' to other persons.

Many holding lands by the Grants of severall Courts, and have noe Patents especially in
Delaware, they finding it impossible for mee to give a direct answ"' to this Article : I desire the
Councill would issue ibrth their warr' to the severall Towns and Tennants or Planters to
make them a Returne of their severall numbers of acres w'"" warr' was sent accordingly But
some persons in New Yorke passed ' the Countrey with such apprehensions of more Taxes to
be imposed upon them, that only one Returne was made, and that from Schenectide which
is in Dutch.

To the 4"" The houses are taxed in New Yorke and Albany, but att uncertaine rates, some
more, some less as they judge requisite & is or ought to be imployed to the use of s"* Townes,
as likewise the small Excise at Albany. But those of New Yorke say they have never had any
perf acco' either of the Tax of houses w^*" amounts to 170" p ann nor of the dockage, wharfage
or Anchorage W'' is conceived amounts to a great sume annually, and should be accompted for
to the Citty for repairing the bridge and the wharfe running to decaye, they likewise say a
considerable sume of money was raised upon their stocks both Inhabitants and Merchant
Strangers for making the Docke att first, but never any acco' made to them of it, though they
conceive there may be considerable surplusage.

Likewise the North and West Rideing in Long Island were putt to great charges in
cutting and squaring Timber and rastings= tockadoes for the making the docke att New Yorke,
and were defrauded in the paym' as p"' severall Affid" will appeare.

The severall Taxes sett or raised by the 200"" penny at Albany, ffines, Amerciam'* &c. are
sett forth in Abstract from severall Records as much as could be found. But there was a Tax
of the 300"" penny at Albany & 200"" penny at Schenectedie of w'"" I could have no ace'

To the S"" Therefs no weigh house in all the Governm' butt at New Yorke, w*^"" duty hath been
sometimes collected by his Roy" Highn' officers, and other times ffarmed as p ditto Abstract.

' Possessed ? — Ed. ' Riding? — Ed.

304 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

I humbly conceive it most profitable to yo'' Roy" Higlin' to have this duty ffarmed bec.iuse
very few (if any) will undertake the trouble of collecting it except they have great allowances,
for since the tobacco trade is decayed the value of s** house is much abated.

To the 6"' The Tappers Licences or great Excise in New Yorke is raised by a duty put
upon Liquo" as by Condicon of the same Excise may appeare. The whole value collected in
the Governo'' Sir Edm'' Andros time will appeare iu the Abstract before menconed.

The Condicon of the Excise att Albany is much different from that att New Yorke as by
Richard Prittyes acco' may more plainly appeare in the said Abstract, That of Esopus and
Kingstowne &c differs from both the other as by an Acco' of the Records there. Yo'' Roy'
Higlui" being allowed part of what is collected alterable att the Govei"nor's pleasure No other
parts or places in the Govenim' pay these dutyes, w'^'' dutyes when they are wholl}- appropriated
to yo"' Roy" High' use or benefitt may be more proffitable to be collected then ffarmed. By
reason that many who have ffarmed the same proved insolvent, or att least are in great arreares
as by S' Edmund Andros his Acco" who chargeth himselfe with noe more then hee actually
receives from time to time expressing noe arreares, by w"^ meanes yo"' Roy" Ilighn' may be a
considerable looser.

To the 7''' The tax constantly continued on Long Island is one penny in the pound
according to the Laws of the Countrey for defraying the Countreys Charges, that is to say, The
Charge of the Assizes att New Yorke once a yeare except oftener called by speciall warr' att
the pleasure of the Governo"' and the Charges of the Courts of Sessions in their respective
Rideings w'^'" are twice a yeai-e. The Justices of Peace have not each 20" p ann as the Lawe
provides, but they and the Jurors have their Expences borne which they say is much more
chargeable to the Countrey besides the ffees which they alleadge are very considerable are all
disposed of, and the Countrey much in debt, as Cap' Young the High Sheriffe did averr to mee.

Staten Island is comprehended in the west Riding of Long Island but payeth noe Tax being
injoyned by their Patents to pay a bushell of good winter wheate for each lott consisting of 80
acres, but never paid any yet, because (as they say) it hath not been demanded.

To the S"" There have been severall Colleccons in Delaware att one penny in the pound
as in Long Island reced by the high sheriffe there, M" Cantwell, but all imployed to the
countryes use, and yet the countrey lefi.in debt as by ftp Cantwell's Acco"

An other constant Tax on Long Island and its Jurisdiccon is Pole money, w''' is taxed upon
the Males above 16 yeares of age at 1' C p ann each, except such as serve in the Troopes of
Horse each of them, and Horse excepted only, w"" Taxes ought to be imployed for the
Countryes Charges as afores'' and with it of the penny in the pound have for this last yeare
amounted to above 500" All which Taxes are paid to the High Sheriffe or his Deputy.

To the O'" ffinding the Records of New Yorke in the Custody of M'' West Towne Clarke I
demanded them iu order to give an Acco' of those severall flines & Amercem'* imposed upon
severall Merch" (as 1 was Informed) and as I humbly conceive commanded by my Instruccons
soe to doe, but hee told mee hee was butt a Serv' to the Citty and could not deliver them
without the Mayo" order. Capt. Dyre being then Mayor of the Citty. Thereupon I applyed
myselfe to him.

Hee told mee hee desired time to aske his Brethren the Aldermens Consent, but attending
his ansW till neare my departure (W^" yet I never had) and finding I \fas to demand them of
him in whose custody they were I demanded them again of M'^ West in presence of Capt,
Breakholes, West replyed hee had asked advice or consent of the Ald'men severally who

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 305

answered That if any such ffiues or Amerceni" were on Record, they were iniployed for tlie
use and behoofe of the Citty and noe way related to his Roynli Highn' soe they conceived I
had nothing to doe with them, w"^"" was West's reply, and I doubt not to be his own sence who
plainl}' refused to deliver the Records to iny perusall.

To the 10"" I judge it very difficult to discover the frauds & cunning practices w"'' may be
used by the Merchants Importers or Exporters by reason there are soe many Islands and
by-places to & from W^"" they may soe easily convey in or out w"'out being discovered.

It doth appeare by the Custome House Bookes that tlie Coll"' Capt. Wilhn Dyre hath
constantly taken 2 per Cent, w"' 50 p Cent advance, w'^'' is 3 p cent inwards, and 3 p Cent w""
50 p cent advance ouer and above the first Custome which is ih p Cent up tiie river to Albany
All these together makes 7 & ^ p Cent Inwards for European Goods.

Rum w"^ formerly paid but G* p hhd since 167S payes 1" p hhd entred att New Yorke & 1" p
hhd more up Hudson's river besides 10' G^ p Anchor att Albany paid to yo' Royall Highn' use,
with severall other dutyes of severall liquors as is Exprest in the 6"" Article.

Tobacco payes 2' p hogsh^ outward. Wine 10' p Pipe inward. Brandy and other Spiritts
pay 15' p hhd inward, all w"" liquors and other goods pay the same up the River as by the
Establishm'

Beaver and all other Peltry w"''" by Estimacon is computed to Beaver pay IS"* each Beaver
skin exported and all other peltry to like value. But I\r Dyre hath demanded Beaver for
Custome, W^"" hee hath reccd by such Dutch weight that they were frequently worth 15' p skin
and sometimes more, but accounted to yo'' Roy" Highn' noe more than 12' each as by booke of
Customes outwards.

I have examined all the Custome house bookes w'''' the Coll'' owned to have and all the
Cocketts and Merchants Entryes w"" the Masters Reports and Cleerings in England w'^'' I could
have delivered to mee not being many, but find the bookes disagreeing, many Cocketts and
Entryes wanting w'^'" should answer them, very few of the Ma" generall Reports to be found
which shew all the parcells in a Shipps Cargo, some Entryes charged less, some more than they
ought to be with many Erro" & Omissions both inward & outward particularly the sume of
ffifty foure pounds 14' C | charged by the Audito" in 1675 ; & 76 upon M"' Dyre Collecto"' as
Deb"" butt hee hath made up soe many of those sumes in the bookes by altering figures and
cutting or tearing out a leafe which should have been between fo. 4 & 5 in the booke of Entry
Outward Anno 1G75 that hee not only cleared himselfe of the debt but gaineth 10" 9' 1'' \ over
and above as appeareth by the Acco' of Erro" & Omissions &'' compared w"" the And" charge :
by w"'' his falsityes and deceipts thus practiced it is impossible to discover how much yo" Roy"
Highn' hath been darapnified.

Henry flSlkin the Custome house searcher put Tobacco on board Richard Patishall without
paying any duty as by Thomas Cokers Afl[id' The same ffilkin declares hee resolved to seize
six hhds of Tobacco put on board the Marg' without any duty paid for them, but Dyre forbid
him and hath severall times ordered him to lett pass such Contraband Goods as ffrederick
phillipps had come from Holland, particularly 20 baggs of Woodmalls w'^'' are proved Dutch
duffles by Phillipps his own entry. The number of Bevers and other peltry computed to
Beav" yearly transported in what shipps and by whom Entered is in a Booke by itselfe what
dutyes have been payd for goods by whom and to whom consigned appeares by bookes
collected from the Custome house bookes & merch" Entryes, It plainly appeares by some
Entryes made short of what they ought to be as in acco' of Erro" & omissions likewise by
Vol. III. 39

305 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Entryes found not in any booke to a considerable value that there hath not been just or honest
dealing in yo'' Roy" Highn" Revenue, but that many greater sumes may & doubtlesse have
defrauded otherwise. It must have been difficult for M"' Dyre to have paid neare 2000" w'''' Sir
Edm*" Andros told mee Dyre was indebted to yo'' Ro3mll Highn' att one time, and I cannot
heare that ever Dyre had creditt for 50" but by yo'' Roy" Highn' Cargo w'^'' was a considerable
time in paying and att last satisfyed in one Article.

The bookes for the last 4 yeares charge 20" p annum to a Bookekeeper and 10" p ann to a
Clarke over and above 2001" p ann allowed by yo' Royall Highn' to the Custome House
OffiC' severall great charges are placed to Acco' in the Bookes for repaireing the Custome House,
The hindermost part of it being a pretty house and 2 chambers over the fore part all in the
Gov''' use, w'''' might defray those charges if lett, att least comprehending the Cellar, W^*" I find
M'' Dyre hath lett for 21' p moneth to Geo. Heathcote as p acco'* of Dyre to him.

It doth not appeare by the bookes how IVP Dyre paid the respective sumes accrev^ang there
for the first 2 yeares, or any mencon made therein of Sallary or Custome house charges &*=

Moreover the 10 p Cent ordeyned to be paid by all shipps which should come from any
other part of Europe or other Countryes then England (though first clearing in England
according to Act of Parliam') hath never been reced but once or att least of one shipp and that
of the shipp Marg' w'''' shipp was seized in S' Edm"* Andros his absence by one Radny then
Surveyo' of the Customes (as I am informed) and afterwards discharged, the goods all appear
to be removed from the King's Custome house, as M' Dyre sometimes is pleased to call it, and
att other times the Duke's Custome house as hee for some causes jndgeth fitt, Yo'' Roy"
Highn' hath lost by this M'' Dyre's wilfull neglect or omission of the 10 p cent which should
have been reced over and above the 2 p cent wliich hee hath reced of the same goods w"" the
50 p cent advance w'^'' hee calls ad valorem the sume of 2594" 19' S"*

I cannot find that any fraud hath been or could be committed in the Customes but by
Connivance or knowledge of M"' Dyre the Surveyo'" Comptroller & searcher being all under his
Command as in ifilkius AfRd' Soe that there hath been noe Checke upon Dyre, some seisures
made have been brought to acco' and others not, viz' Thomas Coker 3 or 400 BeaV' M""
Steenwicke to the value of 300" sterl

To the 11"' I cannot make a calculacon of the true value of all the Customes or any part of
the Goods exported or imported by reason there is not the 10"" pt or for ought I can pceive the
20"" pt of the Ma"'' Reports cleerings Sc" from Engl'' w'='' should answ'' each other as in the
preceeding Article, and soe consequently not to be found where the deceipt layeth or how
palpably to be discovered. But ffilkin the Custome house waiter sayth in his affid' Dyre
ordered him to lett pass 22 Hogsh"' of Rumm belonging to firedericke Phillipps a merchant in
New Yorke not entred or any duty paid for the same.

M"' Edward Grifllth Merc"" declareth upon oath that M'' Dyre told him that in the yeare 1675,
76 & 77 the Customes amounted as p bookes to 14,700 & odd pounds being almost double the
sume I can find in them, which must needs demonstrate a great abuse to yo"' Royall Highn'

But I have acco' by as sober and knowing merch" as are in New Yorke That the Customes
& other Yo' Roy" Highn' Revenues in that Colony upon a modest computacon may justly
amount to above 5600" p ann nor any man injured, and suppose it may be well beleived that
the Merchants would not overvahie them least still harder measures might be taken to the
prejudice.

To the 12"" The number of whales killed in those parts are never observed by any p'son

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 307

nor the quantity of Bone or Oyle particularly taken notice of, but shared to the Companyes by
whom they are slaine.

There is noe share cometh to yo" Royall Highn" but of such as are stranded nor can I find
any more have beene soe found saving one on Long Island and an other in Delaware River,
but noe part of either brought to acco'
To the 13"'

The first part of this Article is answered in the Tenth Article.

There hath beene noe certaine accompt kept of ships coming into or going out of New Yorke,
But those shipps which have come from Holland will be seen in the Acco' ouiitting the 10 p
Cent; nor hath any regular acco' been kept of goods Imported to Albany otherwise then
included in the bookes of Custonies, Nor hath any particular Acco' of Beav''* & Peltry bin
kept from Albany to New Yorke, but in the passes from the severall Comanders there expressing
Packes, Cases &' hut noe Quautityes. The Dutyes up the River likewise exprest in the 10
Article.

To the 14"' The Governo"' was pleased to tell mee I had noe power to inspect the disbursm"
of the Revenue, but only the profitts reced and refused mee to peruse his bookes and Acco"
until hee had caused them to be transcribed by Peter Delanoy w"* was so near his departure,
that I had not oportunity or time enough to examine them as was requisite for mee to give a
perfect answer to this article.

I could noe way perceive or find out by all the wayes and meanes I could use that it was
possible such sumes of money could be expended on ffort James, except by pulling down and
building up again the kitchen & a shedd which hath been repeated severall times, and by
taking the Dutch tyles from off the great house and covering it with shingles altering the staires
and such other practices, by w*^"" Sould''% his owne Serv"* and Negroes are imployed and yo"'
Roy" Highn'' Revenue greatly exhausted accompting 2^ per diem to the meanest workman
and 6' to the carpenters & workmen though paid in Rum cSr. goods, but charged to yo"' Roy"
Highn' in Beaver or Sterl money for in the yeare 1G7S (v^-hilst the Gov' was in England) Capt.
Brockholes was obliged to planke the platt formes and new stockadoe the fort round which
were brought att the Countrey's charge. But in the Gover''' Acco' Incident charges Indians &•=
are soe crowded in by wholesale for ballance though itt appeares in the tax of the 200 penny at
Albany, Indian presents building of the house Si.' there is in a great measure satisfyed
from that & many other things as will appeare thereby. Nor can I conceive the annuall charges
of the fibrts houses &'^ can amount to above 4 or 500'' except by some great and unusall
accident.

The Old Hospitall menconed in the Gov""' last acco' to be sold for 200" might have been sold
as it stood for 300" to Coll. Mauritts, but was pull'd downe the materialls removed to rebuild
an Apartm' taken downe in the ffbrt w'^'' hath considerably inlarged the said Acco' but noe
mencon of the street there sold for 75" more then is accompted for, nor of the Dutch tyles of
the Old Hospital sold to Capt. Brockholes.

That part of this Article which relates to S"" Edm. Andros his acco' from Nov"' 1G77 to
January 1678, being too tedious to bring in here is answered by itselfe.

To the 15"" I have been informed by severall in New Yorke that there hath been such
particular Connivance practiced to some few Dutch Merchants viz' ffredrick Phillipps & Stephanus
van Cortlandt the Gov''" Trustee there both in regard of Trade &"= by such gentlemen dealing
w"- them, & such rigid usage to others that hath caused a gi-eat Obstruccon to Trade by those

^Qg NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANLfSCRlPTS.

discouragem" given indeed to all the English both by the Gov'' hiraselfe and persons imployed

ty him, iiaving suffered goods to be brought in contrary to the Act of Navigacon & Trade, and

hath soe terrifyed severall persons who did coniplaine of the same that none dared to appeare

to prosecute which hath not only been hard on the English Inhabitants there, but hath much

hindered &c prevented many others from Barbadoes and other places both from tradeing thither,

and from comeing to settle with their ffamileys w"''' may be prevented for the future by placeing

such discreet & honest Offic" that Justice may be equally distributed to all men, & yo' Roy"

Highn' not deceived & abused

Jo. Lewin.

Governor xindro^' Aii-s'Wrr to Mr. LewlrHs Report. ''' ''

[ New- York Papers, 1. 273. ]

Tlie Answer of S"' Edmond Andros Kn' (his Roy" Highn' Lieuten' & Governor
of New York and Dependeneyes in America) by Order of Tlie Right Hono'''*
the Lord Viscount Hyde, and other His Roy" Highn" Com''" To the Report
made to his Roy" Highn' by John Lewin gent, att his Returne from .New
Yorke afbres'' To soe much a I can at present remember materiall for mee
to Reply to, upon soe generall and confused a Report. I doe humbly Answer
to tiie severall Articles of his s** Report deliver'd mee the 24"" of this Instant
December 16S1. As ffolloweth.

To the 1" Upon my Returne from Boston in New England in October IGSO where I had
beene to waite on my Lord Culpepper who had written to mee from thence, I found M' Lewin
arrived att New Yorke who delivered mee His Roy" Highn' Letters and shewed mee his
Comission (but not his Instruccons) whereupon I imediately expressed my readyness to cause
all due Obedience to be given thereunto and summoned the Councill to meete the same
morning and acquainted them with His Roy" Highness Comands & my readyness to repaire
home, and caused M'' Lewin's Comission to be read and entred in the Council booke and
likewise sent the said Comission to the Co" of IMayo'' and Aldermen to be entred in the Citty
Records, and observed accordingly) And the same day ordered copyes to be prepared tor all
other Jurisdiccons of the Governm' And upon jM"' Lewin's instant urgency (tho' without
president) the s'' Comission was further published att New Yorke by ring of Bell, and if itt were
nott complyed w"" by all concerned I doubt not but all the Magistrates as well as my seife would
have been ready to doe their duty upon any due Complaint or Notice as well after as during my
stay there, and I know noe cause of his Refleccons in the s** Article nor doe I remember his
alleadged discourse w"" Capt. Dyre or mee. Butt sometime after my first arrivall att New Yorke
I desired and directed Duplicates of all Entryes (being first Examined and signed by the
principall Officers of the Customes) to be dayly sent to the fort for his Itoy" Highn' service (but
the Custome house Officers notwithstanding were not the less accomptable) which duplicates
were not asked for 'till long after my comeing thence home ; And w"' Submission the s"*
duplicates ought neither to have been demanded nor delivered to the said INI" Lewin (except for

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 309

penisall & to compare them w"" the Custome house hookes & Vouchers W^** as I am inforaied
hee liath gotten and kept from the sworne Officers tho' they were their Discharges or Warr" as
well as Checks upon each other. But this relates to the Custome house Offic".

To the S""* The booke of I'atents and all other publicke Records kept in the Secretary's
Office might alwaies bee seene, and Copyes had of the same by any persons w'^''soever concerned.
But I doe not apprehend the Secrary or Clarke had power to dispose of any bookes or Records
out of the Office, and if hee or any other had been wanting in their duty or guilty of any ill
practice as is suggested they ought to have been forthwith complained of and Censured : But if
faulty it was since my comeing thence.

To the 3"* The first part of this Article consists only of Refleccons upon my Predecesso"

M'' Archer's and all other quitt rents have been from time to time accompted to his Roy"
Highn= as p sd Acco"

Noe Patents have been altered or changed in my time but att the Request of the owners, or
by verdict & Judgm' or according to Lawe, To w'*" any persons who thought themselves
injured might have recourse, and the Instances of Patishall & Cornwell are wholly misrep''sented.

M" Levvin refused to shew mee his Instruccons by his Comission hee is to act by all good &
reasonable wayes and meanes relating to tiie Revenue and Trade, But his constant practice
hath been farr different, hee first declaring that I was never to returne, and himselfe sent (as
with a Si quis) to heare grievances and Complaints against mee, and thereupon invited and
incouraged all the malecontents (with whom he most kept company) to bring in their luformacons
w'^ he clandestinely tooke ag' mee and still conceales the same.

If any persons since my coming away haue been faulty or wanting in their duty they ought
to have been complained of & punished.

To the 4"" The Revenues of New Yorke of Houses, Wharfage, Dockage &'' hath been
ordered & managed by the Magistrates & officers of y° s"* Citty (as their owne) and Imployed
to the great benefitt & Iniprouem' thereof, particularly in making the Harbo"' or Mold, The
voluntary contributions of Stockadoes or Timber by the North or West Riding on Long Island,
or any others for the s'' harbour were likewise soe reced and Imployed, and an Acco' thereof
kept by the Magistrates as may appeare if questioned though not his Roy" Highn" Revenue,
and the said worke proved of very great advantage to the whole Countrey, and particularly to
his Royall Highn' by the encouragem' and benefitt of the Trade, and my furthering the s"*
worke my duty, and I thought commendable.

I know of noe rate or contribucon w'soever belonging to His Roy" Highn' in any part of the
Governm' but hath been accompted for, and the Acco"' thereof transmitted to his Roy" Highn'
from time to time. What hee meanes by Abstracts, Atfid'^ or Accompts in this & severall
other Articles menconed I doe not understand, having never seen any such.

To the 5"'. The profitts of the wey-house have constantly increased 'till my comeing thence
as p my generall Acco' transmitted home from time to time.

To the 6"' The publique Revenues of Excise in the severall parts where they are have been
collected or ffiirmed upon mature deliberacon & advice, w-^"" have improved and increased every
where, and have been alwayes appropriated to his Roy" Highn* use, & haue been accompted for
accordingly, as by my severall generall Acco" sent home from time to time.

A ffarmer cannot be insolvent unless by default of the Secrary or Vandumaster who is the
p'son that letts to ffarme, and is obliged to take security or becomes lyable himselfe, and ought
not too bee imputed to mee acting to the best of my understanding.

3i0 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

I haue constantly endeavoured to procure all paym'^ when due and alwaies kept Acco" of the
arrearcs thereof W'' are deliver'd to my Leiv' the p''sent otfic'" there, and 1 do not conceive
my selfe chargeahle w"" any more then what I have reced.

To the 7"^ The Rates, fees and other Revenues of Long Island hath been constantly reced
& disposed by the High Sherifte for the Countryes use (as their owne) and the Court Charges
&•= ahvaies defraied by him (who is the proper officer) as in my Predecesso" time, whose
methods I am commanded to follow, and I conceive is lesse chargeable & more creditable, then
particular allowances to the Justices : I have often called upon the High Sheriffs to make their
Acco'' att the several] Cc'' of Assizes w''» hath been done accordingly.

Most of Staten Island is lately settled as is acknowledged by M'' Lewin in his 3'''' Article,
And if any Quitt rents are in arreares it is not by my neglect, having been demanded, and the
inhabitants tho' still poore are now better able to pay then form''ly having Improved their
Lands, w"^'' Island being well inhabited will be of great advantage & security to tiie Countrey
in respect of its situaccon att the entrance or mouth of the River to New Yorke.

To the S"" If Delaware or Long Island Rates have been misapplyed or needless debts made.
The high Sheriffe or Magistrates ought to be responsible to the Inhabitants. They being noe
part of his Roy" Highn^ Revenue.

Pole Money in Long Island is included in the Countrey Rates, and the whole Rates (as the
Countrey is) lately much improved but still applyed as in the foregoing article.

To the O"" All persons might have free recourse to the Records of New Yorke, & Copyes
thereof on all occasions. But I know noe Authority the Clerke had to part w"" any Records
out of the Office, And if the Clerke did not doe his duty M"' Lewin ought to have complained
of him. But this and many other things conteyned in M'' Lewin's Report relate to other persons,
and what was done there since my comeinge thence.

To the 10"' The Customes were to be ad valorem (except Liif" and Bevers particularly
specifyed by his Roy" Highn' establishm') and the Merchants Goods being first valued (upon
their Entryes) by the Custome house Offic" the merch' paid his Customes in money, bever or
goods att his choice, and if any difterence did arise betwixt the Custome house Officers and the
Merch' the same was determinable by the ordinary Jurisdiccon of the place as all other matters
were.

I appointed men of knowne reputacon and abilityes upon Oath to be Audito'"' on his Roy"
Highn' behalfe as by the annexed Copy of their authority, who examined and signed all Acco'*
of all Receipts & disbursem" w'soever w*^"" were from time to time transmitted to his Roy"
Highn' and I never knew of any such ill practice as suggested and alwaies understood the debts
of Capt. Dyre were for his Roy" Highn' Cargo and Customes trusted out by him tho' without
order, and therefore charged to his proper Acco'

1 did by advice (as necessary for his Roy" Highn" service) add a Comptrollo"' to the Custome
House Offic" All such officers viz' Collecto"' Comptroller Surveyo' and Searcher act by distinct
Comissions or Warr" on their respective oathes (as also the Clarke) and were as checke
on each oth(>r, whereof the Collecto"' Comissionated by His Roy" Higlm* himselfe, and if they
or any of them sulU-red any thing to be imported or exported contrary to Lawe his Roy" H'
Establishm' or their res|)ective dutyes they are chargeable there™"' but I never knew of any
such practices, And if fHlkin the Custome house Searcher have been discovered to be guilty of
any such it is since my coming thence, and bee ought to have been complained of, secured and
punished for the same ; I have often minded the Custome house Officers of doing their duty,
and for their l)etter incouragem' given them my share of all seisures.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. gH

The roome over tlie Custome house was ever used by all my Predecesso" as a Granary or
store roome and soe continued since the sale of his Roy" Higlm' Cargoe, and the Cellar left to
the Collecto"' as formerly for his Roy" Highn' service.

To the ll"" This is a very odd Article (built only on hear saycs & idle discourses) w'^'"
concemes the Custome house Offic" who I doubt not are able to give it an Answ"'

To the 12*^ Very few whales have been droven on shoare but what have been killed &
claymed by the Whalers, And if not proved theires then claimed by the Indian Natives or
Christians clayming the shores in the said Indians right, and tho' I have not been wanting in
my endeavours I never could recover an}- part thereof for his Roy" Highn'

To the IS"" I wonder AP Lewin should report That noe certaine Acco' was kept of Sliipps
comeing in, and out att New Yorke it being altogether untrue. But this Article relates to the
Custome house officers who I doubt not can give it a good answer.

To the 14"" Upon M'' Lewin's arrivall att New Yorke I did desire his examineing and
auditeing of all my Acco"^ relateing to his Roy" Highn^ and offered to supply him w"^ full power
and Authority soe to doe (but refused to part with them out of ray own hands till transcribed)
w'^'' hee excused and totally refused, whereupon I appointed Audito" authorized as aforesaid
w"" whom himselfe p'^sent their first day of their Auditt, and was desired to bee so alwaies,
And when the Audite was past I delivered him the whole bookes of Acco" w'^'" were not
delivered back to mee 'till a little before my comeing away, wlien hee said he had done w""
them, and had hee desired it hee might have had etitjctuall Answ" & Acco"^ in every particular
in a shorter time then I was necessitated to stay after his arrivall being 10 weekes.

The Dutch having built and fitted an Amiory over the kitchen as tiie most proper room in
the ffort, it proved extraordinary leaky and too rotten to bee repaired as was found by survey,
whereupon I was forced to remove the armes to the garrett over the sould" Quarters, and to
avoid charge pulled dowai both armory and kitchen, making up a shedd to serve for kitchen &
Hall. But al'terwards finding the Armes could not be well kept in the Garrett by reason of
smoake from the souldiers roomes and moysture from the Tyles both being unceiled, I did
resolve upon rebuilding the Armory, Of which the walls of the Church, of the great house, of
stair case and of the ffort made the greatest part of the stone work, w"^ hath brought the
kitchen againe to what it was, And the Armory (being the only that is in those parts) is a
worke absolutely necessary in the ffort, where I left above six hundred good amies fixt and in
good order, and place for more.

The taking the Tyles off the great house and shingleing it, was in imitacon of what was done
to the Church by the Inhabitants in my Predecesso" time to prevent Leakage by reason the
Tyles were usually broken when the Gunns were fired ; The Tyles paying for the shingleing.

The house was soe leaky tho' lately built and never finished by Gov'' Lovelace that the staires
and some roomes were quite rotten, and soe of necesity to be repaired.

Some of the platt formes being in decay were new made during ni}^ former voyage to England,
but were ordered and part of the materialls for the same, and for some new Carriages for the
gunns were brought upon the place before my comeing away. But Lieut. Brockholes in my
absence not observing my direccons left w"" him makeing shipp instead of Land Carriages for
the gunns, & bu3nng stockadoes to sett round the ffort, w"" other Expences contrary and without
order as afores"* occasioned an extraordinary charge, w'^'' ought to be laid att his dore and not
at mine.

312' NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

The ffive bouses' or Old hospital! in the towne, in w'"' offic," also used to be lodged for want
roome in the fort being yearly chargeable & of little use, and upon a Survey found too old &
I'otten to be repaired I caused it and the ground to be appraised & then pulled downie, and brought
the materialls into the tlbrt for the rebuilding of a like old bouse designed to be built by all my
predecesso" w"^"" is rebuilt accordingly and therein made very convenient Lodgings for the Officers
& Secretary &" which was before very much wanted.

The ground of the hospitall and a little part of the streete by consent of the Towne was
appraised at 200'' & sold in 4 lotts. As to what is objected concerning Coll Morris having
offered 300" I remember nothing of it but acted herein for his Roy" Highn^ best advantage.

The Tyles sold are accompted for, but doe not remember any sold to Leiv' Brockholes att
my comeing thence, but bee complained of having a bard bargaine in one of the s'' 4 lotts or
Ground plotts tho' hee had his choice.

The streete was the tovvnes and sold by them to their own use.

I have ever since my being att New Yorke endeavoured the best husbandry and never made
any unnecessary charge, And my paym'' to all sorts of workmen (being the best in the Countrey)
were not in Rum as objected, but the best sort of pay there whereby I often had workemen att
imder Rates, viz' at 2' when others paid 6 pence per day more.

As to what is meant by Incident charges Indians &'^ being crowded in by wholesale for
ballance into my Accompts I doe not well understand. All my Receipts & Disbursem" even
as to the smallest Sume having been exactly audited & signed as afores'' before transmitted
hither.

The Countrey and revenue are see improved since my being there that it hath for these late
yeares countervailed & paid t)ie whole charge ordinary and extraordinary as New Buildings,
wey house &'^ and put the fibrtificacons & all relateing thereunto into a better condicon then ever
heretofore paid debts & att my late comeing away left an overplus as by my last general Acco'
of Recei[)ts & Disljursni" brought by mee and in the Audito'* hands since the beginning of
March last.

That part of the Article W'' hee says referrs to my Acco'^ ending in Jan"''' 167S and is
answered by itselfe, I doe not understand what is meant by it, nor have I scene any of the soe
often menconed Acco'* Al)stracts or Affid" . But still pray the ettiects & benefitt of his Roy"
Highn' orders of the 4"' of Aprill that neither my selfe nor any of the magistrates or Offic" of
New Yorke may long'' lie under the pressures of unknow-ne pretended Crimes or Imputacons.
And the rather finding my actings there as to Repaires, Rebuildings &' in & about the fort
reflected upon things generally left to the discrecon of an ordinary steward.

To the 15"" This is an imputacon as strange as untrue & formed upon hear sayes of
Connivances, practices, threats, usages, deceipts, abuses, breach of Acts of Navigacon, want of
Justice, and generall refleccons upon mee and the whole Governm' und'' his Roy" Highn^ firom
whence Appeales lye hither, but none such brought or other complaint made that ever I heard
of, 'till my last arrivall here.

M'' ffredricke phillips and Capt. Cortland are ver}^ eminent men there, & were heretofore
magistrates of tlu; Citty ; & were since taken into the Councill, of w"^'' they still are, and well

' The quarter "knowne by the name of the ground of the five howses," was situated between Stoney street and Bridge
street, New- York. It was surveyed into four lots (two on Stoney and two on Bridge streets,) on 2nd December, 1680, for
Captain Buockholes, John Darvall, Stephen Courtland, and PiiiLir Wells. The description of the Survey, with draught
of tlie several lots, is in the Secretary's Office ; Land Papers, I. 179. — Kd.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 313

deserve to bee, but neitlier of tliem or any others vv'soever was ever particularly countenanced
more then they justly deserved, equall justice and countenance being given to all the inhabitants,
merchants, sojourners, Traders or Strangers, without respect of persons, nation or quality
w'soever.

At my first comeing to New Yorke I found the place poore, unsettled & without Trade,
except a few small coasters, hardly any went or came from beyond Seas, and several! parts of
tlie Covernm' never before well subjected under his Roy" H' since w"^*" by his Roy" Highn'
favour greatly increased in people, trade, buildings, & other Improvem'^ New Tovvnes &
Settlem" lately built, and the Colony improved in all other advantages beyond any of our
Neighbours. A mold or harbour made to the Citty of generall advantage as afores"* A market
house (the only one in all those parts) & now constantly well supplyed, and the Navigacon
increased att least tenn tymes to what it was, and plenty of money (hardly seen there before)
and of all sorts of goods att reasonable rates for our owne and Neighbo" supplyes, and noe
disaster happened in any part of the Governm' during my command there, tho' constantly
serviceable to our English Neighbo" both East & West who suffered much by the Indian Warr,
In the composeing whereof I was a principall instrum' and also freed neare one hundred of
their Captives. &"

I doe not know that any have been discouraged from going to Trade or settle att New Yorke,
but many hundreds (I may say thousands) have actually come traded and settled, and very
few (if any) have quitted the place during my being there.

After W^ Lewin's arrivall I did often desire him to advise mee if any thing for his Roy"
Higiui' or Countreys service was wanting and in my power before I came away. And also
sunmioned all the Justices or Magistrates of the Countrey to New Yorke (w"^"" could be had in
soe short a time and att that season of the yeare) who all certified the good state of their
severall parts or Countreyes, And with my Councill (M'' Lewin being then present) advised the
continuing all as then settled which was soe ordered and left by mee at my comeing away.

Lastly, I answer to the whole report, I doe find all the Imputacons upon my selfe to be
totally untrue, and deny every part thereof, Humbly submitting to consideracon whether the
matter thereof be not a consequence of former practices und"' pretence of his Roy" Highn*
service against the Authority there to overthrow his Royall Highn' Revenue and Authority, in
the s'' parts. Which was effected during M' Lewin's being upon the place and after my being
commanded thence & returne home, as may appeare upon due examiuacon. But if any thing
in M'' Lewin's Report w^*" is expected to be answered to by mee, and is not here particularly
answered, I desire it may be recharged. And I will give it an Answer, haveing evaded nothing
wilfully. And as to my Acco" they are all before His Roy" Highness transmitted from time to
time, examined, auditted and signed by swome Audito" of the best reputacon upon the place,
As by the 10 & 14"' answers. But if any objeccons or Doubts remaine, I am still ready to
subject them to the greatest scratiny his Roy" Highn' shall thinke fitt not doubting his Roy"
Highn' Justice and my owne vindicacon.

London 31° Decembr. 1681 :

Vol. III. 40

314 , NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Report to the CominiS'Sioner.s of tlie Duhe of YorJc'.s lievemie.

[Xew-Vork Papers, I. 2TS. ]

To the R' Hon''''' The Lords & others Com" of his Roy ' Highness Revenue.

In pursuance to the directions of tliis Board wee haue seu^all times met &
heard M^ Levvin, S"' Edmond Andross & Capt. Dyre upon y" subject matter
of M" Lewin's particuler Answ'' to his Instructions from his Royall Higlmess
to inquire into the managem' of affaires in rsevv York, and wee find y*
particulers w"'' rehite to S'' Edm : Andross & w'^'^ AP Lewin did produce
sev" psons to proue & make out are as foUowetii.

fhrst. That S"' Edm : Andross did of liis own authority tax y'^ Inhabit" of New York to the
building of the Mold, & the Inhabit" of Long Island to find Stockadoes & produced M' Robinson,
M' JNicholls, M' Clarke & M'' Charleton who did proue that there was a Tax imposed for that
Service, but whether the same was imposed by S"" Edmond or by him Sc Councill or by consent
of the Mayor, Aldermen ik," they do not know but all the said p'sons say It was a good &
necessary work and y' Mayor & Aldermen reced y'' mony & managed the work, and Long
Island contributed Stockadoes upon trust for W'' they have been in a great measure payd out of
the said Tax, S"' Edmond answ" that this was done by the geu" consent of all the inhabitants &
never complained of that he heard of.

2'"^ That S'' Edmond did force some pson wiio had patents for planting & Lands granted
accordingly to resign their grants & Capt. Nichols did proue that one Partishall wlio had such
grant had liis ship stopped in 1(377 untill he & one Thatcher had resigned that grant.

To this S'' Edm : Andross answ" & so Capt. Nichols agreed that the reason was because
Patishall did not improue within y' time directed & condicon of their grant & so ought to be
made voyd, and it was since granted to others who haue planted and improued the same, & it
was for tiie advantage of his Royall Highness & no profit to H' Edmond.

3*"^ That the Governor did so influence & overcome the Councill that none of them durst
contradict him.

This was not otherwise made out tlien that y* Mayor & M'' Devall told one of the witnesses
so nor that any ill Consequence attended it.

4iiiiy That the Governo'' gaue directions to one ffallvin who is head Searciier not to be too
strict what goods came to flix-derick riiillips but to be very strict in searching what goods came
to Pinhorn & Robinson & to giue tiiem all y*" obstructions he could in y« entryes. All the
proof to make out this was ISP Robinson & one Edw : Antill who said that ffilkiu told them
that the Governor had giuen such order.

S' Edm : Andross denyed that he gaue any such order Sc further said that fRlkiu is an Officer
sworn to do justly in his Office & so not likely to be so imposed upon :

gthiy That y" Govern"' obstructed y* trade, encouraged the Dutch & connived at bringing in
contraband Goods, And told the Inhabit" that if they knew w' Lres he reced from the Duke
they would find their privileges hung but on a slender thread. •

To make out the obstruction of Trade M' Clark proues that in 1675 y* Gov'' took Bread from
on board a ship W^"" he had sold to a Merch' & forced the baker of whom the same was bought
to take it back again, w"'' was answered & made out that the Merch' complained that the Bread

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 315

was not Merchantable & thereupon it was examined & found defective, and y« Govern'' &
Councill obliged the Baker to take his Bread again & make good to the Merch" good and sweat
bread, and it concernes the trade of the place not to suffer defectiue Bread to shipped off
because Bread is a great part of y"'' trade abroad.

As to the later part of the Article M"' Antill says that in June 1678 Capt Cartret was tryed
for a Royot & one Jackson a Juryman occasionally speaking to the Govern'' said that he hoped
they had the same Privileges as the other Plantations, The Gover'' answered that their
Privileges hung on a slender thread & that he was chidden for giving them such liberties.

S'' Edm: Andross utterly denies he ever spoke any such words & Cap' Nicholls declared he
was present all the time at that Court and was Sec''y & did not hear any words to that purpose.

Cap' D}Te saies he also was present at the same Court all y' while & heard not any word from
the Govern'' to any such purpose, It was further proved by M'" Robinson that he entred goods to
the value of 100' in 1G7S. for Albany and payd the Custom & that he could not be permitted to
sell them either by whole sale or retayle, & that Leviston y' Town Clark of Albany said that
the Govern'' had given such order and y' he afterwards demanded of the Governor if he brought
the goods back whether he should receive back his Customes w'^'' the Governo'' did refuse to
agree unto.

But as to this Cap' Dyre affirmes there are standing rules or orders that no Stranger shall
retayle any goods in Albany, and Cap' Nicholls sayes that he drew the order in Aug" 167S the
same day the Govern'' landed from England, & that the order was in usunll form but he heard
they at Albany did not execute the order as the}- ought to do.

G"''5" That sev" ffines \\"^ were imposed upon sev" persons & ought to come to his Roy"
Highness were directed to be employed towards building of a Church & that S'' Edm : Andross
had 200" in his hands, & M' Antill said he heard the Go\'erno'' owned that he had about 200"
thereof To this the Governor answers that he made no such order but it was the order of the
Mayor and Aldermen & they had y' benefitt of those ffines. That lie never reed a penny of
that mony but the Town appointed a Trear to receiue y*" same, and the Sheriff who levied some
part haue paid the same to the Trear of the Town.

Cap' Dyer said that part is uncollected but whatever has been Leavied was done by y* sheriff
& payd to the Trear of the Town & no part to the Governo'' and that he had ye Trears ace'
here and the Governo'' out of his own mony gaue 50' towards that work.

7ibiy_ That y Commissaries who came w"' a peticon from Albany & Esopus for to continue
sev" bolting mills were fined. This matter of the Bolting Mills is under y' inspection of the
Government & but a certaine number allowed. The Pef'' against the established Law have
erected more w"'out leaue w'^'" being a Contempt & the persons who came down guilty of it
they were fined by y' court for their misdemeanours but the ffine was never levyed.

gti.iy_ That the Govern'' committed Tewdor for demanding a Jury to try his cause. This
S"" Edm : Andross denies & there is no proof to make the charge good ; soe that as the matter
appeares upon these particidars wee do not think it is made out that the Govern"' hath
niisbehaued himself or broken y'' trust reposed in him by his Roy" Highness in y* administracon
of his Governm' nor doth it appear that he hath any way defrauded or mismanaged his Revenue
(as the Merch" that first gave iutiniacon to his Royall Highness did affiruie.)

21Q NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And as to the objection ag" Capt. Dyre who is his Royall Highness his Collector
of the Customes at New York they are as followeth.

It was objected by M"" Lewin that there was an En-or of 28" to the dukes prejudice by taking
some Leafe or Leaues out of his Journall. But upon examinacon of y^ Book & M' Rodesby
who writ y said ace' in the said book It did appear y^ Book was right & the same summ was
charged in seu" particulars tho' not in a grost sum.

2'""y It was objected y' Cap' Dyre made one Walker pay Custome for goods w'^ came from
England & went for New Jersey which he ought not to do.

To this Cap' Dyre answers that he did & ought to do so & that not only to Walker but all
other ships which came for New Jersey, New York being y^ only port & doth account for the
same to his Roy" Highness.

3. That Cap' Dyre takes y' custome for Beavers in specie but refuse to take them by tale
but expects them by weight which is a prejudice to y'' Merch" & when he takes money for
Custome he will haue none but weighty money.

Cap' Dyre acknowledges he does soe & the same are so carryed to his Highness' account &
if he should not take that care his Highness would be greatly injured both in the goods and
money.

4'5' It was objected that Cap' Dyre took 7^ per cent for Custome whereas he ought to take
but 5' per Cent (viz) 2 per cent inwards and 3 per cent up the river &.he takes 3 per Cent inwards
and 4.^ up the Riuer.

To this it was answered that the Merch' would enter goods as of the value of 100' w'^'" really
were worth 150" so he took the Customes at the real value, & at no more than 5" per Cent for
the real value, that is 2 per cent, inwards & 3 per Cent up the Riuer. So y' we do not find
Cap' Dyre has done anything amiss in the particulars above menconed, And we haue reason
to believe that both S'' Edmond and Cap' Dyre have behaved themselues very well in their
sev" stations in regard M'' Lewin has really been very industrious in gaining the best Informacon
could be had of what was objected or pretended by any of the Inhabitants ag^' y* Governor &
Cap' Dyre as well in relation to y^ Governra' as Revenue of his Roy" Highness. All w'^'" we

submitt to yo"' further consideracon.

J. Churchill.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. - ; 317

Sir John Werden to Lieutenant Brocklioles.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 8S. ]

S' James's 11 Feb^. (8^)
Sir.

His Roy" H» Com" have by his ord" had divers meetings of late touching the state of affaires
at NevF York, and are as fast as they can prepareing all mings for y' next opportunity ; but by
reason of his R" H' being in Scotland and y' suddenesse of y'= ships departure, I am directed to
write this letter to you at p''sent, to desire you to take y' best care you can (in y'' interim) to
keep all things within y' governem' of New York and its dependencyes in quiet and good ord''
especially y' the soldiers may behave y"selves discreetly, that y"* civil Magistrates may have
their legall authority pserved and y' all sorts of people may enjoy their rights and propertyes.
And though I cannot yet possitively assure you y' it will be soe, yet I may hint to you y' we
believe his R" H' will condescend to y'= desires of y' Colony in granting y"" equall priviledges,
in chooseing an Assembly k," as y* other English plantations in America have. But if y' be it
will be upon a supposition y' the Inhabitants will agree to rayse money, to discharge y*^ publique
debts, and to settle such a fond for y* future, as may be sufficient for the maintenance of y*
guarrison and governem' Wherefore you are privately to sound y" inclinacons of the principall
inhabitants there, upon y' great point, and if you find y"" willing to give any assurance of their
readyness therein you must y" endeavour to get some overtures of y" methods of rayseing such
money and fond for y'= future, and a certificacon of such their consent und"' y" hands of the most
eminent persons for abilityes & estates in tliose parts ; and whatsoever you doe herein or in any
other particular y' relates to His R" H' seiTice, you are constantly by every opportunity, to send
an ace' of it to me, for y* cleerer and fuller informacou of his R" H* and his Coni''^ And y' is
all at p'sent from k."

For L' Brockholes, Comander

in Cheife at N Yorke. ••,

Dvlce of Yorh to Limitenant Bvockliole-'i.

[New- York Entries, CH. 88.]

Newmarkett 2S March (82)
Lieutenant Brockholes.

Since my arrivall here I have had an ace' of y' result of divers meetings of my Com"
touching y* state of affayres at New Yorke, but untill I come to London (w'"" I doubt will not
be till this ship is sailed), I cannot perfect those resolucons w'"" I shall take thereupon ; only
for y* p"^sent, in confirmacon of w' my Sec'''' lately wrote to you I send y' to tell you that I
intend to establish such a forme of governem' at New Yorke as shall have all y' advantages &
priviledges to y' inhabitants & traders there, w'*" His Ma" other plantacons in America doe
enjoy, particularly in y' chooseing of an Assembly, and in all other things as nere as may be

gjg NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

agreable to y' laws of England. But y" I sliall expect y' the Countrey of New Yorke and its
Dependencyes shall provide some certaine fonds for y^ necessary support of y* govemem' and
garrison, and for dischargeing y^ arreares w'^'' are or shalbe incurred since y" obstruccons y'
have lately beene to the collection of y" publique revenue there. Wherefore you are to use all
dilligence to induce y" people there of best note and estates, to dispose y" selves and their
freinds to a cbeerfuU complyance in this point, and you may assure y" y' w' soever shalbe
thus raysed, shalbe applyed to those publique uses. For I seeke y' common good and
protection of y' countrey and y'' increase of their trade, before my advantages to niyselfe in
y' matter. By the next shipping I intend you shall heare further from mee. I am &'^

To L' Brockholes &'

Petliion of Mr. William Dyer.

[New-York Papers, I. 235.]

To the Kixg's most Excellent Ma'>' and the Right Hon'^'^ the Lords of His jNIa" most Hono'"''
Priv}? Council!

The humble Petition of William Dyre Gent. Collecto'' of His Royall Highnesse
Customes, one of the Governo" Councill and Mayo'' of yo' Ma" Citty of
New Yorke in America, tfec"

Shewcth

That Your Ma'^'* Pef being comissionated b}- His Koyall Highness James Duke of Yorke
and Albany the 2'^ of July 1674 to be his Highnes' Collector and Receiver of all his Dues and
profitts arising by his Customes at New Yorke and Dependencies according to the Rates and
Establishments made as by the said Comission may and doth appeare, In which Station and
Employm' yo'" Ma'^"' Pef continued quietly to [do] his Duty till the 9"' of May ICSI when severall
Merchants ffactors mutinous and disturbant to the Peace of the Government refuseing to pay
their usuall Customes, & yo'' Pef asserting and requiring the same as formerly, was (by one
Sam: Winder an idle seditious person, prompt and abetted by the aforesaid ftiictiou, injustly
and malitiously taxt with High Treason for receiving the said Customes without any Act of
Parliam' to Justifie the same, Whereupon yo'' Pef soon after was violently seized and
committed close Prisoner without Baile, by the Commander of New Yorke, to the total! Ruine
of His Royall Higlmesses Revenues — the great disquiett of the Governm' and yo""' Pef" utter
undoing in name & Estate, being forceably snatcli'd from liis Hono''''' and profitable Imployments
& ffamily, arraigned & tryed for liis life, and sent liither a Prisoner to be furtlier proceeded
against as yo"' Ma'> and Councill shall direct, and being iieard the li"' of Sepf last before this
Hono'''' Board was enlaiged upon Security, and hath ever since continued and attended in
expectation that his Accuser (vv-ho, since his arrival! here, for many villainous actions is fled)
sliould appeare and prosecute liis charge, and that yo' Pef might haue been tryed and, if
guilty, punished, or otherwise acquitted from the scandal! of soe hateful! and detestable a

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. gig.

Crime, of which yo"' Ma" Per was never tardj^ but in all loj-nlty and fidelity hath served yo'
Ma'*' and his Royall Highness beyond sea in sundry capacities for many years and is still ready
to doe the same with his life and ffortune.

Wherefor yo^ Ma*^ Pef in all humble manner prayes That Yo'' Ma'^ will be graciously
pleased to take Yo" Pef" severe case and ill usage into yo" Princely cousideracon, and of yo'
great Justice and Clemency acquitt him from the vile and destructive imputation he hath so
long and Innocently suffered under by those his Malitious, Slanderous, and injurious Accusers
confederating ag' the life of yo"" Pet" and proceeding in a mutinous illegail manner. And that
yo"" Pef* Bond may be delivered up, and he discharged and sett att liberty to seeke Reparacon
by due course of Law ag» them that haue wronged, abused and ruined yo" Pet" or otherwise as
yo" Ma'y in yo" infinite wisedome shall think fitt. And yo" Pet" (as in duty bound) shall ever
I'rav. &=

Order referring the preceding Petition to the Lords of Trade.

[ New-Tork Papers, I. 235. ]

At the Court at Whitehall the 2%''^ of June 16S2.

By the Kings most Excellent Ma'^' and y« Lords of his Ma'^" most Hono"*
Privy Councill.

Upon reading this day at the Board the humble Petition of William Dyre Gent, Collector of
His Royall Highnes' Customes one of the Governor's Councill and Mayor of His Ma"' Citty of
New Yorke in America. Complayning of the hard and severe usage he hath met with from the
severall Factors in that Place, who refusing to pay their usuall Customes to his said R"
Highness, Did upon the Pet"' requiring and asserting the same tax him of High Treason for
receiuing the said Customes without an Act of Parliament to justify it, and afterwards caused
him to be committed close Prisn" without Bayle, tryed and arraigned for his life, and sent
hither to be further proceeded against. All which tending to his utter mine, and his accuser
(who since his arrivall here for many villainous Actions is fled) not appeareing to prosecute Jiis
charge, The Pet" most humbly prayed to be acquitted, and left at liberty to seeke reparation
by due course of law against his malicious and injurious accusers. It was Ordered by his
Ma'^ in Councill That it be and it is hereby referred to the R' Hono"'^ The Lords of the
Committee for Trade and Plantations to examine and consider of this matter, And to do
thereupon as they shall think just & reasonable.

John Nicholas.

Endorsed

Reel 6"" July 1682 ' -.,'.,.

Read y 21 June 82. _ . ,

320 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order in Council on the 7'eference concerning Captain William Dyer.

[ Mew-York Entries, I. 5i. ]

At the Court at Hampton Court tlie third of August 16S2.

Present — The Kings most Excell' Ma"'

ill Council.

Upon reading a Report from y*' Lords of tlie Committee of Trade and fforeign
Plantations in y' words following.

May it please Yo^ Ma^v

Wee have considered the Peticon of Capt. William Dyer Referred unto as by an Order in
Council and doe find that hee was on the 31"' of May IGSl accused in New York by one Sam.
Winder of High Treason in levying Customes within the Province of New York, and that being
sent over hither some time past, by the Court of Assizes in that place in Order to his tryal, the
said Sam : Winder had entered into a Recognizance of ffive thousand pounds to prosecute him.
That hee being accordingly arrived in England and attending Your Ma"* gaue bond for his
appearance when hee should bee summoned. In pursuance whereof having long expected the
prosecution of the said Winder without any efliect, though it bee certain that the said Winder
was lately in England ; the pef humbly beseeches Your Ma'>' that hee ma)^ bee at length freed
of the Obligation of his bond, and left at liberty to take his course at law against the said
Winder for his malicious accusation whereby hee is brought to ruine. This being y" Case and
humble desires of the pef wee see noe reason why your Ma"' may not, for his releif, direct an
advertisement to bee put into the Gazet and to bee published upon the Royal Exchange, as alsoe
notice hereof to bee sent to the Mayor of Southampton where the said Winder is said to have
lately been, summoning him to appear one month at furthest and to give good security to
prosecute the pef at the next Term, in default whereof Your Ma'^ may please to order that the
pet" Bond may bee delivered up to him, to th'end hee may take his remedy at Law against the
said Winder in New York or elsewhere as hee shall think fitt. All w'^'' is most humbly
submitted. Whitehall 21. July 16S2

ARLiNGfTON Craven

Bathe Fauconberg

His Maf in Council approving the said Report is this day pleased to Order, And It is hereby
Ordered that all such necessary orders and directions as are mentioned in the Report in behalf
of the Pef bee pursued accordingly

Phi : lloyd.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. BM.

Report di-'ivJutrgtng Mr. I)yre from the Accu.satio)i against him.

[ Xew-York Entries, I. 55. ]

30 Sept: 16S2
Mem''"'" Captain William Dyre having complyed with the Order of Council dated the S"* of
August last in reference to Samuel Winder by whom hee has been accused at New York of high
Treason for levying of Customes there. And the said Winder having not, since that time,
made his appearance in order to a prosecution ; the Lords of the Committee of Plantacons are
luinilily of opinion, That the Bond wherein the said Capt Dyre stands bound for his appearance
at the Council Board may bee now delivered up to him, to th'end hee may take his Remedy at
Law against the said Winder at New York or elsewhere, as liee shall thinke fitt.

Read in Council 26 Octob 1GS2.

Ireaty of Peace hetwetn Maryland and the Five Jroquoi.s JVaiions.

[New- York Papera, I. 255.]

The Propositions of the Hon'' Coll: Henry Coursey & Coll. Philemon Lloyd
Commissionate p the R" Hon''''" Charles Lord Baron of Baltimore & Proprie-
tary of ]NLaryland in behalf of all His Ma'-*' Subjects in Virginia &; Maryland,
to the Nation of Indians called Sinodowannes als Sinekes, at the Court
House of Albany Aug" the 3 Anno Domini 16S2.

i^KETHREN

Wee are come here from the R' Hono'''' the L'' Proprietary of Maryland to treat with the
Macquiss. the Oneydes, the Onnondages & Cojages about the seii" mischeifs done to us this
last summer in Maryland & Virginia by some of their Indians, but wee are very glad wee haue
noe such thing, to say to you, But on the contrary do acknowledge that you haue faithfully
kept and obserued the Peace made p Coll. Coursey, both towards us and all our tfreind Indians,
and wee do assure you that wee look upon you & esteem j'ou as our best freind for that you
only kept your Indians at home from joining with the other nations to do us any spoiles or
Mischeifes for W^"" wee not only thank you, but do now renew our former Peace made w"' you
p Coll. Coursey, & desire that the chain of ifreiudship may never rust or decay.

Wee doe iet you know tiiat wee haue seen the Propositions you last made to the Commissaries
of this town, W^"* wee find to be just and good, and wee do desire that what Nation soever may
join together against us, or giue us cause to fall upon them, that you will not take part w"" them,
But that the league and peace made between you and us, and our ffreind Indians may never be
broken but aKvays kept fresh in our memories & our Childrens after us.

3. In Case any Indian or Indians lining amongst you shall for the future murder any
Christian or Christians in Maryland or Virginia, wee do expect that you will cause him or
them to be delivered up to the L"* Proprietary, to be dealt withall according to the Christian
Vol. III. 41

322 NEW- YORK COLONIAL ^MANUSCRIPTS.

Law, and in Case any Indian or Indians shall kill any horses, Cattle or Hoggs, or robb
or steal anything from us that you cause satisfaction to bee made to us to the full value
thereof.

4. Wee will as you haue hitherto (so that you for the future) keep peace and ffreindship w""
the Piscataway, and all other our Neighbour Indians in ffreindship with us, botii in Virginia and
Maryland, and as you haue hitherto kept back the Indians, so that you will not for the future
sutler any of your Troops to go down into our Country to disturb us, or the Piscatoway
Indian, or any other Indians, 'wee desire a Warr may not ensue, but that notice may be given
thereof, and for that end you or any of the great men of your nation may freely (and without
any fear of harm) come down to the house of Jacob Young living at the head of your Bay who
shall haue order & power given him to giue speedy notice thereof to the Lord Proprietary, so
that he may come or send Comni" to treat with you whereby a right understandi^ig may be
held betwixt you and us & all our Neighbour Indians in ffreindship with us, that the Chain
of ffreindship may be kept bright & strong, as iu this Government.

And now wee would haue you take notice that as this is the third time ^Wee haue taken this
long Journey to speak with you, so wee shall now Expect that your great men make one
Journey into the Borders of our Country to the s"* Jacob Young's house to treat with the L''
Proprietary there, wliereby he may see you & speak with j'ou, and you may hear the peace
confirmed from his own mouth, and when you appoint that you can be there wee will pray
his LordP to meet you and bring with him some of the Great men of those Indian Nations,
for whom you haue formerly made Peace, that they may renew & strengthen their Peace
themselves.

And to bind the Peace strong and fast & lasting for the Canowes, als, the Piscatowayes, We
for them give a Hank of Zewant -50 guilders.

All the Comissaries present.

The mimes of the Indian Sachnns.

Adondareicha, Speaker. Sockkadowanne ,. Soniadoway

Degonhondie Anobskaheiko ' Panotohaio.

Kaneeudodo

The Sinodowannes or Sniekes Answer to the Propositions of the Hon** Coll.
Henry Coursey & Coll. Philemon Lloyd commissionate p the R' Hon""''
Charles L"* Baltimore & L" Proprietors of Maryland on the behalf of all
His Ma" Subjects in Virginia & Maryland iu the Cour[t] House of Albany
the 3 day of August 1682.

1" We are come here with a good heart to the house of Colleir (that is the Governor) where
wee usually meet to speak and haue heard the Gentlemen of Maryland Propose, wee do Keep
our former Covenant fast & inviolable, and if it should happen that any should provoke us to

"And in ease any Christinns of Maryland or Virginia or any of our Nfigliboin- Indians murder any of your Troops or
do you any injury " — Some such passage as this seems to be omitted liere; otlierwise the sentence is incomplete. — Ed.

^ This and the following parngrapli stand in the MS., by some mistake, at the head of the document and before its title.
— Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 323

turn, we_sliall not hearken unto thein, but shall hold fast the Covenant made w"" Coll. Coursey
as well with the Christians of Maryland & Mrginia as w"" their ftreind Indians, especially the
Piscatoway or Cachnawayes, and are very glad y' the Agents haue spoke so freindly w"" us
do giue a Belt of Zewant or Peak.

2. Hearken well to us. Wee are glad that all is so well with us, and shall keep the covenant
made formerly w"" Coll. Coursey in Colliers house fast & inviolable, and do novv' renew &
confirm the same, including your fireind Indians especially tiie Piscatovvayes Indians in the
Covenant Chain with the Christians of Maryland and Virginia, and desire that the Chain of the
Covenant may never be broken but be kept clear & held fast on both sides.

That are some that haue done mischeifs in your Country but wee are not of that number
y' do giue a Belt of 16 deep.

3. The Covenant that is now renewed shall not be only fresh in our Menioryes, but in the
memories of our childrens and childreus children after us, we shall not only forbid y^ Indians of
our own Mtion but all Indians of other Nations living amongst us, to break the Covenant, or
to do any harm in yo"' Country, for if any mischeif be done by those Indians that live amongst
us, it would seem as done by ourselves, for they are under our Command & must be Obedient
and are also subject unto us : Wee haue done now and when wee do speak again wee know
the place where wee shall speak and do give a Belt of Zewant or Peak 16 deep.

The agents aforesd caused the Interpreters to ask the Indians what place they meant where
they shall speak. Ansvv'' here in this place.

This is a true Copy transcribed from the Record p mee

Rob' BiRMAX.

Present — All the Commissaries of Albany.

I Interpreted p ^l' Gerritt van Slichtenhorse & Aernout Cornelisse Vielle.

assisted p Akus Cornells former!}' an Indian.

The Propositions of the Hon'' Coll. Henry Coursey & Coll. Philemon Lloyd
Agents for Maryland from the the R' Hon'''* Charles L** Baron of Baltemore
L"" Proprietary of Maryland to the Macq', the Onnondages, the Oneydes &
the Cajouges in behalf of his Lo? aforesd and all His Ma*' Subjects of
Virginia & Maryland in the Court Yard of Albany the 4"" day of August.
An" 16S2.

Wee are come hither from tlie R' Hon'''* the L'' Proprietary of Maryland to speak w"" you ;
and first wee are commanded to tell you tliat notwithstanding y* troops haue been down in our
Countrey this last summer, and not only killed & taken Prisoners, severall of the Piscataway
Indians our ftreinds contrary to the Ai'ticles of Peace made with you by Coll. Coursey, but haue
likewise killed our Horses, Cattle, & Hoggs, robbed our Houses, and at last most cruelly killed
some of his Mat* Christian subjects whereby we were justly provoked to haue made a warr upon
you, and dispatched away our Troops into your Country to haue renenged the seuerall Misclieifs
done to us, yet o'' L"* Proprietary & great govemo'' did resolue to follow the use & Custome of
Christian nations, and that wee should first come here and acquaint their Sachims with it, and
know from you whether you do or will allow of such their wicked Actions (which if you do) you
must not expect to Hue any longer in peace or enjoy the land in quiett, but that wee shall make

324 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

warr upon you in 3'our own Country, and wee doubt not in a short time to reduce you to the
same condicon & want, as other Indian Nations that haue broke their faiths with Christians,
but if you do not allow their evill actions then wee are willing to hold & keep the peace w"' you,
expect satisfaction for the eviils done to us, according as you haue promised in your answers to
the propositions made p Coll. Coursey w"'' being performed on y' part wee are willing to renew
the former peace. .

The Answer of the Macquiss to the propositions aforesaid on the 4"' day of
Aug^' 16S2.

Wee are come here upon the message of the agents of Maryland and Virginia & are sorry
wee were not present, when you made your proposalls Yesterday to the Sinekes, and when
they gaue their answer, wee four nations are of one mind as you Christians are, wee haue
beard and understood that which you haue proposed unto us : You haue spoke of warr, let
not that come to pass, for our Indians haue been drunk in their Capacity, voyd of Understanding
and out of their sences, when they committed that evill in your country. And wee pray
that the Mischiefs done may be forgott & forgiuen : flbr if it had been done to us, wee
would haue done the like, and wee desire it may be drank down like wine and may not remain
in the heart, and to wipe off" the tears and blood that is spilt. Wee acknowledge the Covenant
made 5 years ago with Coll. Coursey, as ^also the Government made Afterwards w"" Coll
Kendall, for in our covenant w"" Corleir they of Virginia & Maryland haue put in their Jiands
as a '3'' man ; lett it nott be pulled out again, do giue 2 Belts of Peak, one for the Macquiss, and
one for the Onnondages

The Onneydoes and Cajouges answer ditto, to the Propositions aforesaid.

Wee are glad to see the Agents of Maryland & Virginia here, and haue heard and understood
that w'='' you said unto us, concerning the Eviils our Indians haue done in your Country, desire
that it may be buried in the earfli under the ground, and also to remain ftreinds & brethren as
Corleir is w"' us & to deal w"" us as he doth.

The eviils done by our young Indians in your coimtry by killing and plundering wee do not
allow of; its against our will, & are sorry for its being rashly done by our Indians, desired that
the harm done may be dugg into the ground, and do wipe off' the tears and the blood ; do give
two belts of Peak, one for the Oneydes, and another for the Cayouges.

The Agents sjioke to the Interpreters to ask them if they had done.

The Agents speak to the Interpreters to ask them whether they expected that these Belts
would wipe oft" the Blood their young men had spilt in Maryland.

Aiisw'' That these Belts were after the ff"ashion of a Pledge to the Answer of what they had
spoke to us, w''' was but a beginning to what they had further to say.

The Agents having satt a long time bid them (the Interpreters) to moue the Indians to what
further they had to say to their Propositions, and withall to acquaint them, that it was a matter
of great moment, worth their serious Consideration ; Peace or Warr might might depend upon
it, and were willing they might take more time think of itt.

Answ'' That they will go out by themselves and consider of itt.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 325

N. B. The four belts of peak were not taken up, but were left lying upon the ground & the
Indians went away.

The 5"" ditto being Satturday at 9 a clock in the morning the Indians came again in the Court
Yard, and did find the 4 Belts of Peak lying in the same place.

Akus was ordered p the Commissaries to tell the Indians Generall that they need not he
affrayd, seeing they were upon a Treaty of peace, whereupon the Indians made a great noise
according to their Custome & were satisfyed.

Odianne the Speaker of the Macquis answers.

That the Agents were the occasion of putting a stopp to the Intentions yesterday, and that
they had only made preparation w"* the aforesd Belts to come to a principall answer to their
proposition.

The Agents ask whether the Belts are delivered upon that Condition that they say, that that
w'^'' is past is without their Consent or allowance, and in Order to do a further Treaty, and shall
then take up the Belts.

Ansiv'' Yes upon that condition only.

The Agents caused the Indians further to be asked, if they would proceed w"" their Answers.

The Indians answer that they had nothing to say but only wayted for their demands.

The Agents second Proposition. . ' .

fforasmuch as wee haue understood from you this morning that the Belts of Peak w'^'" you
laid down yesterday, were only for a beginning, and to beget a right imderstandiug in order to
our further Treaty : Wee haue taken them up and for that you told us by your ans' yesterday,
That you do not countenance or allow of the Evill done to us by your young men, but will
keep and obserue the Articles of peace made p Coll. Coursey wee do now tell you that your
Indians haue killed our Cattle and robbed our houses to the value of 500 Bevers at least : Now
the peace made p Coll. Coursey saith that you shall make us satisfaction, and wee do now
demand to see what you will lay down to repair that loss.

But now that W^*" lyes heavy upon our hearts is the Blood of our people, yet that you may
see w-ee thirst not after much blood, wee demand only the Captain or Cheif Commander of
that Troop that murdered our people, w'"" wee certainly know to be an Onnondagee : When
you haue performed this wee haue no more to say, then fireindship do giue 50 guilders zewant
to each nation.

The Onnondages Answer — Tackanien nondi Speaker

There is a payment demanded of us for the plundering &'^ wee shall bring the Payments
here the next summer when the Indian corn begins to grow hard, and shall acquaint our Indians
therewith and send for some out of Maryland to receiue the same here ; Concerning the two
murders committed in your Country do say that both the cheif commanders are killed, the
one by the Kitchtages Indians, and the other by the Piscatowayes, and do giue 3 Bevers, W*"
is an obligation to bring the payment here

326 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

The jNIacquess Answer — Odiaiiiie Speaker

Wee haue understood tliat satisfaction is demanded for the robhing & pkindring in your
country, wee are poor, and haue but httle, neither hath our people had any hand in the mischief
done in your country, for wee alwayes forbid our Indians to do any harm when they go out ;
and the' wee are not Indians that take many Bevers, do promise nevertheless to giue 30 or 40
Bevers to tlie peice, to make up the 500 that are demanded, and bring them here to this place,
do giue a Belt of peak 15 deep.

The Oneydes Answer — Tekanista pendaccjuo Speaker

Wee shall pay the next summer the 500 Bevers demanded for the Robberies and plundering
committed by us in your Country & bring them here to town do giue 2 Bevers.

The Cajouges Answer , "

Hearken you Agents of My Lord Baltimore,

Wee engage ourselues witli the other nations aboue specyfied to bring the payment, as is
demanded next summer you must not think long for wee must go farr to fetch the Bevers, and
tliat in danger of our lines do giue 2 Bevers.

The third Proposition of the Agents.

The Bevers whicli you liaue promised for the robbing and plundring, done in our Country
wee ai-e content to accept, and do nominate and appoint M'' Richard Pretty & M'' Johannes
Windall our agents to receiue the same for us in Corleirs house : As for the Blood of our people
wee can nott easily permitt it, but hoping that this may be a warning to you, and for that do
assure you that the two warr captaines are dead, or otherwayes you would haue delivered them
up to us, and by reason wee are told you are good subjects to our King in this government wee
will for this time to throw a cover over the blood that hath been spilt, to hide it from our eyes,
upon condition that for the future you keep your Indians out of our Country for doing the like
eviil to lis or any of our Neighbouring Indians, w'''' if they attempt to do, you must not expect
to see us come here again, but that wee will uncover the blood that hatli been spilt, and itt shall
appear as newly spilt upon the ground ; wee will fall upon you, and wee doubt not but the
great and just (iod will deliver you into our hands, who haue so basely shed our blood witiiout
a Cause ; Do giue as pledge a Roll of Duffles to each nation.

If any of your Indians are gone into Virginia or Maryland against the Ciiristians or the
Piscatoway Indians or any other than our neighbour Indians that you forthwith send out
messengers to call them back again : Do giue two fatts of Rum to each Nation.

Wee are told that some Christian hath stirred you up to make war u])on tlie Piscatoway
Indians, and promised to deliver them up to you ; If it be so wee desire that you will tell who
they are ; Do giue 3 Rolls of Tobacco & some pipes to each nation

Wee do renew the Peace for the Piscatoway, & all our flreind Indians and on their behalf do
giue a Bunett of Zewant or Peak of 50 guilders to each nation.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. ' 327

The Cajouges Answer

1. Wee thank you heartily tliat you haue covered the blood and that you haue spoke so well,
now it is no easy thing to beginn a warr for you could not then cultivate or improve yo'
land in peace, and we shall take care that on both sides the sun may sliine over us in peace :
Do giue 3 Beavers.

2. You have told us that the Blood is covered for w'''' wee thank you, and do undertake to
perform all what you demand of us, wee do now take the Ax from our people and bury itt in the
ground, but if it should accidentally happen that some of our Indians might take a hand or two of
Tobacco that a warr be not made for so small an Occasion, Do giue two Beavers.

3. Let the Chain wherein Corleir, that is the Gov'' of New York & they of Maryland &
Virginia & wee are lockt, be kept fast & inviolable upon both sides ; Do giue 2 Beauers.

4. You haue now sayd that if any of our Indians were out fighting upon the Coast of
Maryland or Virginia, that wee should fetch them back again. But there hath been none of
our troops of Cajouges out upon that Coast these two years last past, neither are there any out
now; And are glad that you haue spoke of the Piscataway Indians : Do giue 2 Beavers.

The Ounondages Answer

1. Wee are glad & thank you the gentlemen heartily, that they haue covered the blood, w'^''
we haue shed in their country : Do giue 2 Bevers.

2. Wee do take the Piscatoway Indians, and all your fFreind Indians fast in our Covenant,
and do undertake to keep the peace firmly w"" your Indians as w"" yourself. Do giue 2 Beavers.

3. Wee haue understood that wee are to fetch back our Indians, that are out a fighting upon
the Coast of Maryland & Virginia wee engage to perform itt, not only to call for them home
and send them back but shall take the Ax quite out of their hands, and not only throw away
the Ax, for then our Children might chance to see itt, but shall bury itt, that our posterity
after us may never see itt ; Do giue a Belt of 16 Deep

The Oneydes Answer

1. Do thank the Agents of Maryland that they haue covered the Blood ; Do giue 1 Bever.

2. Wee know that wee must line in peace with the Christians of Maryland & Virginia, as
also with those iFreind Indians w'"" wee do engage to perform & obserue. Do giue one Beaver
& 16.

3. Wee do make the Covenant Chain fast & clear like Gold wherein Corleir & they of
Maryland & Virginia & wee are linked & shall keep inviolable. Do giue one Bever.

4. Wee haue understood that wee must call back our troops that are gone into iSIaryland or
Virginia : There are some of our troops that are gone into Maryland, haue been out since
spring upon your Coast, if any of them should haue happened to haue shed any of your ffrcind
Indians blood, what shall be done in that case, and if any of our troops of Indians are gone
out lately shall call them back, and take the Ax out of the hands of all our Indians, as well as
our Brethren that haue spoke now. Do giue 2 Bevers.

§28 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

5 Since the gentlemen haue so earnestly enquired of us what Christians haue stirred us up
to fi^ht ag*' the Piscatoway Indians wee should nott haue told itt if you had nott made so sharp
enquiry ; wee do say that about 2 years ago a troop of ten Oneydes were at the house of Jacob
Young who s"* unto them, what do you here so few in number, you may get some mischeif ;
but go home and fetch an army of yo'' people and warn mee ten or twelve dayes before wee
shall all be at arms and then destroy them and deliver them into your hands for wee suffer
great damages by these Indians because you make warr upon them in our Country, whereupon
he presented us with a Roll of Dufffijes.
•

The Macquess Speaks

1. Wee are poor & haue not much mony. The Ax w'-'' jNIaj'' Pinclion (for New England)
and wee haue been buryed in the ground in this house, remaines so (& wee do not look out
any more) that way to go a fighting ; Lett this also be buryed in the ground and wee do
humbly pray the Agents of Maryland & Virginia that the Blood may never be seen any more.

The Macquess Speaker acquaints all the Indians that Wowler (a Macquess Indian) goes now
to Maryland to be interpreter there, and do desire of the Agents that he may be well used :
Do giue a Belt of Peak; IG deep.

Tiiis is a true Copy transcribed from the Secrys of Albany Record p mee

Robert Burmann.

August: 13: 16s2.

Commimion of Colond Thomas Dongan to he Governor of New -York.

[ New- York Entries, CLI. 39.]

Where.-vs it hath pleased y'^ Kings most E.xcellent Ma"'' my Soveraigne Lord & Brother by
his letters I'attents to give and grant unto me and my heires and assignes All that part of y^
Maine land of New England begining at a certaine place called or knowne by the name of S'
Croi.K next adjoyneing to New Scotland in America and from thence extending along y"" Sea
Coast unto a certaine placed called Pemaquin or Pemaquid and soe up y*" River thereof to v"
furthest head of y*" same as it tendeth Northward and extendeth thence to y'^ River Kinebequi
and soe upwardes to y' shortest course to y" River Canada Northward. And also all y' Island
or Islands comonly called by y'' severall name or names of Matowacks or Long Island scituate
lyeing and being towards y'' West of Cape Codd and y" Narrow Higansetts abutting upon tlie
Maine land betweene y'" two Rivers there called or knowne by y*" sev'all names of Connectecut
and Hudsons river, together alsoe w"" y" said river called Hudsons River and all y'' land
from the West Side of Connectecut river to y*^ East side of Delaware Bay And alsoe
all y'" severall Islands called or knowne by the name of Martyn Vyniards and Mantukes
otherwise Mantukett, ' together with all y'^ lands islands soyles rivers harbours mines mineralls
quarries woods marshes waters lakes fishings, hau[k]ing hunting and fowling, and all other

' "jS'ant.ukos olherwise Kantukett." Official copy in Book of Commissions, I. 69. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 329

royaltyes and profitts coinodityes & liereditaments to y^ said severall islands lands and
premisses belonging & apperteyneing with their and every of their appurteilces. To hold
tile same by' my ovvne proper use and behoofe, w"" power to correct punish pardon governe
and rule y'' inhabtants tliereof by my selfe or such Deputyes Comission" or Offic" as I shall
thinke fitt to appoint as by his Ma'* said Lett" Pattents may more fully appeare. And whereas
I have since for divers good causes and consideracons by severall instrum" und"^ my hand and
seale bargained sold released and confirmed unto Sir George Carterett (late Vice Chamberlaine
to His Ma'* Household) and his heires, and unto Edward Billing and others and their heires, all
y' tract of land (p''cell of y"" p''misses) comonly called or knowne by the names of East and
West New Jersey, scituate on tiie West side of Hudsons River according to certaine Boundaryes
more particularly expressed in y" s'' sev^ill instrum'* and und' certaine rents and coven" as
tlierein relacon being thereunto had may more fully appeare. And Whereas I have conceived
a good opinion of the integrity prudence ability and fittness cf Coll. Thomas Dongan to be
employed as my Lieuten' there, I have therefore thought fitt to constitute and appoint him y*
said Coll : Tho*^ to be my L' and Gov"' within y* lands islands and places aforesaid (except the
said East and West New Jersey) to performe & execute all and every the powers W^"" are by
the said lett" pattents granted unto me to be executed by me my Deputy Agent or Assignes
To HAVE AND TO HOLD y" Said place of Lieutenant & Gov"' unto him the said Coll : Thomas
Dongan but dureing my will and pleasure only ; Hereby willing and requireing all and every
the Lihabitants of the said lands Islands and places (except as before excepted) to give obedience
unto him the said Coll. Thomas Dongan in all things, according to the tenour of his I\[a'' Letters
Pattents, And y' said Coll : Tho Dongan to observe follow and execute such Ord" and direccons
as he shall from time to time receive from my selfe. Given und^ my hand and seale at S'
James's the 30"" day of September 16S2.

Extract of a Letter from the Register of Scotland to Sir Jolm Werden.

[ New- York Enlries, CLI. 40. ]

" I did write to you formerly of our desire who are Proprietors of East Jersey to have our
governem' rather holden by Charter of his R" H" y" as it is at p''sent by transmission from our
authors without any augmentacon of our priviledges, but only to be und'' y' Dukes imediate
protection."

[December 21, 16S2.]

'"Tomyowne." Official Copy. —Zd. " Coll. Thomas Dongan." Ibid. — 'E.D.

Vol. IIL

330 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Sir John Werden tt) the Lo)'d Register.

I New- York Entries, CLI. 40. ]

S' James's 4 Jan'' Sf
My Lord

I sliould liave answered yo'' Lords'" of y" 21. Dec'' sooner, but y' I have waited a good
opportunity to make y^ proposall menconed in yo"' letf^ about y* East part of New Jersey.

And now I am to desire a little farther explanation of w' is aymed at in y' proposall, y' is,
whether the Projiriet" of East New Jersey desigue to joyne y' to New York (as heretofore) as a
part of y' governem' and soe share in it by sending tlieir Representatives to y*" Assembly at New
Yorke (in such number as may be agreed on, if it be tliought fitt) and contributing to y"^ publique
charge in proporcon &■= or else wiiether haveing their governem' in E. New Jersey holden by
Charter i'rom his U" H' imediately rather then by transmission from tiieir Authors (as yo'' Lre
expresses it) and being und" the Dukes protection be to be understood only of the Dukes
confirmacon of their rights & possessions there, as they are derived unto y'" from Sir Geo.
Carterett or his lieires, l)y vertue of y' Dukes grant heretofore to him and y""

Moreover ibr the ease of negociating y' attayre I desire yo'' Lords'* will appoint some one
(well instructed) empowered to answer such objeccons as may be started by his R" H' Com'^'
here, w" y' is layd before them.

To tiie R' Hon"^
the Lord Register
in Edinburiirh.

Sir John Werdeii to Lieutenant Brockholes,

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 40. ]

St James's 4 Jan^ (8f)
Sir

I write this to you to advertise you that his R" Highnesse hath beene pleased to constitute the
Hon'''*' Coll Thomas Dongan his Lieuten' and Gov"' of New Yorke with its dependencyes in
America : who I suppose will 'ere long be with you at New Yorke, and in the Interim he will on
all opportunityes signify to you his R" H' pleasure in pursuance of liia instruccons, to w"^*" I doe
not doubt yo' pimcfual complyance.

For L* Brockholes now
Comand' in Cheife at
New Yorke. •

LONDON DOCUiVlENTS: IV. §^1

Iiistj-iictions for Governor ]Jongan.

[Xew-Tork Entries. CLI. 41.]

Instructions for Coll Thomas Dongnn L' and GoV of New Yorke and its
Dependenc-yes in America.

With these Instruccons you will receive a Comission und'' my hand and seale constituteing
you my L' and Gov"' of New Yorke & it's Dependencyes in America.

And you are thereupon to fitt yo' selfe w"" all convenient speed and to repaire thither to
New Yorke, and being arrived there you are to take upon you the execucon of the place
and trust I have reposed in you, and forthwith to call together Fredericke Phillipps, Stephen
Courtland and soe many more of the most eminent inhabitants of New Yorke, not exceeding
tenn, to be of my Councill, and w"" due and usual! solenmity to cause my said comission
constituteing you my p'"sent L' and Gov"" as aforesaid, to be then and there read and published ;
w'''' being done, you are to administer to each of the members of the s** Councill as well the
Oaths of Allegiance to the King and Fealty to me as Lord and Proprietor of the place, & an
Oath for y" due execucon of their places and trusts, and forthw"" to comunicate such and soe
many of these my instructions to the s'' Councill wherein their advice and consent are
menconed to be requisite, as likewise all such others from time to time as you shall find
convenient for my service to be imparted unto y™ and the INIembers of the s"* Councill respec-
tively shall and may have and enjoy freedome of debates and vote in all affaires of publique
concerne. And in case any of y" p''sons who are or shalbe of my Councill shall misbehave
themselves to that degree y' you shall judge him unfitt to continue any longer of the Council,
I doe hereby authorize and empower you to suspend him from assisting or attending the said
Councill, and to transmitt to me y" grounds and reasons of such suspension & such evidence as
you have ag^' him, y' I may be able to judge whether he be fitt to be restored or absolutely
excluded & discharged from y'^ Councill

You are also w"" advice of my Councill w"" all convenient speed after yo' arrivall there, in my
name to issue out Writts or warr" of Sumons to y* sev''all Sheriffes or other proper Offic" in
every part of yo'' said governem' wherein you shall expresse that I have thought fitt that there
shall be a Gen" Assembly of all the Freeholders, by the p''sons who they shall choose to
rep''sent y™ in ord"' to consulting w"" yo''selfe and the said Councill what laws are fitt and
necessary to be made and established for the good weale and governem' of the said Colony and
its Dependencyes, and of all the inhabitants thereof, & you shall issue out the said Writt or
Sumons at least thirty dayes before the time appointed for y"" meeting of the said Assembly,
w"^"" time and alsoe the place of their meeting (w'^'' I intend shalbe in New Yorke) shall alsoe be
menconed & expressed in the said Writt or Sumons, and you w"" advice of my said Councill
are to take care to issue out soe many writts or sumons and to such officers, in every part, not
exceeding eighteene, soe y' the planters or Inhabitants of every part of y* s"* governem' may
have convenient notice thereof and attend at such ellection, if they shall thinke fitt. And w"
the said Assembly soe elected shalbe mett at y* time and place directed, you shall lett y"" know
that for the future it is my resolucon that y* said Gen" Assembly shall have free liberty to
consult and debate among themselves all matt" as shall be apprehended proper to be established
for laws for the good governem' of the said Colony of New Yorke and its Dependencyes, and

332 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

y» if such laws shalbe propounded ns shall nppeare to mee to be for the manifest good of the
Couutrv in generall and not p'judiciali to me, 1 will assent unto and confirme y"' In the passing
and enacting of all such laws as shalbe agreed unto by the said Assembly, W'' I will have
called by the name of the Generall Assembly of my Colony of New Yorke and its Dependencyes
wherein the same shalbe (as I doe hereby ordaine they shalbe) p''sented to you for yo'' assent
thereunto.

You are to consider whether y'' same be for the gen" good and not prejudiciall to me ; and if
you find them soe to be, then you are to give yo"" assent thereunto. But if you shall judge them
inconvenient or p'judiciali, you are to refuse yo"" assent thereunto, and in all cases you are to
have a negative voice to refuse all Laws y' are presented to you ; and w° you shall have given
yo'' consent to such laws as shalbe soe agreed, you shall by the first opportunity transmitt the
same to me und'' y^ hands of yo'' selfe and Councill, and und"' the seale of the Colony, (w'^'" you
are to use in passing of grants) to y^ end that I may ratifye and confirme y' same, if I shall
approve or reject y'" if I doe not tliinke them reasonable. But the said laws soe assented unto
by you, shalbe good and binding untill such time as I shall cause my dislike of & refusall to
passe y"° to be signifyed unto you, and from thenceforth y^ same shall cease and be null and
voyd to all intents. And I doe alsoe give you power from time to time to cause y*' said Gen"
Assembly to be sumoned w'^'' I also authorize you to adjourne or dissolve as you shall see reason
and cause. And I doe further direct you not to passe any law upon any occasion whatsoever for
rayseing any publique revenue, unlesse expresse mencon be made therein y' the same is levyed
and granted unto me, or unto me for y'' support of y^ Governem' or to such uses as the said law
shall appoint. And you are as much as iu you lyeth to take eftectuall care y' there may be a
constant Establishment for raiseing of money sufficient to support and maintaine y*" charge of
the governem' of those parts both Civill & Military; and alsoe that there may be money raised
for paying and dischargeing the arreares now due to y" Officers & soldiers and other expenses
of the governm'. And are not to suffer any publique money w'soever to be issued or disposed
of otherwise then by a warr' under your hand.

And it is my expresse will and pleasure y' all laws w'soever for the good governem' and
support of my said Colony of New Yorke with its Dependencyes be made indefinite and witiiout
limitacou of time, excejjt the same be for a temporary end, & W'' shall exjiire and have its full
effect w"'in a certaine tiuie. And you are not to passe any laws or doe any act by Graunt,
Settlement or otherwise whereby my revenue may be remitted, lessened or impaired, w"'out my
especial! leave or commands tiierein. You shall not displace any of y' Judges Justices Shcrifies
or other Offic''' or Ministers w"'in New Yorke or its Dependencyes under yo'' governem' without
good cause, nor execute yo''selfe or by a Deputy any of y" said offices nor suffer any person to
execute more offices y" one by a Deputy.

And I doe hereby require and comand 3'ou y' noe mans life, member, freehold, or goods, be
taken away or harmed iu any of the places und'" j'o"" governem' but by established and knowne
laws nut repuguimt lo but as nigh as may be agreable to the laws of the kingdome of England.

You are to take care tliat druukeunesse and debauchery sweareing and blasphemy be
discountenanced & piuiishcd, and y' none l)e admitted to publicjue trust and employm' whose ill
fame and couN'i'rsacon may bring scaudall ihereuiion. You are lo give all due encouragem' and
invitacou to merch" and others who shall bring trade unto yo'' governem' Sc inhabitants or any
way contribute to their advantage.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 333

And if any thing shall happen w'^'' may be of advantage or security to any of the places
under yo'' governem' w'*" is not herein or by yo"" comission provided for ; I doe hereby allow
unto you, w'"" advice and consent of my Councill to take ord"' for the p''sent therein, giveing me
speedy notice thereof, y' soe you may receive my ratificacon if I shall approve y^ same.
Provided alvvayes that you doe not by colour of any power or authority given you, comence or
declare warr w'l'out my knowledge & particular comands therein.

You are, for the better administracou of justice to endeavour to gett a law passed in the
Assembly wherein shalbe sett the value of the mens estates either in goods or lands und'' w''''
they shall not be capable of serving as jurors.

I doe also hereby authorize you w"" advice of my s** Councill to elect and settle such and soe
many Courts of Justice & in such places as you shall w"" advice of my said Councill judge to
be necessary for the good governem' of the said place & for adjudgeing and determineing all
matt" Civill and Criminall wherein you are to take care that y* same be as nere answerable to
y* laws and Courts of Justice in England as may be, and to give me an ace' of such Courts as
you shall thinke fitt soe to erect, to y* end I might confirme or reject the same as I shall see
cause, but the said Courts may proceed and hold Recognizance of such matters as you and yo'
Councill shall appoint, untill my pleasure be signified to y" contrary.

And I doe further hereby authorize and empower you, w'"" advice of my said Councill, to
make contracts & agreeni" w"" such persons as shall desire to take any part of the lauds within
my said governem', to plant and improve, and to grant such estates as shalbe soe contracted for
und' y° scale of my governem' at and und' some certaine yearely rent and service to be
reserved to me and my heires; w'^'' rent and service I doe referr to be settled bj* you & my said
Councill according to your best discrecon.

And I doe alsoe authorize and impower )'ou to pardon and remitt any fine or fines W'' by
any of the said Courts shall be sett or imposed upon anj^ person or bodys politique or corporate,
and alsoe to pardon and remitt all manner of crimes before or after conviction (unless the
he3'nous crimes of high Treason and wilfull murther) and in those cases if you shall find the
Criminall capable of mercy and pardon, you may then reprieve the execution of the judgm'
ag" them who shalbe convicted of High Ti'eason or murther and transmitt to me the true state
of the matter and the grounds & reasons w"^ incline you to judge the persons objects of mercy.

And you are alsoe w"" advice of my said Councill to erect and appoint convenient houses
and other necessaryes, for Custome-houses and matters relating thereunto, in such ports and
places as you shall judge convenient, either for shipping or unladeing any goods or merchandize.

And I doe alsoe impower and authorize you w"' advice of my said Councill to settle and
establish a Militia of the inhabitants, to be mustered & disciplined und' such offic'* as you shall
nominate and appoint, and that they may be ready in case of any invasion or suddaine
insurreccon, to oppose the enemy ; and in y' case you are to leavy amie and employ the
inhabitants ag" such forreigne and other enemj^es, represse, fight w"" kill and destroy them ;
And for the better strengthening of the said places, you may w"" advice of my said Councill
erect such forts & castles and other fortificacons as shalbe necessary for the defence thereof.

You are also w"" all convenient speed after yo' arrivall at New Yorke to endeavour to
ascertaine and agree y^ Boundaryes of my territoryes towards Connecticut w"" the Govern'* and
inhabitants of Connectecut, and you are to send over to me true and e.\act Mapps of all my
said Territoryes.

334 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

You are to permitt and suffer all such Planters as are now upon any part of my said countreys
and have begun to improve their plantacons, quietly to hold and enjoy their said lands without
disturbance, and the laws now in force and use in the said countreys are to be continued and
put in use uutill y* same shalbe abrogated or changed, in such manner as is above directed.
But you are not upon any pretence or colour of law or other establishm' to leavy raise or take
or suffer any person to demand, leavy, raise or take any money or other tilings for or by way
of Custome or impost, for any goods wares or merchandizes imported or exported by any
merch' or other person whatsoever, untill the same shalbe enacted and established by law to be
made and enacted in such manner as is above menconed and directed.

You are alsoe to take all opportunityes to gaine and procure from the Indians upon reasonable
rates and termes such tracts and quantityes of ground as are contiguous to my other lands or
convenient for my territoryes in trade, either sea ports or others, thereby to enlarge and secure
my territoryes.

You are alsoe to consider and advise w"" my Councill whether it wilbe for the good or
prejudice of those Countreys in gen" and also what particular advantage it may prove to the
Citty of New Yorke if I should grant unto that Citty immunities and priviledges beyond w'
other parts of my territoryes doe enjoy ; and w° you have fully instructed and informed yo''
selfe therein, you are to send over yo' opinion in writeing to mee, and yo"' reasons for w'
you shall advise to be done, y' I may alsoe consider upon w' you ground yo'' judgement, and
thereupon take my i-esoluc6n what to doe therein.

And you shall, by ever}^ siii[) y' sailes from yo'' parts for England, give advice to me of the
condicon of y" s** Countreys and of all other things y' shalbe necessary. You shall also
endeavour effectually to adjust and settle a due regulacon of y trade to and at Penia([uid, and
betweene the inhabitants of New Yorke and those of Pemaquid, wherein you are to advise and
consult w"' y" principall Inhabitants and trader of and in New Yorke to the end the trade
thereof may be secure and improved to y" best advantage.

And lastly I do hereby ord'' and direct y' in case you shall happen to depart y' life in y'' time
of yo'' governem' in the places aforesaid, that then y*' Deputy Govern'' or hee who shalbe the
Cheife Offic'' und'' you at y*" time of yo'' decease shall take upon him the governem' of y'' said
places & colony in such manner as you are to doe, and observe y'' instruccims and direccons
above menconed & shall continue (iov'" to all intents & purposes untill such time as I shall
appoint another person to be Govern'' thereof. Given under my hand at St James's the 27"'
day of January IGS|.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 335

Commission of Lucas Santen to he CoVeetor at Ne^c-Yorh.

[ Ne\v-Y..rk Eulries, CLI. 4S. ]

Whereas I have thought fitt out of y' good opinion I conceive of y" integrity, ability, and
fittnesse of Lucas Santen gen' to appoint him to be my Collector and Rec"' of New Yorke and its
Dependencyes, to levy collect and receive all and all manner of dutyes dues and revenues y' now
are or shall arise & grow due to me, from my Customes, excise, quitt rents, or by any other
manner or way w'soever. I doe therefore hereby constitute and appoint him y'' s"* Lucas
Santen to be my Collector & Rec"' of my customes, excise, quitt rents &' of New Yorke and its
Dependencyes accordingly. To hold y^ said place w"" y" fee or sallary of two hundred pound
p'' ann : to be paid him out of such money as shall become due to me out of my revenue at New
York afores"* or [in] default thereof, by my Trear and Rec"' Gen" for y"" time being; to comence
from Our Lady day next ensueing, and to continue dureing my pleasure only. Given und'' my
hiind and seale at S' James's y' 17. day of Feby IGSf.

Instructioihs for Lucas Santen^ Cullector xf New -York.

[ New-York Entries, CLI. 40. ]

Instruccons for Lucas Santen gen'. Collector and Rec"" of his R" H» Revenue at
New Yorke.

You sliall from time to time soe long as you shall continue & be employed in my service well
and truly gather collect & receive, all rents rates dues dutyes issues and proffitts whatsoever
comeing growing ariseing or any wayes payable to mee, or w""*" shall come, grow, arise, or any
ways become payable to me, or to my use in my Colony of New Yorke and y' lands dominions
ports and territoryes thereunto belonging or in any wise apperteyneing, aswell by customes
excise assessm*' impositions or otherwise howsoever ; and to y'' end you may make a true and
p''fect ace' to me or w"" I shall appoint, of all my s"" revenue ariseing as foresaid, you are to make
distinct and p'fect entryes into severall bookes to be provided for y' purpose.

You shall well and^truly collect and receive all rates dues and dutyes ariseing and payable
unto me, for my customes at New Yorke k," and to y' end you are to make entryes of all goods
imported and exported, and to keepe exact ace" of all moneyes by you rec** or goods in lieu
thereof, and make distinct and perfect entryes into bookes (to be provided and kept) of y"
customes W'' you shall receive of all goods and merchandizes as well forreigne goods imported
to New Yorke, as goods of y'^ countrey comeing thither, together w"" y* names of y'' respective
persons from w" you receive the same w"" y* ships names and masters names.

You shall not give creditt or trust to any merch' or other person in y' forbearance of ready
money or goods in lieu thereof in paym' of these customes but sliall receive all customes upon
passing entryes, unless in such cases where you shall receive positive dirreccons from my L' Gov'
und' his hand in writeing in that behalfe, and you are to take especiall care y' all y*" s"* customes

336 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

both in and out be reC' in money or goods ad valorem in such manner as formerly hath beene
accustomed.

You shall dureing the time afores"* make and give to my L' Gov'' at New Yorke a true and
just ace' of all such dutyes dues or moneys or goods soe by you to be reC* whether it be from y
nierch' at New Yorke or lent you by the customers of the other ports of my said Colony as often
as he shall thinke fitt to demand y^ same, and well and truly to pay or cause to be paid unto
my s"* L' Gov' all and every the s"* sume or sumes of money as you shall receive y^ same, takeing
care to dispose of y*^ said goods, soe as may be best for my advantage by the direccon of my s**
L' Gov and to take my s"" L' Gov' reu': for all such sumes as you shall pay to him.

You shall at y*" P'east of the Annunciacon of Our Lady in every yeare, or w">in ten days
after, fully pay in and cleare yo' ace'* w"" my L' Gov' of all y" moneys or goods by you collected
or due to mee for y' yeare ending at y'' Feast afores'' as alsoe you shall call ibr and state y* ace"
of y" other offic'" appointed by my L' Gov' to collect my Customes in all other Ports of my said
Colony, y' they may be delivered in and cleared once every yeare together w"' yo' owne.

You shall not, directly nor indirectly, either in yo' owne name or y'^ name or names of any
other person or persons or in any Company or partnership w"" any other, trade as a merch' for
yo' selfe, or as a Factor or agent for any other in or for any goods wares or merchandizes.

You shall grant noe Bill of sight or sufferance for the landing of any goods or merchandizes,
but onely to such persons who shall make oath before my s"* L' Gov' or w™ he shall appoint to
receive y"" same, that they have neither invoice left' or other advice, whereby to make knowne
the true contents of such goods, for w""" they desire such bill of siglit or sufferance, unless all
the goods shalbe brought into the Kings warehouse.

In case of any difference ariseing 'twixt yo' selfe or other your inferio' oflic" and y'' merch' or
trad' upon ace' of collecting my customes or estimateing the value thereof, such difference shall
be determined by the ordinary magistrates of the place, or otherwise as hath beene hitherto
accustomed.

Lastly and in regard it may so happen y' there may be some things omitted w'''' cannot be
soe well foreseene here as observed by my L' Gov' w" he shall be upon y^ place ; you are
therefore to observe and follow such further rules and direccons as you shall from time to time
receive from him, for y* manageing collecting and accounting of and for my s'' revenue. Given
und' my hand at S' James's the 25"" day of Ap" 16S3.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 337

Petition of the Mayor and Common Council of New-Yorlc for a new Charter.

[New-York Papers, I. 177.]

To the Right Honorable Coll" Thomas Dongan Esq' liieutennant & Governor & Vice Admirall
under his Royall Highness James Duke of York and x^lbany &"" of New York and
Dependencyes in America.

The humble peticon of tlie Mayor and Aldermen & Comonalty of the Citty of
New York.

Shavclh

That this Citty hatli had and enjoyed seuerall ancient Customes Priviledges and Immunityes
which were confirmed and granted to them by Coll" Richard Nicliolls the late Governor of this
Province by authority under His Royall Highness A" 1665 who incorporated the Inhabitants
thereof New Harlem and all other Inhabitants' on the Island Manhattans whereon this Citty
.standeth as one body I'olitique and Corporate under the Goverment of a Mayor Aldermen an
Sheriff in which manner it hath continued in pi'actice ever since and hath had, used and enjoyed
the Customes, Libertyes and priviledges following, Viz'

1. That all the Inhabitants on the Island Manhattans was under the Goverm' of the Citty of
New York.

2. That the Governing of the said Citty was by seven Magistrates and a Schout formerly
called Burgemaster .ind Schepen now one Ma3'o'' six Aldermen and one Sheriffe.

3. These Magistrates had power to appoint all inferior Officers as Constables and Overseers,
CJndersherifFs, Cryers, and Marshalls throughout the whole Island and also did make such
peculiar Lawes" and Orders as they judge convenient for the well governeing the inhabitants of
the s"* Corporacon and held once in fourteen dayes or oftener on Special! request^ or occasion a
Court of Judicature att the Citty Hall where they did heare and determine all causes and
Matters whatsoever brought before them by Jury* or in Equity as the cause required The iNIayor
or chief Magistrate had power to determine all matters that came before him under forty shillings
without appeale or any other process then a verball heareing of partyes.

4. The Sheriffs served all writts, summons, and attachments within the Limmitts of the
Corporacon and officiated as Watterbayliff" on the water.

5. They had theire owne Gierke and kept the Records of the Citty distinctly.

6. This Citty was the Staple porte of the whole Province where all merchandize was Shipped
and unloaden.

7. None were to bee esteemed freemen of the citty but who were admitted b}^ the Magistrates
aforesaid and none before such admission to sell by Retayle or Exercise any handicraft trade or
occupacon and every merchant or shopkeeper was to pay for the publique use of the Citty three
pounds, twelve shillings, Every handy crafts man one pound foure Shillings on being made free.

8. Noe fireeman of the citty was to bee arrested or to have their goods attached unless it was

' "All others inhabiting." Petition in Ccmncil Minutes, V. 17. — Ed.
° "By Laws." Ibid. ' "Desire." Ibid. * "Juries." Ibid.

Vol. III. 43

338 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

made to appenre that they were departeing or conveying away their Estates to defraude their
Creditors.

9. Noe person was admitted to trade up Hudsons River except hee was a freeman and had
been an actuall inhabitant in this Citty for the space of three yeares, And if any ffreeman
should bee absent out of the Citty the space of Twelve moneths and not keepe fire and candle
and pay Scott and lott should loose his ffreedome.

10. All that Inhabite up Hudson's River were forbid to trade over sea.

11. Noe fflower was to be bolted or packed or biskett made for Exportacon butt in the Citty
of New York being for the encouragm' of trade and keepeing up the Reputacon of New York
flower which is in greater request in the West Indies and the only support and maintennance of
the Inhabitants of this Citty and if not confirmed to them will ruine and depopulate the same.

12. That the said Citty had a Conion Scale to serve for the sealeing of all and singular their
affaires, matters and businesses touching the said Corporacon.

All which said ancient Customes, Priviledges and Libertyes wee the said Mayor and
Aldermen in behalfe of themselves and the Cittizens of the said Citty doe humbly present and
make knowne to your Hono"" Humbly beseeching yo'' Hono' in their behalfs to Interceed and
procure that the same bee confirmed to them by Charter from his Royall Highnesse with these
Addicons following viz'

1. That the said Corporacon bee divided into six wards.

2. That the ffreemen in each ward doe once every yeare elect their own Officers that is to say
Aldermen, Common Covmcil men, Constable, Overseers of tlie poore. Assessors, Scavengers,
Questmen, or other officers usefull and necessary for the said Corporacon and Ward.

3. That there bee a Mayor and a Recorder who with the said six Aldermen and six Comon
Councill men shall represent the whole body of the said Citty and Corporacon and shall have
power to make peculler lawes' for the good goverment and support tliereof

4. That a Mayor bee appointed every yeare by the Governor and Councill and to bee one
of the Aldermen soe chosen as aforesaid.

5. That all Magistrates soe chosen shall not be admitted to the Execucon of their offices
untill sworne before the Governor and Councill.

6 That the Recorder bee appointed by the Governor and Councill who shall bee .ludge of
the Citty and Corporacon and bee aydeing and assisteing to the Mayor and Aldermen & Comon
Councill in all matters that relate to the well beinge and supporte thereof

7. Tliat a Sheriffe bee annually appointed by the Governor and Councill.

8. That the Coroner & Town Clerk be appointed by the Governor & Councel."

9. That the Mayo"' Recorder, Aldermen and Comon Councill doe appoint a Threasurer for
collecting and payeinge all publique debts and Revenues.

This and whatever else yo"' honor or his Royall Highness shall think fitt, necessary &
convenient for the good rule, order and welfare of this Citty and Corporacon yo' peticioners
humbly praye may bee graunted and confirmed to them in as full and ample manner and forme
as His Majesty has been graciously pleased to graunt to other Corporacons within his Realme

' "Laws and Orders." Council Minutes, V. 18. — Ed.

' Tliis clause is omitted in the London MS. It is inserted here from the copy of the Petition in the Cotmcil
Minutes. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 339

of England for the Obteyneing of which they again humbly begg Yo'' Hono'' to become theyr
supplicant whose kyndeness and service therein shall bee most thankfully acknowledged.
And as in duty bound Yo"' peticoners shall ever pray &-''

Beeremuth*

Johannes van brug
John Lawrence
PiETER Jacob Marius
Ja. Graham
Corn Steenewijck
N. Bayard.
New Yorke. Novemb"" 9"" 16S3.

By order of the above

John West CI :

(This paper is endorsed as follows.)

1. Q. for a Copy of y' old Charter.

2. if the Duke intends to graunt them all they desire and in y" same words of the

former Graunt w"" the desired additions onely adding the regulating,
confirming or discharging of Officers to y'' Governor.

3. if the former graunt be surrendered W^ ought first to be done and that

to be menconed as part of the Considercns moving his H* to graunt
this New Charter.
Q. If S' John Werden or some other of y" Dukes Officers haue not y"
Coppy of y'^ Grant of Incorporation or at least y" Warrant to y*"
Dukes Councill to draw it.
But I think it absolutely necessary there should be a surrender of y* Old,
otherwise they may keep all their Old Priviledges by virtue of that
and take y^ additions by this new one without Subjecting tiieir
Officers &" to approbation & Refusall &'' of y* Gouerno"

A. P.

[ Alueep Popple. ]

Ziord JBaltimore to Mr. Blatliwayt.

I Marylan.i, I. B. C. 24.]

Patuxent Decemb. 7"> (S3)
Dear Sir

The beginning of the last month I writt to you and therein gave you my acknowledgem" for
y'' obligeing Ire of the 8"" of 7ber, wherein you very kindly assured me that nothing would be
concluded by the Councill without hearing me or my Agents, and that if I came over in the Spring
you beleeved I should find that buisnes of Delaware undetermined. I hope (and by your favour I
p''sume to assure my selfe, that I may be heard in person afore the Lords of the Councill will proceed
in a matter of that concerne to my interest here, and, w'^'" gives me still the greater confidence, I

' " Will. Bekck.man :" he was Deputy Mayor ; Mr. Stee.nwyck being the Mayor of the city at the date of this Petition. — Ed.

340 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

shall have liberty to appear in person to make out my right to Delaware, is, that my father in life
time and since his decease I have petitioned His Royal Highnes for a hearing of that matter ;
but His Higlmes his greater atlaires did not aflbrd time for it whilst I was in England ; so that
since I sought for a hearing of tliat business, so far as w"" good manners became me towards
His Highnes, it would now be somew' hard that in my absence I should be concluded. S'' it is
a matter of that importance to me, that I dare not comitt the managem' of it to the best
Agents I can procure to act for me in my absence ; therefore I earnestly recommend to y"' kindnes
that you will continue moveing for some time to be given me for my appeareing in person at the
Councill Board ; where I hope to be the latter end of May next, and shall then cleer all things
so as may fullie satisfie the Lords of His Ma"" most hon'''* Privy Council, of my right to
Delaware, that part I meane w"='' lyeth to the Southward of y' degree of 40 Northerly latitude.
And if my unkind neighbour W"' Penn or liis Agents are able to make out that there were
Dutch seated at Delaware afore my pattent for Maryl** was granted, (w'*" will be somwh' hard to
prove) I will then make it plainly appeare that such Dutch were usurpers, and were utterly
disowu'd by the States of Holland. Of tliis I have undeniable testimonies, sucli as M'' Penn
will not withstand, and possibly I shall tlien be able to produce some thing under Penn's hand
to the same purpose. S"" I am so well armed and provided with proofes of this kind, that I
onel}' beg a personall hearing, and that you will become a Solicitor for me therein is the favour
and kindness I beg at y"' hands, w""" I will gratefully owne as becomes one that already is

Good Sir.

Y' obliged faithful! Servant

C Baltemore

To my worthy freind,
M' William Blathwaite

at Whitehall

via Sciliy

Sir JoJm Werden to Governor Dongan.

[New- York Entries, OLI. 47.]

S' James's lO"- March (Sf)
Sir

Yo"" lett" of the 4"' Dec' last and all the other papers and laws, w"'' you have sent by M"'
Talbott are rec'' and tliough the Duke be absent (at Newmarkett w"" the King) the Duls.es Com"
meete frequently to consid'' of all those matt" w'"" you have layd before y'" and resolve to make
all possible hast in letting you have y'^ result of their opinions and his R" H' ord" thereupon.

In the interum because we heare of a ship goeing hence very soone (in a day or two) before
it is possible to ripen things for you, I doe, by the Com" direccon, write y' to you, only to give
you this informacon, and to assure you y' noe time wilbe lost in speedy comeing to a resolucon
in those points y' may conduce to His R" H' service in tiiose parts and to yo'' satisfaccon, w""''
I in particular shall wish and promote every where I can.

As to yo'' mocon ab' Rhode Island (that noe time may be lost) the Com''' desire me to tell
you, that they know not wliether any Quo Warranto be brought ag" them or not, and they

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV.

desire to know w' matf there is ag*' them to ground such a processe upon, as alsoe they desire
to l\novv more particuharly \v* the advantages to the Duke maj^ be, in case he gett a patteut of
the s** Ishmd and its Dependancyes.

And in regard the Com" have already under their thoughts severall amendm" fitt to be made
in tlie long bill w'^'' contaynes the Charter of Libertyes and Priviledges, and Revenue, and y'
p''haps in this latter part it were fitt to make the s*^ amendments at the first meeting of the
Assembly (w'^'' you expect will be in May next) I am therefore desired by the Com" to hint
them to you.

1*' All goods that are to pay custome by estimate of their prime cost should be rated (ad
valorem) as they are worth in New Yorke (as was used heretofore) otherwise false invoices may
be produced to rend'" y'' goods of much lesse value than they are, and such invoices may
purposely be sent from England.

The Entry of the goods (as to their Quality) may he made according to invoice, but the rate
of their value to be sett by the Customer, and if any disagreem' be therein, to take paym' of
dutyes in kind. And the betf to establish this for the future it will doe well if you can gett
the Assembly to agree on a Booke of Rates, as is done in England, upon most usuall
Comodityes.

2. If any goods be landed they ought to pay full dut3-es; although you doe give leave to
ships who doe not breake bulke, or for such goods as remaine in the ship laden, to depart freely
to another Port.

3. One wittnesse ought to be sufficient to give testimony of any fraud relateing to the
Customes, and not two (as yo"" Bill mencons) w"^"" will be difficult in most cases to find.

Upon S' Edm*" Andros desire the Com" doe hereby recommend to you the furthering w"" all
just favour his pretension to some publique debts oweing to him, for moneys lent by him to
the inhabitants of New Yorke and Long Island.

As to the hint you give of French men comeing from Canada to live and trade in New Yorke,
the expediency thereof seemes onely fitt to be judged of by experience : but if any of y™ are
willing to come and settle and plant in yo"" governem' you will have reason to incourage them ;
only you are to weigh well whether y" French Govern' in those parts may not take offence at it,
soe as may cause some misintelligence betweene our Nations.

The Comm" are unanimous in it, that noe lands beyond the bounds of E. and West Jersey
(betwixt the Rivers) ought to be separated from yo"" governem' upon any termes. and y' you
should use great care to hinder M"" Pen and the inhabit" of both Jerseys from obstructing y*
Peltry trade of New York, and y' in ord' to y^ you should prevent all you can the uniteing of
any part of either Jerse}^ with M"" Pen (who as you observe) is very intent on his owne interest
in those parts.

I have signifyed to the Earle of Rochester that the Dukes Com" did recomend to his LordP
(and the Treasury) yo"" desires to have ,£1500 to pay yo"" debts &■= His Lords? told me he would
enquire into yo"" ace' and then I should have his farther answer ; I wish it may prove to yo""

likeing, and soe remaine

Yours &*■

J. W.

For the Hon''' Co". Dongan
His R" H' Lieu' and Gov'' of
New Yorke & its Dependancyes

44g NEVV-yORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Gerrit Van Sweerwgen's Account of the settling of the Dutch and Swedes

at the Delaware.

[ Maryland, I. B. C. 35. J

The Relation of M' Garrett Van Sweeringen of the City of S' Marie.s concerning
his knowledge of the seateing of Delaware Bay and River to y" Southward
of the 40"" Degree Northern latitude by the Dutch and Sweedes (Viz')

In the yeare 1G4S. the Dutch haveing hod bad successe in the North Riveri from whence they
had bin driven by the New England men, they resolved to looke towards the South, and
haveing information of that River otherwayes called Delaware, formerly bought by one Manheer
Godiu from the Indian.s, a Sloope was fitted out with some cargoe to trade with the said Indians
of that river. They landed first at a place called by the Indians Siconescinque where they
found out a Creeke navigable for a .sloope, as I was informed by those that had been acquainted
with these men that landed there.

These men or traders came ashoare with their goods, where they traded with the Indians &
frequenting soe much with y« Indian women, 'till they gott the country dutyes, otherwise called
the pox. and soe they named that place Whore-Kill, that is in England the Whores Creek.
Whereupon they returned home and ventured againe a second time with a considerable Cargoe ;
but remembring (as I suppose) how they had been served at the Whore-kill, they went some
ten or twelve mile higher, where they landed againe & traded with the Indians, trusting y*
Indians to come into their stores ashoare, and likewise aboard of their sloope drinking and
debauching with the Indians till they were all at last barbarously murdered, and soe that place
was christined with their blood and to this day called the Murderers-kill that is Murders Creeke.
About the yeare 1G50. as neere as I can guesse they made a third voyage into the river of
Delaware, and there cast Anchor at a point neere the mouth of Delaware river called Bomtges
hooke, but mislikeing that place they went higher up and cast anchor at the sand point now
called Newcastle; there they perceived some foure or five English families were seated about
nine miles lower on the East side of the River called Elsiugburgh, which English men were
supposed to come from Maryland or Virginia.

There is noe doubt but the Dutch much mislikeing this, they resolved to goe up the River as
high as they could, and there landed, setting up a post with the marke of the West India
Company in this manner \/\^ by which marke they claime their title to that river. Where-
upon by comand from the Generall of the Manadoes, they built a fort on the sand point where
they first landed after their mishap in the Bay ; this fort being soe built for their security
against the Indians and Christians, one Andrew Hudde being the cheife man, some times
Secretary, sometimes Conmiandant, and at other times notiiing at all, being according to
behaviour turn'd out and put in againe, according to pleasure ; which p'son I knew very well,
and have heard him and others discourse of what had happened and past in his time.

In this manner they lived a long time without any goverm' till neere the yeare 1652. when
the Sweedes did fitt out a fly boate with considerable cargoe, with another small vessell filled
with freemen and soldiers, w"" a Govcrno'' called Maidieer Prince and Younker Papagy, besides
a factor Henric Heugan and Jacob Swanson, who were to trade with the Indians.

' Qu. Couuecticut ( — Eu.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. ;|^

Upon their arriveall in Delaware they askt leave of the Dutch to refresh themselves with
water to which the Dutch yeilded not imagining they had any designe upon that place ; but the
Sweedes haveing got ashoare made y" Dutch quitt their possessions and were turned to their
shift, as before. And then the Sweedes with a[s] little right as the Dutch had done before,
possest themselves of that River ; they haveing thus lost the South River as they had afore
lost the North River, the West India Company being very poore and noe wayes able to
encounter the Sweedes, they resolved upon a protest, which they made ag' the Sweede for
dispossesseing them of their possessions: which the Sweede little reguarded.

After this the Company stated their case to the citty of Amsterdam; the Citty being full of
money doth resolve to assist the said Company in order to restore them to their former
possessions.

In the yeare 1G54 the Citt}' of Amsterdam did cause a sliip to be fitted out with thirty six
greate gunns, being called the Waegli, and manned accordingly, whereof was comander Cap'
Koning, which said Cap' and other officers I knew very well, and had relation of some of
them what was past at that time. The Sweedes in the meane time, being interlopers, keepe a
trade with the Indians : the Governo' going to Sweedland left his son in law Papagij the
goverment, and the fort at the Sandpoint which they took from the Dutch being very
inconsiderable, was enlarged by them and called Cassimeirs, and another fort builded five mile
higher was called Christina.

The head of Chesepeake Bay in Maryland was not att that time seated, and soe the
Marylanders did not much take notice either of the Sweedes or Dutch, they looking upon them
both to be onely traders and soe hereto day and gone tomori'ow; there being noe navigacon
or road betwixt the head of the Bay and Delaware, by whicli meanes the Marylanders could
be informed of the proceedings of the Dutch and Sweedes, Afterwards the Company repossest
themselves with the assistance of that frigatt called the Waegh, which y^ Citty of Amsterdam
had sent to that purpose.

In the meane time arrived a ship from Sweedland, and heareing the Dutch had got their
former possessions, tooke a greate many Indians on board theire ship upon the decke in sight of
the Dutch, and soe without any hindrance past by the fort Casimer of which the Dutch had
possession and from whence they might have sunck the Sweedes ship, but that they were
afraid of killing the Indians then on board, in that manner; for both the Nations aswell Sweedes
as Dutch did strive on both sides to please and not to disoblige the Indians, in consideracon of .
the trade upon which they wholly depended.

The Sweeds ship sailed up as high as Tenacum hideing themselves in a creeke, thereibre is
called to this day the Schuyl-kiH in English Hideing Creeke. The Sweedes yeilded themselves
np, most of their Officers went home except their Cap' and Lieuten' Henryc Heugen their factor
and Heer Lawrence theire priest;' all which persons I knew very well & have had severall
times a full relation of what was done in those dayes ; the soldiers remaineing in the country
as inhabitants amongst the Dutch who together made a considerable number, & soe became as
it were a Colony or a Comon Wealth.

The Company being soe indebted to the Citty of Amsterdam as to the setting out of a man
of warr in reduceing the South River into theire possession againe, they were resolved to make

■ Rev. Lawrence Charle-s Lokenics came to the Delaware about the year 1650, and presided over the Lutheran churches
at Tinicura and Christina. He died in 1688. Memoirs of the Historical Society of Pennsyhania, III. pt i. 109. His life
was one of considerable trials and troubles; for a record of which, see Hazard's Annals of Pennsylvania. — Ed.

J$J NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

sale of their said title unto the said Citty, which likewas was required from the other side ; soe
both parties were soon agreed, the Company being rid of their uncertain title, did not onely pay
their debt, but is supposed had monej^ to boote.

In fine the Citty of Amsterdam were made Lords and Patrons of that Colony in Delaware
River, whereof I myselfe have had a p'"usal of some papers concerning those matters.

A Ship called the Prince Maurice was provided to goe to the said Colony, a Governo'' and
Councell appointed, and a Company of soldiers consisting of about sixty men put aboard, and
I myselfe was made Supra Cargoe over the said ship and goods, there being to the number of
one hundred and eighty souls aboard the said sJiip, which sailed out of the Texell the 25'^ day
of December IG56 ; The said passengers comeing into Delaware in a ship called the Beaver,
hired at New Yorke, after the ship Prince Maurice was lost.' This was the 2-5"' day of Aprill
1657. when we toke possession of the fort now called Newcastle, and the soldiers of the West
India Company quitted the same.

After this Cap' Criger being comanded to goe for Maryland, then called by vis Virginia, upon
the Isle of Kent the ll"" day of September 1657. he returned againe and reported that the
English Governo'' was p''paring to come over to Delaware. Whereupon good watcli was kept
and the fort putt into repaire and likewise the freemen of the towne kept to their duty. Tiie
English desisting from theire designe wee had no repulse from that side.

The Governo'' and Ministers of State in Maryland comeing to understand that the Dutch and
Sweedes encreased in Delaware, that they began to make Settlem' there, and that in time it
would be a hard matter to remove them or make them sensible that they were within the
p'cincts of Maryland, which had not been much reguarded before by the Officers of Maryland ;
for in my opinion, the considered the Dutch and Sweedes onely as traders, not haveing any setled
goverm' or Governo'' before.

Now in the yeare 1659 deputyes were sent from Maryland to the town of New Ainstell, I
myselfe being then one of the Councell and Comissary Generall for the Citty of Amsterdam in that
place. The Deputies were Coll : Nathaniell Uty, Maj'' Samuell Goldsmith and M'' George Uty,
with severall persons of note in Maryland Jacob Young being then Interpreter. Coll : Uty then
produced his letters of credence, signed (Josias Fendall) and the protest was read and signed
(Phillip Calvert) wherein was sett forth (soe neere as I can remember) the injury done to the
Lord Baltemore by their unlawfull and forcible possession kept by them of those partes in liis
LoP' Province ; and that his Lop against his will should be forct to use the extremety of amies,
if that parte of his Countrey was not delivered up ; some copyes of records tending to his LoP'
purpose were produced ; what they were I cannot now remember. Whereupon the said
Deputyes were dismist, and upon the same day a rumor went all tlie towne over, that Major
Goldsmith at a house of Margarett Davies a Scotch woman did publiqucly proclaim to our
inhabitants, att least to those that were there p''sent, that all land thenceforth was to be taken
up under a Patent from my L'' Baltemore, and the land taken up already was to be held under
him by the same authority : which was very ill taken by us and wee resolved to stopp those
hott proceedings ; but upon considerations and other reasons wee past it by for that time.

Againe in the yeare 1660 did appeare att Amsterdam in Holland, Cap' James Neale, being a
person deputed from the Lord Baltimore, protesting in the name of CcBcilius Baron of Baltimore
in a manner and forme as afore the Deputyes had done att Delaware.

' Tliis vessel was wrockoil off Fii-o Inluml, L. I., on the niglit of 8th March, 1637. — Ed,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 3^5

The Company was sitting then in the new West India House in Amsterdam, where the said
James jVeale did appeare and protest by Notariall act, of the wrong done to his Lordship by
their ministers of State in America, by usurpeing and unlawfully possesseing a considerable part
of his province of Maryland, especially that part which was called by the name of Delaware
Bay, demanding not onely the restouracon of the said territory es soe unjustly detained with
satisfaction also for the injury his Lop hath sustained thereby. The West India Company
returnes a proud answer sayeing they possesse the same by generall octeroy granted to them by
the States of Holland, that they were resolved by vertue of the same octeroy to defend their
just and lawfull title, with such meanes as God and nature hath put into their hands, and other
circumstances, as may appeare by the same instrument; Which copy of protest was sent to us
att Delaware. Whereupon wee did resolve to quit the Whore-kill, thinking it better to quitt
that place then to run the hazard of weakening New Amstell. The English then came out of
Maryland, from a part now called Somersett County and drew neere the Whorekill, tradeing
with the Indians. Whereupon it was reported that the said English men began to build and
settle in that parte of the country. The Citt}' of Amsterdam thereupon did send us expresse
orders to protest against the said English men, and in case they would not remove then to
compell them by force of arms. All this while wee stood upon our defence against Maryland.

A Commander and sixtene men were sent to the Whorekill to take possession againe, but
another resolucon was taken a short time after to call the said soldiers back, and soe the
Whorekill was left againe. The Citty of Amsterdam hereby was very much discouraged, and
did absolutely incline to leave and abandon the said Colony as appeared by their writeings
and scarceuesse of goods & provisions they did send in. Whereupon I my selfe was deputed for
Holland for a whole yeare, resideing there, to remonstrate y^ condition of the said Colony, and
to encourage the Citty of Amsterdam to goe on with their designe ; which att last they undertooke
by new resolution, charging us strictly not to omitt in makeing a division betweene the English
neighbors and us to the end they might not receive any repulse from that side, as may appeare
by their owne letters written to the Governo"' and Councell att Delaware. To which end they
ordered us to build a fort upon Ritten Island,' neare where they did thinke the division might
be ; yet notwithstanding that division not to be absolutely conclusive, but provisionally ; for
wee did not intend to contest with Maryland about my Lord Baltimore his patent reaching to
the fortieth degree of latitude, but at randome, soe neere as wee could agree to draw a line
betweene the two goverments, wee being informed that the Schuilkill did lye under forty degrees
farre above Delaware tovsnie. I myselfe could never heare them speake to what degree they
p''tended^ when I was that whole yeare in Holland, neither did any such thing appeare in any
of their letters; onely agree with your neighbors in Maryland, for feare of opposicon from that
side.

In the yeare 16G4 arrived Coll. Niclas set out by his Ma''"" whereupon the fort and country
was brought under submission by S' Robert Carr as deputed with two shipps to that intent.
S'' Robert Carr did protest often to me that he did not come as an enemy, but as a freind,
demanding onely in freindshipp what was y' Kings right in that country. There was taken
from the Citty of Amsterdam and the inhabitants thereabout, one hundred sheep & thirty or
forty horses, fifty or sixty cowes and oxen, the number of betweene sixty and seventy negroes,

' The Dutch name for Reedy Island, opposite Port Penn, and a little below Pea Patch Island, in tlie Delaware rivA-. It is
laid down in the map Novi Belgii in Montanns, and in most modern maps. — En.

Vol. III. 44

346 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

brewbouse, stillhoiise, and all materialls thereunto belonging, the produce of the land for that
yeare, as corne hay &'' were likewise seized by S"' Robert Carr for the use of the King and
likewise the cargoe that was unsold, and the bills for what was sold. They also gott in their
custody, being all, to the value so ueere as I now can remember of foure thousand pounds
sterling, likewise amies powder and shott in a greate quantity, foure and twenty greate gunns
were, the greatest part, transported to New Yorke. The Dutch soldiers were taken prisoners
& given to the merchant-man that was there, in recompence of his service, and into Virginia
they were transported to be sold, as it was credibly reported by Sir Robert Carrs officers and
other persons there liveing in the tovvne. All sorts of tooles for handicraft tradesmen and all
plowgeer and other things to cultivate the ground which were in tlie store in great quantity, as
likewise a Saw Mill to saw planke ready to sett up, and nine sea buyes with their iron chaines,
great quantities of piiisicall meanes besides the estate of Governo'' Debonissa,' and myselfe,
except some household stuffe and a negroe I gott away and some other moveables S'' Robert
Carr did permitt nie to sell.

Coll : Nicklus understanding what S' Robert Carr had gott att Delaware tooke all againe
from the said Sir Robert Carr when the said Coll : came there againe in p'son (as I was
informed) being upon the way for Maryland.

There was likewise a boate dispatched to the Whorekill and there plundred and tooke
possession of all effects belonging to the Citty of Amsterdam, as alsoe what belonged to the
Quaking Society of Plockhoy to a very naile, according to letter wi'itten by one of that company
to the Citty of Amsterdam, in which letter complaint was made that the Indians at the
Whorekill had declared they never sold the Dutch any land to inhabitt.

I have omitted what past in the yeare 1659. when severall of the Dutch came away from
Delaware and sheltered themselves under the goverment of Maryland, some under p''tence that
they could not get their liveing there, and others that we had noe right or title to the land wee
inhabited, as I suppose they conjectured by the difference there was betweene Maryland &
Delaware. I myselfe went to Maryland to demand those p''sons backe againe from the
Lieutenant Generall of that Province and from the Chancello'' Phillip Calvert, with whom I
spoke, but could receive noe satisfaction as to my demand.

May 12"' 16S4.
Maryland, ss.

Memd" — Then came before us (Jarratt Vansweeringen of the City of S' Maries within this
province gent, aged eight and forty yeares or thereabouts, and haveing taken his oath upon the
Holy Evangelist by us in Councill to him administered, deposeth and saith that wliat is herein
before conteined and declared to be of his owne knowledge is the truth of his knowledge and
well knowne to him to be in manner as is sett downe; and what else herein before conteined
and declared to be the report or rumor of those times was indeed received by him as such,
from good credible and sufficient p'"sons, to be the dealeings and transactions of those times in
manner and forme as is herein before sett downe ; to the truth whereof he said Garratt
Vansweeringen hath hereunto sett his hand the day and yeare abovesaid.

(Signed) G. v. Sweringen.

' D'Hinoyossa: see ante, p. 82. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 347

At a Council held att Matapany Sewall' the twelfth day of May 16S4, the aforegoing
deposition then taken before us

Heary Darnall.

W" DiGGES.

Nicholas Sewall.
John Darnall.

Abstract of Proposals suhmitted by tioo Iroquois JS^ations.

[New-Tork Papers, I. 847.]

Abstract of the Proposalls of the Onoundages and Cayouges Sachims at New
Yorke 2. August 1684.

That the English will protect them from the French otherwise they shall loose all the Beavor
and hunting.

That they have put themselves and their lands under the Protection of the King, and have
given Susquehanah River to the Government of New York of which they desire it may be a
Branch, and under which they will shelter themselves from the French.

That Penn's people may not settle under the Susquehanah River.

They have putt them selves under the King and give two Deer Skinns for the King to
write upon them, and put a great read Seale to them, that they put all their lands under His
Ma'y and under no other Government then New Yorke.

They desire these proposalls may be sent to the King with a Belt of Wampum peeg and
another small Belt for the Duke of York. And they give Col. Dungan a Beaver to send over
this Proposall.

And my Lord Effingham is desired to take notice that Peun's agents would haue bought the
Susquehanah River of them, but they would not, but fastned it to the Government of New
York.

That being a free people uniting them selues to the English, it may be in their power to
give their land to what Sachim they please.

' Mattapany Sewalls is situate on the south side of Patu.xent river, about two miles above its mouth. It is famous in the
annals of Maryland for the surrender of its garrison in 1689, to the Protestant Associators, who, on the receipt of the news
of the revolution in England, overthrew the Proprietary government and seized the Province. McMahon's History of
Maryland, I. 237. — Ed.

348 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Earl of Perth and other .Proprietors of East Jersey to Governor Dongan.

[Xew-Tork Papers, I. 30S.]

Sir

Wee did promise our selues in j'ou a good and kind neighbour both, judging you would haue
so inclined to a Colony wherein wee are soe much concerned, And that the regard you haue to
your Maister's hounor and intrest would haue obliged you to it, considering wee are such as
haue the happinesse to claime ane interest in his fauo% Wee haue discoursed with his
Commissioners at London of these things y' were by you proposed in relation to the bringing
our Colony under the Goverment of New Yorke, and doubt not but wee haue convinced them
of the reason which induce us not to yeald to such a proposall. And wee Doubt not both the
Duke and they are fully convinced of our right in everie Respect; Both of Gouerment, Ports,
and Harbours, free trade and Navigation, and hauing spoke to the Duke wee found him verie
just, and to abhorr the thoughts of allowing any thing to be done contrary to what he hath past
under his hand and Seall ; And wee persuade ourselues you will lay aside all thoughts of
attempting what may reflect upon the Justice or honnor of Your Maister, or may giue us just
reason to complaine. Since there shall be no thing wanting on our Part that may tend to ane
adwantadgious corespondance, which as wee expect from you So shall be seriously recomended
by us to our agents and alwayes entertained. By

Your assured friends and Seruants

Perth.

Geo: M'Kenzie
J. Dkummond.
Edenbrough SS"* August
1G34.

for

Collonell Dungan

Leutant to his R. H. In New Yoark
And Commander in cheiffe of all his territories
in America.

Biike of Yorh to Governor Dongan.

[ Ncw-Tork Entrios, CLI. 48. ]

Coll. Dongan

My Com" are makeing w' dispatch they can w"' those Bills that you have sent hither, and
particularly w"" y' w'^'" conteynes the Franchises and Priviledges to y^ Colony of New Yorke.
wherein if any alteracons arc made (either in y^ forme or matter of it) they will be such as shall
be equally or more advantagious to tiie pcoi)le there, and betf adjusted to y' laws of England.
In the mean time because of some rumours I have mett w"' as if some of yo"' neighbors und"'
colour of grants from my selfe or upon some other groundless pretences endeavour all they can

LONDON DOCUMENTS : TV. 349

to obstruct y' trade of New Yorke and Albany ; I thinke it fitt bereby to recomend that to you
in an especiall manner that you may not suffer any innovacou witliin that river, nor any goods
to passe up it but what shall have paid the dutyes at New Yorke ; soe to p'"serve the cheife
benefitts of y' trade to the inhabitants and traders of New Yorke and Albany w*"" is agreeable to
y^ Laws of yo' Colony and the practice of yo'' p''decess", and necessary for the collecting those
Customes and other dutyes w"^'' must helpe to support 3'0'' governem' And if you find that y^
Inhabitants of East Jersey have any otiier way of tradeing w"" the Indians then by the River
of N. Yorke that you will use your endeavours to prevent it, and give me advise thereof w""
yo"' opinion w' is proper for me to doe in it : my desire being to preserve the Indian Trade as
entire as I can for the benefitt of the Inhabit' and traders of New Yorke preferably to all
others.

I am &''
Windsor 2G"' Aug" (S4)

To Coll. Dongan &'

Sir JoJm WerJc/i to Governor Dongan.

[ Sew- York Entries, CLI. 49. ]

S' James's 27''' Aug'' 16S4.
Sir

The Com" suppose before this can come to yo"' hands you will have rec'' a letf from me
dated 10"" March last, wherein you will have found severall particulars (by their desire) hinted
to you of such matters as then occurred to us, and since we have appl3'ed our selves more
particularly to y* rest of w' is considerable in yo'' lett" and papers brought by W'' Talbott or rec''
since.

Pemaquid The proposition 3^ou speake ab' incouragem' for erecting a fishery at Pemaquid, is

fishery. .^t .^yg wisb you may find successe in, and shall be glad you gett enough to joyne in
it, to make up such a stocke as may bring that worke to turne to ace' ; but we are not oi' opinion
that it is fitt to embarke the Duke himselfe in any extraordinary expence till yo"" aft'aires are
brought to some better degree of settlem' in those parts.

Yo' motion to have a ship to attend there to transport passengers is not fully understood by
us. It might doe well if you could name to us a man fittly qualifyed for such a trust and able
to procure first a sufficient Company of people to transporte themselves to New Yorke, and then
it may be time for us to facilitate their passage thither at their owne charge. You should alsoe
explaine whether you meane the ship that carryes over those passengers, shall alwayes remayne
there, or passe to & fro ; and if soe, to w' purpose ? there being already frequent occasions
of passage into those parts or such as are adjacent.

We shall take w' care we can to send vou supplyes of amies and ammunition as soon as
may be.

As for setting up Post Houses along the coast from Carolina to Nova Scotia, it seemes a very-
reasonable thing, and you may otter the priviledge thereof to any undertakers for y* space of 3
or 5 yeares by way of farme : reserving w' part of y^ proffitt you thinke fitt, to the Duke (not

350 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

less y" one tenth) the farmers to ace' to y^ Duke either npon oath or by inspection into their
bookes, or any other way W'' you shall judge convenient and safe for the Duke, to know the
true value thereof. And we thinke you were much in the right when you asserted that the
Dukes title to the proffitts of all Post Offices w^'in his Ma'^ dominions was not to be doubted,
but is intended over all the forreigne plantacous as well as in Europe.

The house and garden w'='' you desire to have, y' Duke designes for y^ use of the Gov"' for the
time being, soe as you may make use of y" dureing the time of Yo'' governem' there.

You mention some inhabitants in y"" east end of Long Island, who by reason of their distance
from New Y. desire a port there, and y' you approve thereof; in w'''' all that we have to say is
y' you take care y' the Dukes chardge be not increased thereby, but rather his revenue, by a
due colleccon of dutyes there ; and y' upon noe colour or pretence whatsoever the Act of
Navigacon be infringed thereby.

You say Cap' Billop will sell his plantacon' on Staten Island, and if he doe, certainely 'tis best
y'you endeavo"' to procure some inhabitant of New Yorke rather to buy it y" suffer any of those
of New Jersey to doe it; but whosoever buys land in y' island, it being under yS' governem', he
must be lyable (as well as others) to tlie Laws thereof.

We are inclinable enough to assent to yo'' mocon for a Mint, but for some reasons resolve
further to consid'' of y' matter.

Touciiing Susqueliannah River or lands ab' it or trade in it, w"'' the Indians convey to you or
invite you to, we thinke you will doe well to preserve yo'' interest there as much as possible
tliat soe nothing more may goe away to iNr Penn or ether New Jerseys. For it is apparent
they are apt enough to stretch their priviledges as well as the people of New England have
beene, wlio now probably vi^ill be reduced to reason by prosecution of the Quo Warranto w"^""
is brouglit ag*' y'".

You mencon 2 liouses nere the Fort out of repaire w"^ belong to the Duke, and we thinke
the best tiling y' you can doe would be to procure some able ten" for y"", wlio on termes of a
good long lease may oblidge themselves to repaire or rebuild y"" and pay some small annuall
rent.

Lastly, if any of tliose persons who are possessed of large tracts of lands in yo'' governem' have
not cultivated or improved the same, according to y'' rules of y' Countrey or the condicons
expressed upon granting such tracts of lands, we thinke you will doe well to call y'" to ace' for
it, by course of law, and direct w' may be just, in ord"' to the further improvem" thereof &
incouragem' to other planters y' come into those parts.

Thus far I have written to you by y" desire and in y'' name of the Dukes Comm''' and all y'
I have to adde at present is, to hand you y^ inclosed from His R" IP and to assure you y' I am
most heartily &■=

For Coll : Dongan &"=

' Tliis plaiitalion, nfterwards enlled " Bently Mnnor," laj- at the southwest end of Staten Island, and in the present town of
Westlicld. Mdps and Surveys of it are in r.and Papers, I. and II. —En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. §f§l-

Si)- John Werden to Governor Dongan.

[ New-Tork Entries, CLI. 50. ]

S' James's 1" Nov"' (84)
Sir

Yo"^ letU of Aug*' 27"" (S4) w"" the rest of those papers, all brought by L' Baxter are rec"* and
y* day have been read by the D''" Com" aud they agree that I give you the ensueing ace' of y™
for the present.

Your transaccons vv"" the Indians on tiie side of Canada doe please them well, because tliey
tend to y* continueing y* good correspondence W^"" hath hitherto beene held w"" them and w'^'' is
soe necessary for y^ preservacon of yo'' peltry trade.

You have sent the forme of a grant to Dutch men heretofore of lauds in those parts (particularly
one to Sebrandt Jonson) w"^*" you say is esteemed defective, but you do not assigne y' defect is
in it w""'' you have observed ; soe y' wants explanacon. The Cora" thinke him possessed of his
laud by a good title & no farther lyable to paym" (by vertue of his tenure) then other men are
at y' time by the laws of the Countrey. But as to Quitrents and services, it seemes reasonable
to oblidge such grantees or lessees to w' shalbe thought just by you and yo' Counsell there, in
consideracon of their being freed from the clogg at first laid upon y™ by the custome of 10 p""
Cent, w'"" hath beene since qualified by his R" H* Charter of Priviledges and Franchises. But
in y' alteracou, if you judge (w''' yo"' Counsell) y' it be y" D''" advantage, you may proceed in it,
otherwise not. And you may hereafter let the Com" know w' it is y' you assigne for the
defect in y' graunt (and such like) w*^"" (as I have said) we doe not yet find sufficiently e.xplained.

As to w' you write of Bolting Flower or Biskett, and transporting it : the Com" thinke you
are to act prudentially herein and upon well weighing the matf w"" yo'' Counsell you may
determine this there, but soe as by all meanes cheifly to incourage the City of N. Yorke,
according to the practice of yo'' predecesso" and particularly to observe how it was in S'' Edm''
Andros his time.

We cannot judge of w' you say in the trade of y* East end of Long Island, but thinke it
proper for you to adjust y' in the next Assembly, alwayes takeing care of the interest &
advantages of yo'' City of N. Yorke, that being the Staple of yo"" trade and indeed the ke\' of
yo' Countrey.

As to Ilenselaers-wicke Colony, the Com" thinke you will doe well to make any agreeni'* w"*
them for the D''" advantage, w"^ they will consent unto, but not to hurt their possessions and rights.

And as to y' quitrents of 2. 3. or 4. shillings p"' ann : in all a"" .£20 pi" anil : that you let the
towne enjoy that rent for publicke uses from yeare to yeare, but dureing the Dukes pleasure only.

You say you have appointed M'' Tho: Ruddyard' to act on all occasions there, as tiie Dukes

• Thomas RuDYAan, an eminent London lawyer, was appointed in September, 1682, Deputy Governor of East Jersey,
where he arrived on the 13th of November following. He administered the affairs of that province until the beginning of
1684, when he was succeeded bj' Gavven Lawrie. He did not fill the office of Attorney-General of New- York for any
length of time, as he was succeeded in that office by Mr. Jamis Graham, in December, 1685. He died abroad in 1B92,
leaving two sons and two daughters. His son Joun inherited liis property in West Jersey, where it is supposed lie has
descendants. His daughter Anne married Jodn West, mercliant of New-York ; after his death she became the wife of
RoBKRT Wharton, and next of Asdrkw Hasiilton, Deputy Governor of Pennsylvania. His second daughter, Margarkt,
married Samuel Wi.vder, who acted so prominent a part in the arrest and prosecution of Collector Dtre (Ante, pp. 287,
288), and afterwards married Geo. Willocks. She died at Perth Amboy — of the Episcopal church of which place, says Mr.
Whitehead, she was a most generous benefactress. — Ed.

352 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Attorney Gen"; niid tlie Com" tliinke it reasonable j'ou allow him as an honorary fee ,£5 p'
ami : and reasonable fees in speciall cases.

Cap' Brockholes his addiconall Ace' (W^"" you sent) from the 20"' Nov'' (S2) to the G"" Ocf (S3)
is (vv"" the former) in the Duke's Audit'' hands.

Touching the peny p'' pound lor tobacco carryed from Virginia to N. Yorke, the Com'" thinke
y' if good security be given in Virginia that all the Tobacco carryed thence to N. Yorke shall
come streight to England, and pay the Customes here) then they beleive it wilbe agreed (by
the Com" of the Customes here) to (piit them of y'' peny p'' pound paid in Virginia.

The Ship of Lockart and .Smith, the Com" thinke is justly seized by vertue of the Act of
Pari" and y' seizure cannot be discliarged, and direccon wilbe given by the first shipping from
the OffiC' of the Customes here, & I suppose the ship will be condemned on tryall, though the
case seeme hard upon the Owners by reason of the knavery of y" Master.

It is certainely good for you to incourage all you can, y"" Indians upon all occasions, y' they
may sticke to y^ English trade and nacon, rather y" to any others of Europe ; but you are alsoe
to act soe prudently in respect to yo'' Euroi)ean neighbours, as to give y'^ noe just cause of
complaint against you.

Touching yo'' money due from y' Treasury, I have formed}', by y* Com" desire sollicited the
Earle of Rochester, but since his Lords? is out of the Treasury (and now L"* Presid' of the
Councill) and my Lord Godolphin in y' post, and I suppose M" Trant, whose more imediate
concerne this is, will take care to soUicite there ; and I shall in all I can most readily second
any thing y' seemes soe reasonable and soe much yo'' right.

Staten Island w"'out doubt belongs to y" Duke for if S"' George Carterett had had right to it,
that would have beene long since determined, and those who broach such fancyes as may
disturbe the quiett of possessions in y' Island are certainely very injurious to y" Duke, and we
thinke have noe colour for such pretences.

It will be impossible to gett the French (as you suggest) to forbeare tradeing w"' the Indians,
but we must endeav"" by good governem' and steadyness in our dealeings w"' them, to induce
them to trade w"" us rather y" the Fr: or any other Nacon.

I suppose you will by y' same conveyance receive other letf'' from me, and I pray when you
receive any letf* from me, and take notice of y'" remember to mencon their dates (w"*" is
omitted in yo"' last) y' soe I may readily recurr to any of y'" according as you shall referr to

them.

I am fc*^
To Coll Dongan &,'"

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV, 353

Sir t/ohn Werden to Gomnior Dongan.

t New-York Entries, CLI. 52. ]

S' James's 4>i' DeC (84)
Sir

This day y* Dukes Com" have mett and I Iiave read to them yo"" lett" of the 13"^ Sepf (84)
w"' y'= postscript of the !'■ Octob'' following ; alsoe yo" of y" 7"" Octob"' (84), w"^"" are the freshest
yet come to my hands. As i'or tlie repaires of y* Forts at New Yorlie and Albany, in these
and all other expences, the Com" desire you will be as good a husband as possibly you can for
the Duke ; but it is impossible for y™ at y' distance to judge of every particular worke, and y-
soo it is left wholely to yo' pi'udence. The same is to be said touching p''mitting of Saw-Mills
or not ; y' in these you consider only y*" good of the Colony and tiie Dukes proffitt.

You desire the Duke would gett the Fr'^'' of Canada not to trade w"" the Indians, nere or
towards the side of New Yorke : but this is judged here wholely impracticable, for the Fr'=''
will never forbid their people a beneficiall trade. But you are to use yo"' best prudence and
endeavo" w"" the advice of yo"' Counsell (soe as not to shock the Gov"' of Canada, nor give him
just cause of complaint ag'' you) to discourage the trade of the Fr""" vv"" our Indians, by all the v
arts and incouragem" on yo'' part to y"" Indians, to trade rather w"" us then w^"" y" whom we
nuist endeavo"' to out trade by our industiy and by amicable wayes w"" the Indians ; and in
pursuite of these methods, your prudence and the advise of men well experienced in those
parts, must be yo"' best guides, whether in building places of strength, or titt for trade w"" the "^
Indians, in convenient places on those Lakes or Riv" j'ou speake of. And the same methods
are to be understood and used in yo' transaccons in I'emaquid or elsewhere ; alwayes avoyding
as much as possible any proceedings on our part, y' may run us into disputes w"" the Fr"'' who
in our present circumstances are not to be made enemyes.

There is nothing else considerable in those lett" above menconed, and I have nq more to
add but y' I am &'^.

To Coll. Dongan &".

Gavenwr Dongan to the Earl of Perth.

[New-York Papers, I. 309.]

My Hono'"^ Lord

I had y^ Hono' of a Letter from you & some other Proprietors of East Jersey and am
mightily surprised to find by y' letter y' I am accused to act some things to y Disadvantage of
your Colony & Dishonour of my master. Did I know my accusers & y" crime objected I
could be better able to answ'.

My Lord, yo' Lordship may beleiv me I have acted nothing unjustly to y'' prejudice of your
agents or people ; It is so far from it, y' when I found them take wrong measures I advised
Vol. III. 45

354 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

tlicrn for y' best as I tlionght both of yo"' proprietors and people what complaints they make of
me I know not, but am sure the people cry out very much against them.

What I wrote to his R" High" and his Comissioners, as his servant, I was certainly obligded
to, and to give my opinion what is Convenient for y^' Intrest of this Province, and I beleive had
j'our Lordship bin in niy^ station you would haue Rep''sented y'' great inconvenienc3's of haueing
two distinct Governments, uppon one River, yours haueing y*^ advantage of being some Leagues
nearer y" sea then wee are.

Your agents have dispersed printed papers to y"" disturbance of y'' inhabitants of Staten
Island, It hath been in the possion of liis R" High" above twenty years (except y*" little time
y" Dutch had it) purchased be Goveruour Lovlace from y*' Indyans in y"" time of S'' George
Carteret, without any p''tences 'till y'' agents made claime to it, it is peopled with above two
Hundred ffamilj^es.

My Lord to convince yo'' Lordship y' I have done nothing amiss in writing how convenient
it would be to regaine East Jersey I doe assure you y' some of the Proprietors themselves are
of y*" same oppinion, and have told me so; and to shew j'o'' Lordshipp how ftavourably I act I
am informed y' in time of other Govern" ships that came to Amboy made entry at New York,
yet during my time severall shipps have gone thither & I have desired no such thing, nor will
I untill I am assured of his R" High'' pleasure about it. It shall not be my fault if there be
not an advantagious Correspondence, who will allways endeavour to prove y' I am, MyLord,

Yo' Lordships most obedient humble Servant

Tho : DONGAN.

N. York ffebruary y"^ IS"" IGSi

Wy Lord

I had almost forgotten to tell yo' Lordshipp y' to the end a fair Correspondence may be
p'scrved between the Governments in an Act lately made by y*" generall Assembly amongst
other things almost equall priviledges were allowed to East Jersey vi^ith this Province & all y''
thanks I have is to be misrep''sented.'

Rec"" 1 April!. So.

JouDial of the Committee of Trade and Plantations.

[ Board of Trade JoumalB, V. 90. ]

jMem. On the 17"' February 1GS4

The Province of New York being devolved upon the Crown by the succession of His
Majesty to these Kingdomes, and tiie Books and Papers thereto belonging being ordered to be
sent into tlie I'lantation oflice, The following writings are this day received from S'" John
Werden. vizt —

The Charter of Francliises and Privileges to New York, not yet perfected.

' CHialmers saye, (Political Annals, 628,) that the above " spirited answer probably contributed to procure his (Gov. D'b.)
recall through the influence of his opponents with Jamks II." — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 355

The following Laws being transmitted for Confirmation, vizt.

An Act of Settlement.

An Act for defraying the public charges of each City, Town, & County.

A Bill for the due regulation of proceedings in Executions Ik,".

A Bill for repeahng of former laws about Country rates.

A Bill to prevent wilful perjury

A Bill to divide the Pro\ince iu Shires and Counties.

A Bill for a present to the Governor.

A Bill for allowance to Representatives.

A Bill to Settle Courts of Justice.

A Bill to prevent damages done by Swine.

A Bill for rewarding those who destroy wolves.

An act for Naturalizing Strangers.

An act to prevent Frauds.^

Governor Dongan to Sir John Werden.

[ Xew-Tork Ealiics, I. 6:3 - 67. ]

New York. Feb. 1S"> 16S1.
Honored Sir

Yours of the 26"" Aug' came to my hands but three days since by Martin who arrived at
Amboy.

I send enclosed the Act of Assembly w""^ I hope will bee a very satisfactory Answer to the
first Clause in the Letter.

Wee proceeded soe far in the ffishing as to subscribe 2500' and but one hundred in the name
of His Royal Highness, a report coming since from Boston and Pensilvania that this Country
was sold to one Coll : Thompson, that design was utterly broken.

The Ship desired needed to have been of noe greater burthen than 70 or SO tuns, and
being designed to goe constantly betwixt this place and Ireland and bring Passengers hither ;
their passage being paid would have been noe cost to His Ro' Highn" Care should have been
taken to have nothing done contrary to the Act of Navigation.

You are pleased to say I may set up a Post-House, but send mee noe power to doe it. I
never intended it should bee expensive to His Royal Highness it was desired by the Neighboring
Colonies and is at present practiced in some places by foot and horse Messengers.

' These are the titles of fourteen of the fifteen Acts passed in the first Session of the first General Assembly of
New-York, -which sat from the 17th October to 3d November, 1683. The title of the fifteenth is, " A Continued Bill for
defraying the requisite Charges of the Government." Transcripts of all those laws, as well as those passed at the second
Session of the same A«sembly, are in the Secretary's Office, in a book endorsed " The Duke of York's Charter of Liberties and
Priviledges to the Inhabitants of New-York, Anno 1683. M'ith Acts of the Assembly of that Year, and the Year 1684." — Ed.

356 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Iara2:oingto morrow to Conecticutt with tlie gentlemen who adjusted the limits to hnve
them signed by that Governor and myself, if you please to send the Articles of Agreement which
1 sent to bee approved of by the King and Duke, it will bee very convenient. I will doe all I
can to settle a Post Office there and if other afiiiires doe not hinder I will goe to Penaquid this
spring and endeavour to settle a Post House at Boston.

As for the Garden I doe not beleive any Gov'' will make use of it being remote from the ffort
and of noe use except for Tenements.

The house is on the other side of the Town, an alehouse, and wants much repair ; Since it
is thought fit I should not have it, I am very well contented ; I hope the flarm will not bee
refused which is but of 10" p aun and a long lease granted to S' Edmund Andross. I will doe
all I can to get a good tenant for the other two houses, tho' some are afraid of y'' title pretending
the heir is yet alive in Holland.

Pillop's Plantation is opposite to Amboy and, if vessells bee permitted to come there, and not
enter at New York, it will bee impossible to hinder y" putting goods ashore on Staten Island.
There was a report that hee intended to sell it to one of East Jersey, I think it would doe well
if you please to look into the last patent of East Jersey to see whether shipping bee obliged if
they come into Sandy-Hook to make entry at New York, the Quakers making continual
pretences to Staten Island disturbs the people, more than 200 familyes are setled on it. And
in case His Royal Highness cannot retreive East Jersey, it will doe well to secure Hudson's
River and take away all claim to Staten Island.

As for the Mint, as I ought, I submit it wholly to your judgements. There is noe way to
prevent [y'' trade] y' Indians had with East Jersey, but by running the line from Hudson's River
to Delaware and then take some course with the Indians not to goe into the bounds of East
Jersey, the bounds being already setled on Hudson's River. I beleive wee shall have a dispute
with Boston about the lands betweene Conecticut and Hudson's River, they pretending all along
to the south sea as Conecticut did. If any Colony in these Parts will flourish this will soe :
and I beleeve it better to make an end of all disputes than to delay them. I humbly begg
you will address in my behalf to the Lord Rochester to grant what I desire that soe I may pay
the debts I owe in London. My humble services to your good flather, with an assurance of my
greatest respect for you I subscribe, Sir, Your aftectionat obliged

Serv' Tho: Dongan.

The Lord Perth lias writ me a very angry letter ; the answer to it I desire you to send and
convey to him.

LONDON DOCTTMENTS : IV. 357

Veto of the Act entitled, The Charter of Liherties and Prioilege-s for the Province

of Neio - Yoi'k.

[Board of Trade Journals, V. lill.J

At the Committee of Trade and Plantations in the Council Chamber at Whitehall.
Tuesday the S"* of March 1GS4.

Present — The Kings most Excellent Majesty.

Lord Keeper Earl of Peterborough

Lord Treasurer Earl of Sunderland

Lord President Earl of Middleton

L" Privie Seale L'* Viscount Falconberg

Duke of Beaufort Lord Dartmouth

Earl of Huntington Lord Godolphin

Earl of Bridgewater ]\r Ch' of y'' Exchq'

ch^T"'"'' "^'^^ Charter of Incorporation of the Province of New York, is read, and the several

powers and priviledges therein granted being considered His Majesty doth not think fitt

Government to Confirm the same. And as to the government of New York His Majesty is pleased
to direct that it be assimilated to the Constitution that shall be agreed on for New

Letter^toCou. England, to which it is adjoining. And in the mean time His Majesty orders a letter
to be prepared for his Royal Signature directing Coll. Dongan Governor of New York

to pursue such powers and Instructions as hee shall receive under His Majesties signet and sign

manual, or by Order in Council until further Order.

It is also thought fitt that, a Conveyance offering by Captaine Baxter, another letter bee sent

to Col. Dongan from the Lords of the Council directing him to proclaim His Majest)^ King James

the Second, according to the form of a Proclamation of the 6"" instant, for continuing officers of

Government till His Majesty's pleasure bee further known.

Ohmrvatimi-s i/poii the Charter of the Province of New - York.

[New-York Papers, I. 2&3.]

Observacons upon the Charter of New York.

Cliarter. That the Inhabitants of New York shall be governed by and according to the

Laws of England.
OhseiTation. This Priviledge is not granted to any of His ]V[a" Plantations where the Act of
Habeas Corpus and all such other Bills do not take Place.

Cliart. Sheriffs and other Officers of Justice to be appointed with like power as in England.

Ohs. This is not so distinctly granted or practiced in any other Plantation.

358 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Char. That the Supreain Legislative Authority shall remain in the Governor, Councill

and the People mett in a Gen" Assembly.
Ohs: The words The Peojile met in a General Assembly are not used in any other Con-
stitution in America; But only the Words General Asscmhbj.

Char. The Exercise of the Cheif Magistracy and Administration of the govemra'

• shall be in the Gov"" assisted by a Councill ; with whose advice and consent

he shall and may govern and rule the said Province according to the laws

established.

Obs: If this oblige and restrain the Gov"" from doing anything without the Councill it is a

greater restraint than any other Gov'' is subject to.

Charter That according to the usage and practice of the kingdom of England tliere

shall be a sessions of a Generall Assembly to be called to meet once in 3

Years or oftner.

Ohservation. This is an Obligation upon the government greater than has been ever agreed to in

any other Plantation, And the grant of such a privilege has been rejected elsewhere,

notwithstanding a Revenue offered to induce it.

Char: Which Representatiues of the Province with the Governor and his Councill

shall be the supream and only legislatiue power of the said Proviiice.
Ohs: Whether this does not abridge the Acts of Parliament that maybe made concerning
New York.

Char: Tliat all Bills agreed upon by the said Representatiues shall be presented by

them to the Governor and Councill for the time being for their Approbation
and Consent.

Obs. This seems to take away from the Governor and Councill the power of framing Laws
as in other Plantations.

Char. Which Bills so approved shall be deemed a Law for the space of two years

unless the Lord Proprietor shall sigufy liis dissent within that time. That
in case the Lord Proprietor shall confirm the Laws within that time, they
shall continue in force uniill repealed by the Assembly. That in Case of
Dissent or Detenuination of two years they shall be voyd.

Obs This Term of years does abridge the King's power, and has been thought inconvenient
in other Plantations, and is different from Colonel Dungan's Listructions.

Chart. No person shall be admitted to sitt in the Assembly untill he hath taken the

Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity to the Lord Proprietor.
Obs: This must be altered at present.

Chart. And by his submission and peaceable behaviour hath demonstrated jiis

affection to the Government.
Ohs : This seems to be restrained by what follows.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 359

Chart. That the Assembly shall with the Consent of the Governor judge of undue

elections, and of the Qualifications of the Representatiues ; And with the
like consent to purge their house, and expell an}' member as they shall see
occasion.

Obs : This may be inconvenient, and is not practiced in some other Plantations.

Char : That the forfeiture for not making due Entries shall be applyed, one third to the

Lord Proprietor, one third to the Governor, and one third to the Informer.
Oh: The application to the Gov"" is unusuall.

Char: That all Christinns shall enjoj- Liberty of Conscience, so they do not disturb

the peace.
Ohs : This is practised in the Proprieties.

Char : That every publick Minister upon Long Island shall be maintained according

to subscriptions : That all Contracts made in New York for the mainte-
nance of the severall ministers shall be made good.

Obs: . This is agreeable to the Practice of New England, but not of his Ma" other Plantations.

Endorsed

Observations upon the Charter of New York.
Read 3 Mar 8t

Order in Council on the Accession of James II.

[Sew-Tork Entries, I. 58.]

is«.5fi. Feb- Mem**"™ upon the decease of the late King Charles the second of ever blessed
memory, on the sixth of February IGSi; and the Accession of His Present ISIa''' King
Vide ye Pro- Jamcs the sccoiid to the Imperial Crown of England, The Propriety of the Province
general page of Ncw York and Its Dependencies being devol^d to the Crown, the following
Letter from the Council together with the Proclamations inclosed as therein men-
tioned were sent to Coll : Dungan His Majesties Lieutenant and Gov' of New York.

Letter from, the Council to Coll: Dungan

After our hearty comedacons It having pleased Almighty God, on the sixth Day of February
last, to take to his mercy out of this troublesom life, our late Sovereign Lord King Charles of
most Blessed memory, and thereupon His late Majesty's only Brother and heir King James the
second being here pi'oclaimed Wee have thought fit hereby to signefy the same unto you, with
directions that with the assistance of the Council and other y*" principal Officers and Inhabitants
of New York, You Proclaim His most sacred Majesty according to the form here inclosed with
the Solemnitys and Ceremonys requisit on the like occasion, And inasmuch as the Propriety of

3(30 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the said Province of New York is wholly devolved upon the Crown wee doe further transmit
unto you His Majesty's most Gracious Proclamation signifying His Ma'^' pleasure That all men
bein'' in Office of Government at the decease of the late King His Majesty's most dear and
most entirely beloved brother, shall soe continue as during his late Majesty's life, until His
Majesty's pleasure bee further known, which wee doe in like manner will and require you
forthwith to cause to bee proclaimed and published in y^ Chief place or places within yo'
Jurisdiction, And soe not doubting of your ready complyance herein. Wee bid you heartily
farewell.

From the Council Chamber in Whitehall tlie lifth day of March 1GS4.

Your loving Freinds

W : Cant. C. S. Rochesjtek.
Beaufort. Arlington.
Bathe. Peterborow.

MiDDLETON. Craven.

Halifax. P.
Huntingdon.
J. Bridgewater.

Clarendon C. P. S.
Sunderland.

AlLESBURY.

John Nicholas

To our lo : Ireind

Tho : Dongan Esq"^ His Ma'-" L' & Gov" of the
Province of New York & its Dependencies in America.
And in his Absence to the Comander in cheif
for the time being at New York.

Khuj JimU'^ II. to (rovcrnoi' DoiKjcm.

[ New-York Enlrii-s, I. fill. ]

Trusty and well beloved wee gi-eet you well. Whereas, by the decease of the late King Our
most dearly Beloved Brother, And Our Accession to the Imperial Crown of this Realm Our
Province of New York, the Propriety whereof was, by the letters patents of His said Ma'^
vested in us, is now wholly devolved upon Our Royal person and annexed to Our other Dominions.
Wee doe hereby signify Our Will and Pleasure That you publish and make known the same to
all Our loving subjects within Our Province.' And as wee have been pleased, by Our Royal
Proclamation to direct that all men being in office of Government shall soe continue therein
untill further Order, soe wee doe hereby charge and require you to pursue such Powers and
Instructions as wee have formerly given you and such further Powers, Authority and Instructions
as you shall at any time hereafter receive mider Our Royall Signet and Sign Manual, or by Our
Order in our Privy Council. And that you likewise give Our said loving subjects to understand
that liaving committed to Our said Privy Council the care; of Our said Province with the
consideration of the several bills and Addresses lately presented unto us from Our Assembly
there. They may shortly expect such a gracious and sutable return by the settlement of fitting

' King Jamks II. wns ]irocliumi'<! in tlio clly of Xow-York on tlie 23d April, 1«85. Council Minutes, V. 109. — Kd.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 361

privileges and confirmation of their rights as shall bee found most expedient for Our service and
the welfare of Our said Province. And soe Wee bid you farewell. Given at Our Court at
Whitehall the 5"" day of March in the first year of Our Reign.
By his Ma'^^ Command.

The Mayor of JVew-York to Sir John Werden.

[ New-York Entries, I. 07. ]

Honb''" Sir

By the directions and Commands of our Hono*"'" Governor Wee presume to give you the trouble
of the inclosed and desire it may by your hand bee presented to His most Sacred Majesty
being an humble and submissive Address from His Majesty's Citty of New York, to condole
the loss of our late most dread and Gracious Sovereign, and congratulate His Majesty's peacable
accession to the Crown which wee heartily rejoice at And wish his Ma'^ a long peacable
and prosperous Reign over us. Wee begg your Pardon to offer one thing further and that you
will please to make His Most Sacred Ma'^ acquainted therewith. That since His Majesty liath
been pleased to separate Delaware and the two Jerseys from this his Government of New York
this Citty hath x\pparently and extremely suffered in the diminution and loss of its trade, being
thereby deprived of at least on third part thereof; and hath ever since much lesued and decayed
both in number of Inhabitants, Rents and Buildings and his Majesty in his Revenue likewise
sutlers thereby. And the remaining part of this Province, when less able, the more burthened
which with great willingness and submission they bear. But now hope that this appearing to
His Ma'y bee will find it consistent with the ease and Safety of His Subjects and his Ma'J»
interest and service to reunite those Parts and enlarge this Government Eastward And confirm
and Grant to this his Citty such privileges and Immunitys as may again make it flourish and
encrease His Ma'^"' revenue. Wee remain Hono''''' Sir,

Yo'' most humble Servants
the Mayor, Aldermen and principal Officers of the Citty of New York,

in wliose behalf I subscribe,

G : MiNuiELL Mavor.

Vol. hi. 46

362 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order in Cmivcil and Eqwrt for Quo Warranfos, dr.

[Plantations Oeneral Entries, XXXII. 230.]

At the Court at Whitehall y" 17 of July 16S5.

By y* Kings most excellent Majesty and y" Lords of his Ma'* most hon''''" Privy Council!.

A Report from y*' Right Hon''''' y'' L" of y^ Com'" for Trade & Foreign Plantation.s
being this day read at the Board in y" Words following

May it please yo'' Majesty

Wee have received from Edward Randolph Esq : Surveyo'' of yo"' Ma'* Customs in New
England several articles of high misdemeanors exhibited by him against y= Gov"' & Comp" of
y' Colony of Connecticut & against y* Gov"" & Comp» of Rhode Island & Providence Plantation
in N England upon consideration whereof wee are humbly of opinion that your Ma'^ be pleased
to refer y'= said articles to yo' Attor^ Grail, w"" order forthwith to bring Writts of Quo
Warranto against those Corporations.

Wee have also received a Lre from y" Mayor Aldermen & principal Officers of y' Citty of
New York dated y* 13"» of May last setting forth that since yo'' Ma'y hath been pleased to p''mit
Delaware & y" two Jerseys to be separated from y'' Gov""' of New York that City hath
extreamly suffered by the loss of at least one third p* of its Trade & hath ever since much
decayed in the number of Inhabitants Rents & Buildings And that yo'' Ma" Revenue doth
likewise sufftjr thereby whereupon wee likewise offer o'' opinions that yo"' Ma" Attornej^ Grail,
may have directions to consider the several Grants & Proprietyes of East & West New
Jersey & of Delaware aforemenconed & to enter y' like writs of Quo Warranto against y^
respective Proprietors if he shall find cause it being of very great & growing prejudice to yo'
Ma" affaires in y^ Plantacon & to yo'' Customs here that such independent Governments be
kept up & maintained w"'out a nearer & more Imediate Dependance on yo' Ma'^. All which
is most humbly submitted

Rochester Hallifax P.

Clarendon C. P. S. Okmo.nd
Beaufort.

Councill Chamber 15. July 1G85.

His Ma'y being graciously pleased to approve of the same is pleased to order and direct tliat
y* said Articles be & they are hereby referred to S' R' Sawyer Kn' his Ma" Attor^ Generall
who is forthwith to bring Writs of Quo Warranto against y"" Gov' & Comp'' of y' Colony of
Conecticutt & against y'^ Gov' & Comp" of Rhode Island & Providence Plantacon in New
England And it is further ordered that M' Attorney Grail do forthwith consider of y* severall
Grants & Proprietors of East & West New .Jersey & of Delaware & enter y' like writts of Quo
Warranto against y" respective Proprietors thereof if he shall find cause.

William BRiDGENrAN.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 363

MEiM :

My Lord President is desired b}^ the Eight Hon"''" y' Lords of y' Cora'"' for Trade and
Plantacons to move his Ma"' that the directions to M"" Attorney Grail that y" prosecution of
several Writts of Quo Warranto against the Propriety of the Province of Maryland & against
the Colonies of Conecticut & Rhode Island & y" Proprieties of East & West New Jersey & of
Delaware in America may be renewed & that y" Same may be prosecuted to effect.

Counciil Chamber
21 April 16S6

Croveriior Dongan to Secretary lilathwaijt.

[ Sew-York Enlries, I. 79. ]

New York. Aug' y" ll"- 16S5.
.■^r

Yo'* of the G"" of March IGSf 1 received and was heartily glad of the news that I am to correspond
with you and have soe good a freind to give the King and Council an account of what passes.

iS"^ John Werden writes that hee hath del'' up all the Papers that were immaterial to you,
soe that [I] dout doubt but that you have our Acts of Assembly. You must bee a stranger to
our Proceedings, unless you have perased the Papers concerning y" difference between our
Indians and firench and if occaision should bee, as I hope there is noe danger, I doe not know
how to Act, because S"' John Werden hath given noe answer to the letters I sent about it.

The fFrench are now quiet. Wee have a very good trade this year, and shall have much
better if wee take but the same care as the firench, by putting a little tfbrt on this side of the
Great Lake, as they have on the other. It is in the King's Dominions nearer to us than to them,
and would bee an obligation to the Indians to bring their Beaver to us, which would bee six for
one at present. I put the Arms of the Duke, now his Ma'^ upon all the Indian Castles near y*
Great Lake, and that by their own consent who have submitted to this Government. They are
a considerable people and ought to bee encouraged because they have a considerable influence
over most of the Indians in America ; The ffrench quarrel only because they cannot obtain
them which if they should they would bee troublesom to most of y" Kings Subjects in these
parts of America.

A French man of warr came within Sandy Hook, which is within 6 or 7 leagues of this
Citty, hee desired leave to Wood and Water and have fresh provisions ; upon which I sent the
Mayor, who is a ffrenchman and another ffrench merchant with the Secretary on board him to
see by what commission hee sailed; hee sent me the copie of his commission which was from
the Gov'' of Petit Guaves.* Then I called a Council and shewed it to them, who gave their
opinion that hee should have provision, wood and water, provided he did not break Bulk, sell,
barter or leave behind him any Prize Goods taken by virtue of his said Commission. When
hee had procured what was necessary for him hee went to Sea and, as I am told, meeting with

' This vessel was called La Trompeuse, and was commanded by Monsieur Le Sage. Conncil Minutes, 3d June, 1685, V. 116.
Petit Guaves or Gouyave, is probably in the island of Guadeloupe. See De IJhUs Carte des Antilles Franfoises. — Ed.

g(34 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

:i Ketch ])0Uik1 from this place to Barbados with provisions i)hindered lier. The ffreiichinan
was mounted with 30 Guns and had 200 men on bord of liim.

I sent away the packets to Virg* and they were fiiithfully dehvered and I coidd wish it were
in my power to tender any particular service to your self, who always have been very kind and
civil to mee, and I beg of you to continue your good Offices, esteeming myself happy tliat soe
good a man is in your station.

Mr Sprag the Secretary of this place will goe for England this winter and carry the Laws,
fliat were last made, with him; 1 shall then take more freedom in writing to you, both
concerning the King's concerns and my own inconsiderable aft'airs. In y*' mean time assure
you, :^'% tiiat t am with all respect, Yo" humble aflectionat Servant.

Tiio: DoxGAX.
Read 9 Oct. KiSO.

< rovernor J)<>iiijan to the Ijovil President.

[ Ncw-Yorli Enlrk's, I. S3. ]

N: York Sep' y^ IS"' 1685.
My Honored Lord

Your LqI'' of y'' 2G''' of June by His Ma'" command I received, and accordingly had it read
in Council, who were all glad to hear soe good News as his Ma''^" success against the Rebells
assured by your Lqp.

The people of this place express themselves very willing to obey the King in any thing to
their power when tlie Assembly meets which will bee in October next your LqP' letter shall be
read to them. It came very seasonably to give us a true accompt of tlie Rebellions in Scotland
and the West of England malicious and factious Reports having pestered this place wliich came
every day by tiie way of Boston.

In my opinion the King cannot doe better, than with all Expedition, to send his Governor
thither. It would certaiidy alter the way of that people very much for tiie better. And the
government I beleive with the discreet management of His ]Ma'>"' Governor, would in a short
time afford a revenue more than sufficient to maintain itself. I liave avery exact character
of those people, and cannot hear of many that are iionest and loyal, those are Mr Dudley,'

' Joseph Dudiev, sou of Thomas Dl'dley, governor of Massachusetts, was liorii in 1047, and graduated at Ilarvard in 1665.
He was agent of tlie Massacliusetts Colony in England in 1682 ; president in 1 685 ; one of Andros' Council in 1689, when he,
with other obnoxious persons, was imprisoned by the people of Boslcm. In 1601 he was a member of Governor
Sloughter's Council and Chief Justice of the Province of New-York, in which latter capacity he tried and condemned
Lieutenant Governor Lelslkr and his Secretary Milborn, to the reversal of whose attainder he subsequently offered strenuous
opposition. He next became a member of the British Parliament, Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Wight, and in 1V02
was appointed Governor of Massacliusetts, tlie affairs of wliieh Colony he administered until 1715. After a life chequered
with vicissitudes, he died in 1720 at the ago of 8even(;y-two years. Ilulehinson h.as sketched his character in the History of
Massachusetts, II. 1 93 ; and there is a notice of his life in Allm's Jiior/raphical Dli-tionari/. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 305

Mr Sliriniptou,' Mr Wharton,- ]\Tr Usher,^ and Mr Macartie witli some few others.
This place is composed most of Strangers, and wee have very few or none of ill principles
among us that I know of. If any of the English bee soe thej^ have the witt to conceal it.

A new seal of this Province is very mnch wanting, and y' people extraordinary desirous to
have y"= King's Seal to their Patents and other papers that concern them.
I am ni}' Honored Lord, with all respect

Yo"" Lo'" most obedient and

most humble Servant

Tho: DnxcAX
Rec" ■2-2 Dec. 1G85

I'ttition of Oq^fai)! JJiUaji f<> the J\iii<j.

I \,H-yorL- Paiicis, I. :»-3.]

To tlie King's aiost Excellext Ma'^ and the R' Hono'''" tlie Lords of His Ma'" most Hono'''"
Privy Council.

The Humble J'etition of Cap' Christopher Billop.

Slicii-rJh.

That Yo' Pef some time in June 16S2 as Comander of His Ma''' Ketch Deptford pursuant to
his Ma'* Commandes Seized an enterloper called the Providence of London whereof one George
Aantor was Commandei", which ship and Neagroes with all that belonged to her was condemned
in the Admiralty Court at Neaves for Trading to Guiney contrary to his Ma** Charter granted
the Royall Atfrican Company ; some time after yo'' Pef sent from Neaves to New Yorke some

' Colonel Samx-el Shbemptos was ailmitted a fi-ecraan in Boston on 7th MaN-, 1673. New England Hislorical and Genealogical
Jiegistrr, III. 242. He was appointed in 1 683 one of the Commissioners to inTestigate the contending claims to the Narraganset
oduntiy (1 Massachmetts Historical Collections, V. 219, 232), and had a share with other leading men of New England in
what is known as the Million purchase on the Merrimack river. Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society, III. 188.
Tliough his name is found in the list of Sir Edmund Andkos' Counselors, he does not appear to have been one of his supporters.
lie was rather suspectedby that Governor, and when the people of Boston rose against him, Colonel SmuMproN was among
the iirst to countenance resistance, his name being signed to the summons to Sir E. to surrender the government, Hutchiiuion's
History of Massachusetts, I. 335, 337. — Ed.

- Richard Wharton, of Boston, was interested in the Million purchase in New ITampsIiire besides lieiug proprietor of a
considerable tract in JIaine, three miles from Paggemugga river. He was appointed one of Dudley's Council on tlie consolida-
tion of the New England government in 1685, and in the following year one of Andkos' advisers; but he was soon heard
o])enIy to declare "that his Majesty in appointing Randolpu his Secretary and Register intended to inthrall the country."
'^ Afassaehiisetts Historical Collections, VIT. 155. — Ed.

' John Usher was a native of Boston, and by profession a stationer. lie was possessed of a handsome fortune, and had
been employed, when in England, by Massachusetts, to negotiate the purchase of the Province of Maine from the heirs of
Sir Ferdinando Gorges. He thus acquired a taste for land speculations ; became one of the partners in the Million piirchase,
and had sanguine expectations of gain from that quarter. On the consolidation of the New England Provinces in 1685, he
accepted office under Dudley, and next under Andros, whose downfall he subsequently shared. He thereupon proceeded to
England with his complaints; and Samuel Allen, a London merchant, having purchased, soon after, the title of the Masons
to New Hampshire and obtained a commission for the government of that Province, appointed his son-in-law, Usher, his
dep\ity. The latter assumed the government on the 13th of August, 1692. He continued, however, to reside and carry on
his business at Boston, occasionally visiting his Province. His administration was by no means either pleasant to himself
or agreeable to the people. An account of it will be found in Belknap's History of New Hampshire, Boston, 1818, I. 231.
He died at Boston, .5th of Septemlier, 1726, aged seventy-eight years. Collections of the New Hampshire Historical Society,
V. 232. —Ed.

355 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Nea'Toes with other Goods consigned to INI'' John Injons about the month of May 16S3.
by vertue of a Procuration from M'' John Bauden, John and Thomas Temple of London to INIr
John West, Clarke of the Mayor's Court at New Yorke, The said West as Attorney to Banden
&" attached and arrested in the hands of the said Injons all the Neagi-oes or eflects of the said
Neagroes which Yo"' Pef soe consigned to the said Injons, and, as Yo' Pef shall make appeare
to this Board, West illegally, unjustly and contrary to Law, obtained judgment against yo'
Pef to the Value of One Thousand One Hundred and ftbrty pound Ster. from which Judgment
Yo"' Pet" agent desired to appeale to yo"" Ma"' and Councill here which was refused.

Now may it please Your sacred Ma'^ That Province being setled as other of Yo"" Ma"
Plantations, being by Laws and Constitutions for the security of yo'' Ma'* Subjects, whereof
Yo'' Ma'y reserving appeales to be determined before yo"" Ma'-'' and Councill.

Yo'' Pef most humbly prayes yo"' Ma'^ will be graciously pleased to oider the Mayor's Court
of New Yorke to stoj) all proceedings and to send over an Appeale. That the Matter may be
argued before this Board in Order to a tinall Determination.

And Yo"" Pef as in duty bound shall ever pray.
A true Gopie

Phil: Musgkave.

[December 23, 1085.]

Order in Coiotcil on Captain, iJillojji'i' Ap2>eal.

[ New-York Kntries, I. 76. J

At the Court at Whitehall the 23'' of December 16S5.

Present — The Kings most Excellent Majesty

in Council.

Upon reading a Report from the Right Hon'''^ the Lords of y* Committee for
Trade and Plantations in the words following

May it please Your Ma''-' —

In obedience to your Majesty's Order in Council of the 4"' of December 1685. Wee have
examined the petition of Captain Christopher Billop complaining that having consigned from
Nevis some Negroes and other Goods to M'' John Injohns of New York, the said Negros and
Goods or the effects of them were attached at New York by M'' John West Attorney to M""
John Bawden and others of London where the said West obtained Judgem' against the Pef
for eleaven hundred and forty pounds Ster' ; from which sentence or Judgement the said Injohns
desired to Appeal, which was refused ; And therefore praying that the Mayor of New York
may bee ordered to stop all proceedings there, and to send over an Appeal lor a final
determination before your Majesty. Whereupon wee most humbly Offer our Opinion that your
M.TJesty bee pleased to admit y"^ pef' appeal before Your Ma'' in Council from the said sentence
in such manner as is desired by the pef within four months after notice given of your Ma'''"

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 367

pleasure the pef having first given security here for the summ of Two Thousand Pounds to
your Ma'5' to bee levied upon the Petitioner's Estate both Real and Personal, as vpell in Your
Ma'y'* province of New^ York in America, as in England or elsewhere, to answer such
determination in his said appeal as your Majesty in Council shall award. And that in the
mean time all proceedings against the said Billop in relation to this matter doe cease.

All which is most humbly submitted.

His Ma'y in Council approving the same, and being graciously pleased to admit of the pet"
Appeal hath this day thouglit fit to Order That tlie matter of the said appeal bee, and the
same is hereby appointed to bee heard before His Ma'>' in Council within four months after
notice hereof shall bee given to the Mayor of New York, who is to transmit to this Board an
account of all proceedings in his Court relating thereunto. And it is further ordered that
in the mean time all Proceedings against the said Capt: Billop or his Agent relating to this
matter doe cease ; Hee having this day given security here, according to the Report, to
answer such Determination in the Appeal, as His Majesty in Council shall award. Whereof
the said Mayor of New York, or the Mayor thereof for the time being and all others concerned
are to take notice, and give obedience hereunto. And Colonel Thomas Dungan His Ma'^'"
Governor of New York is hereby directed to take care and give order that all things bee
performed accordingly.

Memoranda as io Governor DongaiCfi Salary.

[New-York Enlrieg, I. 107.]

Mem'*'""

The Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations agree to move His Ma"" That His
Pleasure may bee signified whether any Addition shall bee made to the present salary of 400''
per anil for Coll. Dongan Gov"" of New York.

Council Chamber.
20 May 1686.

The 23 May 1 686.
Mem^"™

His Majesty being accordingly moved by their Lop" is pleased to signify His Pleasure That
Coll: Dongan doe take to himself for Salary as Gov' of New York the sum of 600" per annu
(to commence from the 2-5"' of March last) out of y' Revenue arising there.

•JLi8 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Edward Randolijli to the Colony of Connecticut.

[Xcw-T.jrk Pnrors, I. 3(11.]

Boston May y 27"' KISG
Gentl'"

I ain heartily glad ibr your sakes that I am, tliroiigh the blessing of Gotl, safe arriucd in
Boston, where on the SS"" instant Joseph Dudley Esq"' and the persons named in his Majesties
Commission of Governm' (some few indisposed excepted) entred upon y* Goveruem' w"" y"
generall Consent and applause of the people. My time forbids me to be to perticular w"" you
in that matter : I am now to Address to the consernes of yo"' Colonie ; Against w'''' I have
w"" me two Quo Warrantees as also against Road Island : his Ma"" intends to bring all New
England under one Gouernem' and nothing is now remaineing on yo" part but to think of an
humble submission and a dutifull resignation of your charter, vi"^ if you are so bardie so offer
to defend at law, whilste you are contending for a shaddow you will in the first place loose all
that part of your Colonie from Conecticot to N. Yorke and haue it annexed to that gouerm' a
thing you are to certainly enformed of already : & nothing will preuent, but yo'' obuiating so
generall a callamitie to all New England by an heartie and timely application to his Ma"" w"" an
humble submission w* an annexed petition: to grant libertie of conscience, a confirmatio &
continuation to you of all y" lands now under your Gouernement and such other fauo''* as j'o"'
wants can best dictate imto you:" A Court by y^ Gouerm' is ordered shortly to be kept in y"
Narragansit to assert the Authority graunted by His Ma"" Comission & to preuent y" Road
Islanders further incursions : I expect not tliat you trouble me to enter your Colonie as a
herauld to denounce warre ; my freindship for you enclines mee to perswade an accomoda" and
to that end desire you to send me word whether you will fauor yo"" selues so flxrr as to come to
me in Boston, where you will be witnesses of our peace & beleife of His Majesties CJoueruiu' not
such a scare crow as to alright men out of their estates & liberties rather then to submit & be
happie : Wee expect some ships will be in a moneth at farthest readie to saile fi'6 hence for
England : and therefore whateuer is intended must be compleated on your part before that time :
now if besids your selues and some members of yo'' Counsell in and about Harford yo'
Gouerno'' & Deputie Gouerno'' & Major Gold and some of yo"^ Southerne Gentle" will vouchsafe
to come as far as M"" Smith's in Narrogauset, send me & expresse a time appoint'' I question not
but you will haue Oppertunity to conferre w"^ some of y" principle Gentlem" of this Gouernm'
S'^ bless not your selues w"' vaine expectation of advantage & spinninge out of time by my
delay : I will engage tho' the weather be warme the writs will keep sound and as good as
when first landed: my great care for your aduantage swells my paper beyond y" size of a letter,
should I Wright but what were necessary twoidde tyre you & my selfe to : I desire you to
reach me out any opportunity of seruing you : and to appoint you a speedie day : that I may
communicate what is not fit now to wright : and I assure you that I am always at leisure to
serue you becaus I am resolued to continue Gentle" Your humble Seruant

Ed. RAXDoi.ru.

I greatly wrong Mr Blathwaite

if I forget to acquaint you y'

he is much your Ireind in y» matter.

Coppie of M'' Kd. JJaudolphs letter.
Rec'' 9 May 87
From Coll. Dongan.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 3G9

Instruetions to Governor Dowjan.

[ New-Tork Entries, I. lOS.]

Instructions to our Trusty and welbel"^ Thomas Dongan Esq"" Our Captain
General and Gov'' in cheif in and over our Province of New York and the
Territorys depending thereon in America. Given at Our Court at Windsor
this 29"" day of May 16S6 in y° second year of Our Reign.

With these our Instructions you wall receive our Commission imder Our Great Seal of
England, constituting you our Captain General and Gov'' in Cheif of our Province of New
York and the Territorys depending thereon in America.

1. Whereupon you are forthwith to call together the members of our Council for that our
Province, by name Anthony Brokholes, Frederick Philips, Stephanus van Courtland, Lucas
Santen, John Spragg, Jervas Baxter, and John Young Esquires.

2. At which meeting after having published in usual manner Our said Letters Patents
constituting you Our Captain General & Gov'' in Cheif of our said Province & Territorys.

3. You shall take care yo''self and alsoe administer to each of y* members of y^ Council as
well the Oath of Allegiance, as y* Oath for the due execution of their places and Trusts.

4. And you are to communicate unto Our said Council, from time to time, such & soe
many of our Instructions as you shall find convenient for our service to bee imparted unto them.

5. And Our further will and pleasure is that the members of our Council shall & may have
& enjoy freedom of Debate & Vote in all things to bee debated of in Council.

6. And altho, by our Comission aforesaid wee haue tliought fit to direct that any Tliiee of
our Counselors make a Quorum; It is nevertheless Our will & pleasure that you doe not act
with a Quorum of less than Five Members unless in case of necessity.

7. And that wee may bee always informed of the names of persons fit to supply y*" vacancys
of Our Council in New York.

S. You are to transmit unto us & to y" Lords of our Privy Council appointed a Committee
of Trade & fForeign Plantations, with all convenient speed, the names and characters of six
persons Inhabitants of Our said Province and Territorys, whom you shall esteem the best
qualified for that Trust. And soe from time to time when any of them shall dye, depart out of
our said Colony or become otherwise unfit. You are to supply y^ first number of six persons by
nominating others to us in their stead.

9. And you are from time to time to send us & our Committee of Trade & Plantations y""
names & qualitys of any members by you put into Our said Council b}^ y'' first conveniency after
yo' soe doing.

10. And in the choice and nomination of the members of our Council as also of the Principal
Officers, Judges, Assistants, Justices & Sherifs, you are always to take care that they bee men
of estate and abilitys and not necessitous people or much in debt, & that they bee persons well
aifected to Our Government.

11. You are not to suspend y* members of Our Council without good and sufficient cause.
And in case of suspension of any of them, you are forthwith to transmit unto us, & to our
Committee for Trade & ffbreign Plantations yo'' reasons for soe doing, together with y' charges
& proofs against the said persons, & their Answer thereunto.

Vol. III. 47

370 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

12. And whereas wee have been presented with a Bill or Charter passed in y"" late Assembly
of New York, containing several ffranchises, privileges & Imraunitys mentioned to be granted
to the Inhabitants of our s"* province, You are to Declare Our Will & pleasure that y"" said
Bill or Charter of Franchises bee forthwith repealed & disallowed, as y* same is hereby Repealed,
determined & made void But you are nevertheless with our said Council to continue the Dutys
& Impositions therein mentioned to bee raised untill you shall with the consent of the Council
settle such Taxes and Impositions as shall be sufficient for y^ support of our Govenim' of
New York.

13. And our further will and pleasure is that all other Laws, Statutes & Ordinances already
made within Our said Province of New York shall continue & bee in full force & vigor, soe far
forth as they doe not in any wise contradict impeach or derogate from this Commission or the
Orders & Instructions herewnth given you, till you shall, with the advice of our Council, pa,ss
other Laws in our Name for the good government of our said Province, which you are to doe
with all convenient speed.

14. And you are to transmit authentick Copies under y'' Publick Seal, of all Laws, Statutes
& Ordinances which at any time shall bee made & Enacted within Our said pi'ovince, unto Us
& our Committee for Trade & ftbreign Plantations, within three months or sooner after their
being enacted, together with Duplicats thereof by the next conveyance upon Pain of our Highest
Displeasure & of y*" forfeiture of that year's Salary wherein you shall at any time or upon any
pretence whatsoever, omit to send over y"" said Laws & Ordinances as aforesaid within y' time
above limited.

15. And if any laws, Statutes & Ordinances made & Enacted by you & Our Council or our
Gov"" & Council of New York for y* time being, shall at any time be disallowed & not approved
and soe signified by us. Our Heirs or Successors under Our or their Signe Manual or Signet or
by Order of Our or their Privy Council unto you y" s"* Tho : Dongan or to our Gov"" or Commander
in cheif of Our s'' Territorys for y« time being: Then such & soe many of them as shall bee so
disallowed & not approved, shall from thence forth cease & become Void.

16. And you are to observe in the passing of Laws, that y'= Stile of Enacting the same By
the Governor & Council, bee henceforth used and uoe other.

17. You are not to pass any Act or Order, in any case, for levying money & inflicting ffines &
Penaltys whereby y'' same shall not bee reserved to us for such publioli Uses as by y'' said Act
or Order shall bee directed.

18. And forasmuch as great prejudice may happen to Our service & y*" security of our said
province by Your absence ; for prevention thereof, you are not to presume, upon any pretence
whatsoever to bee absent from Yo"" Government without first having obtained leave for soe doing
from us in Council, Wee hereby declaring that our verbal leave or other Permission what-
soever except such leave in Council, shall not bee esteemed sufficient warrant for y"^ same, as is
particularly set forth and directed by an Order in Council bearing date y 3"* day of Novenih'-
IGSO herewith sent unto you.

19. And as wee are willing in y best manner to provide for y"^ support of y^ Government of
our said Province, by setting apart sufficient allowances to Our GoV or Commander in Clieif
residing for y"" time being within y" same, Our Will & pleasure is that when it shall iini)pi'u tliat
you shall bee absent from thence, one full Moyety of y"' Salary & of all Pertjuisits & Emoluments
whatsoever, which would otherwise become due unto you shall, during the time of yo' absence,
bee paid and satisfied unto such Gov'' or Commander in cheif who shall bee resident upon y'

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 371

place for y'' time being, which wee doe hereby order & allot unto him for his better maintenance
& for y= support of the Dignity of that our Governm'

20. You shall not suffer any publick mouy whatsoever to bee issued or disposed of otherwise
than by Warrant under j^our hand.

21. And you are to cause y'= Accompts of all such mony or Value of niony attested by you to
bee transmitted every half year to Our Committee of Trade & ftbreign plantations, and to Our
High Trear or Comiss" of our Treary for the time being, wherein shall bee specified every
particular summ raised or disposed of together with the names of the persons to whom any
payment shall be made & for what uses w"' sufficient Vouchers for every Pay"" ; to th' end wee
may bee satisfied of y' right and due Application of y" Revenue of Our said Province, and the
Territorys depending thereon.

22. You shall not remit any ffines or fibrfeitures whatsoever above the summ of Ten pounds
before or after sentence given, nor dispose of any Escheats, until you shall have first signified
unto us y* nature of y* offence, or occasion of such ffines, fibrfeitures & Escheats, with y'
particular summs or value thereof W'' you are to do with all Speed unto our High Trear or
Commiss" of Our Treary for the time being, & until you shall have received our Directions
therein. But you may in the mean time, suspend y" payment of y" s"* ffines & fibrfeitures.

23. And you are particularly not to pass any Law, or doe any Act by Grant, settlem' or
otherwise whereby our Revenue may bee lessened or impaired without our especial leave or
command therein.

24. You are to require the Secretary of our s** Province, or his Dep^ for y'' time being, to
provide Transcripts of all such Acts & publick Orders as shall bee made from time to time,
together with a Copie of y^ Journal of y^ Council, to th'end the same may bee transmitted unto
us, and to our Committee of Trade and ffbreign Plantations, which bee is duly to perform upon
pain of incurring the forfeiture of his place.

25. You shall transmit unto us by y" first opportunity a Map, with the Exact Description of
y whole Territory under yo' Governm' with the several Plantations upon it, as alsoe the
tibrtifications. And you are likewise to send a List of all Officers iuiployed under yo'' Goveram'
together with all Publick Charges, and of y' present Revenue ; with the probability of y increase
or diminution thereof under every Head or Art* of y' said list.

26. You shall not displace any of the Judges, Justices, Sheriffs or other Officers or Ministers
within our said Province of New York, without good and sufficient cause signified unto us & to
our Committee of Plantations. And to prevent Arbitrary Removals of Judges & Justices of y*
peace. You are not to express any limitation of time in y* Commissions which you are to
grant to fit persons for those Imploym" nor shall you execute y'^self or by Dep'^ any of y* said
offices, nor suffer any person to execute more offices than one by Deputy.

27. And all military Officers, upon Misbehaviour & unfaithfulness in the Execution of their
Trust, you shall suspend or discharge, as shall appear upon due examination most agreable to
Justice.

2S. You shall not Erect any Coml or Office of Judicature not before Erected or established
without our especial Order.

29. And you are to transmit unto us with all convenient speed, a particular account of all
Estabhshments of Jurisdictions, Courts, Offices, and Officers, Powers, Authoritys, fees &
Privileges granted or setled within our said Colony, to th'end you may receive our especial
directions therein.

372 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

30. You shall likewise take especial care, with the advice & consent of Our said Council, to
Regulate all Salarys & fees belonging to places or paid upon Emergencies that they bee within y'
bounds of moderation, and that noe exaction bee made upon any occasion whatsoever.

3L You shall take especiall care that God Almighty bee devoutly and duely served throughout
yo' Government : the Book of Common Prayer, as it is now establisht, read each Sunday and
Holyday, and the Blessed Sacrament administred according to the Rites of the Church of
England. You shall be careful that the Churches already built there shall bee well and orderly
kept and more built as y"" Colony shall, by God's blessing, bee improved. And that besides a
competent maintenance to bee assigned to y*" Minister of each Church, a convenient House bee
built at the Comon charge for each Minister, and a competent Proportion of Land assigned him
for a Glebe and exercise of his Industry.

32. And you are to take care that the Parish(!s bee so limited & setled as you shall find most
convenient for y" accomplishing this good work.

33. Our will and pleasure is that noe minister bee preferred by you to any Ecclesiastical
Benefice in that Our Province, without a Certificat from y' most Reverend the Lord Archbiship
of Canterbury of his being conformable to y"" Doctrine and Discipline of the Cliurch of England,
and of a good life, & conversation.

34. And if any person preferred already to a Benefice shall appear to you to give scandal
either by his Doctrin or Manners, you are to use the best means for y' removal of him; and to
supply the vacancy in such manner as wee have directed. And alsoe our pleasure is that, in
the direction of all Church Affairs, the Minister bee admitted into the respective vestrys.

35. And to th' end the EcclesiasticalJurisdiction of the said Archbishop of Canterbury make
take place in that Our Province as farr as conveniently may bee. Wee doe think fitt that j'ou
give all countenance and encouragement in y^ exercise of the same ; excepting only the Collating
to Benefices, granting licenses for Marriage, and Probat of Wills, which wee have reserved to
you our Gov'' & to y'' Commander in cheif for the time being.

3(5. And you are to take especial care, that a Table of marriages established by y*" Canons of
the Church of England, bee hung up in all Orthodox Churches and duly observed.

37. And you are to take care that Books of Homilys & Books of the 39 Articles of y* Church
of England bee disposed of to every of y' said Churches, & that they bee only kept and used
therein.

38. And wee doe further direct that noe Schoolmaster bee henceforth permitted to come from
England & to keep school within Our Province of New York, without the license of the said
Archbishop of Canterbury ; And that noe other person now there or that shall come from other
parts, bee admitted to keep school without your license first had.

39. You are to take care that Drunkeness and Debaucher)', Swearing and blasphemy bee
severely punisht ; And that none bee admitted to publick trust & Lnploym' whose ill fame &
conversation may bring scandal thereupon.

40. You are to take can; that noe man's life, member, I'reehold or goods bee taken awa)^ or
harmed in our s"* province, but by Established & known Laws not repugnant to but, as much
as conveniently may bee, agreable to the Laws of our Kingdom of England.

41. You shall administer or cause to bee administered y'' Oath of Allegiance to y"" members
& Officers of our Council, to all Judges & Justices & all other persons that hold any Office in
Our s'' Province by verlue of any Patent under our great St^al of England, or Our Seal of Our
Province of New York.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 373

42. You shall permit all persons of wliat Religion soever quietly to inhabit within j'o'
Government without giving them any disturbance or disquiet whatsoever for or by reason of
their differing Opinions in matters of Religion Provided they give noe disturbance to y" publick
peace, nor doe molest or disquiet others in y* free Exercise of their Religion.

43. You shall take care that all Planters and Christian servants bee well & fitly provided
with arms & that they bee listed under Officers and, when & as often as you shall think fitt
mustered & trained, whereby they may be in a better readiness for y* Defence of our said
I'rovince under your Government.

44. And you are to take especial care that neither tiie frequency nor unreasonableness of
remote marches, nmsters & Trainings bee an unnecessary Impediment to y"" Affairs of y''
Planters.

4-3. You shall take an Inventary of all Arms, x\mmunition & storeS remainmg in any of our
magazines or Garrisons in our said Province & send an account of them yearly to us by one of
our principal Secr^' of State, & to y" Lords of our Privy Council appointed a Committee for
Trade & Plantations.

4G. And you are alsoe to send an account of wiiat other amies and ammunition have been
brought with the publick moneys or otherwise for tlie service of Our said Province, & v" same
to transmit unto us as aforesaid.

47. And you are to take especial care that fitt Stoi-ehouses be setled througliout our said
Province for receiving and keeping of Arms Ammunition & other publick Stores.

45. In case of distress of any of our Plantations you shall, upon Application of the respective
Gov" thereof to you assist them with what aid the condition & safety of your Government can
permit.

49. And that wee may bee the better informed of the Trade of our said Province, you are
to take care that due Entrys bee made in all parts of our said Province of all Goods &
Commoditys Imported or exported from thence, and from and to what places they come & goe
And that a j^early accompt thereof bee transmitted by you unto us, by one of Our principal
Seer''* of State, to Our High Trear or y^ Commiss" of our Treary for the time being & to Our
Committee for Trade & fforeign Plantations.

50. And Our will and pleasure is that you doe from time to time, give an account of what
strength yo'' bordering Neighbours have (bee they Indians or others) by sea & Land, and what
Correspondence you doe keep with them.

51. And whereas wee are informed that some of the Colonys adjoyning to Our said Province
under color of Grants from Ourself, or upon some other groundless pretences, endeavor all they
can to obstruct the Trade of New York and Albany ; Our will and pleasure therefore is that
you do not suffer any innovation within y* River of New York, nor any Goods to pass up y«
same, but what shall have paid y* Dutys at New York, to th'end y* cheif benefit of that Trade
may bee preserved to the Inhabitants & Traders of New York & Albany ; the same being
agreeable to y" laws of our s"* Province & to former practice, as well as necessary for y*" collecting
those Customs & other Dutys which are to bee raised for the Support of Our Governm'
tliere. And if you find y'= Iniiabitants of East Jersey have any other way of trading with the
Indians than by the said River of New York, you are to use yo"' endeavors to prevent the same.
And to give us advice thereof, with your opinion what is proper to doe therein, wee being
willing to preserve the Indian Trade as entire as may bee for the benefit of y' Inhabitants &
Traders of our said Province preferably to all others.

374 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

•52. And yoii are to encourage all you can the Indians upon all occasions that they may apply
themselves to English Trade & Nation rather than to any others of Europe. But you are alsoe
to act soe prudently in respect of yo'' European neighbo" as to give them noe just cause for
complaint against you.

53. And when any opportunity shall ofler for purchasing great Tracts of Land for us from the
said Indians for small summs, you are to use yo'' discretion therein as you shall judge for the
convenience, or prejudice or advantage which may arise unto us by y*" same.

54. You are to suppress the ingrossing of Commoditys tending to the prejudice of that
Freedom which Commerce & Trade ought to have, and settle such orders & Regulations
therein, with the advice of Our Council, as may bee most acceptable to the Inhabitants.

55. You are to give all due encouragement & invitation to Merchants & others who shall
bring Trade unto Our said Province, or any way contribute to the advantage thereof; And in
particular to y'' Royal African Company of England.

56. And you are to take care that there bee noe Trading from y*" Province of New York to
any place in Africa within the Charter of the Royal African Comp^. And you are not to suffer
any ships to bee sent thither without their leaue or Authority.

57. And you are carefully to observe the Treatys concluded by us with any ftbreign prince
or State. And in case any private Inquiry' or Damage shall be offered or done to any of Our
Subjects in those parts by the subjects of any such Prince or State, You shall take care to
give us an Account thereof with all convenient speed, and not to permit or encourage reparation
thereof to bee sought in any other way than what is directed and agreed on by the said Treatys.

58. And whereas wee are informed of great Disorders & Depredations dayly committed by
Pyrates & others to the prtvjudice of Our allyes contrary to the Treatyes between us & the good
correspondence w'^'' ought to bee maintained between Chiistian Princes & States; you are to
take care that such a law, a copie whereof is herewith sent unto you bee passed witiiiu Our
province of New York, which you are to certify unto us by the first Opportunity.

59. And whereas wee think fitt for the better administration of Justice, that a Law bee
passed wherein shall bee set the value of Men's Estates either in goods of lands, under which
they shall not bee capable of serving as Jurors, you are therefore, by y* first Opportunity of
transmitting any Laws hither for our approbation, to prepare & send one for that purpose.

GO. You shall pass a Law for the Restraining of Inhuman Severitys which by all masters or
overseers may bee used toward their Christian servants, or slaves, wherein provision is to be
made that y' wilful killing of Indians & Negros may bee punished with death, And that a fit
penalty bee imposed for the maiming of them.

61. You are alsoe with y^ assistance of Our Council to find out the best means to facilitate
& encourage the Conversion of Negros & Indians to the Christian Religion.

62. You are to endeavor with the assistance of our Council, to provide for the raising of
Stocks, & building Publick Work Houses in convenient places, for the imploying of poor &
indigent people.

63. Our will & pleasure is that you doe take to yourself as Governor the summ of Six
hundred pounds Sterling per annum, from the five & twentieth day of March last, out of y"
Revenue arising in our said province. And that you cause to bee paid out of tiie said Revenue
to the several officers both Civil & Military such salarys & allowances as have been usually
paid unto them, until you shall receive our further direction therein.

' CJn. Injury? — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 375

G3. You shall not, upon any pretence whatsoever, permit any alteration to hee made in the
value of the current coyn eitlier flbreign or helonging to any of our dominions, without having
first signified unto us the reasons for soe doing & received Our pleasure therein.

64. You are to take care that all Writs hee issued in Our Royal name throughout Our said
Province and the Territorys depending thereon.

65. And for as much as great inconvenience may arise hy the liherty of printing within our
province of New York ; you are to provide by all necessary Orders that noe person keep any
press for printing, nor that any book, pamplilet or other matters wliatsoever bee printed witliout
your especial leave & license first obtained.

66. And if any thing shall happen that may bee of advantage & security to our said Province
which is not herein or by our Commission provided for; Our will & pleasure is, and wee doe
hereby allow unto you, with y'' advice and consent of Our Council, to take Order for the present
therein, giving us speedy notice thereof, that soe you may receive Our Ratification if wee shall
approve the same. Provided always that you doe not, by color of any power or authority
hereby given you, commence or declare Warr without Our knowledge and Command therein,
except it bee against Indians upon emergences, wherein the Consent of Our Council shall bee
had and speed)'^ notice thereof given unto us.

67. Lastly you shall upon all occaisions, send unto us by one of our Principal Secretarys
of State, and tiie Lords of our Privy Council appointed a Comittee for Trade & Forreign
Plantations a particular accompt of all proceedings and of tlie condition of aflairs, within
your Government.

By His Ma'y'* Command.

Committee of Trade and rjantations to tlte Governor and Council of ]\"eiv-Yorh.

[Xuw-York Entries, I. 132.]

After Our hearty Comendacons unto you, It being Altogether requisite for the welfare,
Improvem' & preservation of His Ma'J"= Colonys in America, that wee, whom His Ma" hath
appointed a Committee of his Privy Council for Trade & ffbreign Plantations, should have,
frequent Accounts & Informacons of y^ publick transactions, occurrences & condition of each
place whereby wee may bee the better enabled to give His Maf such advices as may bee best
for His Royal service & y' advantage of his said Dominions ; These are therefore, in His
Ma'5"* name, and by his express Commands, to signify His Royal Pleasure unto you y* Gov"" &
Council of His Mat^'^ Province of New York in America & y^ Territorys depending thereon, &
to y"^ Gov'' & Council thereof for y'= time being. That you transmit unto us quarterly & at four
several times in the year, a particular acco' & Journal of all matters of Importance wh(!ther
Civil Ecclesiastical or Military which shall concern His Ma"' said Province & Territorys. And
more especially wliat shall be proposed, debated or concluded in the Council upon y" framing
& passing of Laws ; As also -the present State of the Trade Outwards & Inwards, what
Obstructions you find in the Course thereof, with your opinions and observations how the state
of that Province may from time to time bee improved ; And what else you shall judge

:37G NEW-VOKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

necessary for our knowledge, and the good government thereof. W'^'' accounts & Informations
are to bee signed by you His Ma'>* said Gov'' and Council & the Gov"" & Council for the time
being, & transmitted unto us by the first Opportunity, as alsoe Duplicats thereof by the next
succeding conveyance. And you are likewise to take care that this letter bee Registred in the
Council Book of that province, to th'eud that due Obedience may bee at all times given to
this signification of His Ma'^'^ pleasure. And soe, not doubting of your Ready & punctual
execution hereof Wee bid you heartily farewell. From the Council Chamber at White Hall the

third day of June 16S6.

Your loving friends

Jeffreys C. Rochester
Albemarl Craven

J. Ernle

Tho: Chichelev

To our very loving freind Tho: Dongan Escj'
Capt. Gral & GoV in cheif of His Ma'J"'
province of New York & the Territor3's depending
thereon in America. And to the Council there,
at New York.

Ordtr to the Secretary to transmit Copies quarterhj of tJie liecordis of his Office.

[New-Tork Entries, I. 135.]

After Our hearty Commendations unto you. These are in His Ma''''' name and by his express
command to direct and require you, & y*" Secretary of His Ma'-'"' Province of New York in
America for the time being, to send unto us a particular Accompt of all things that shall pass
or bee transmitted within your said Office, with Copies or full Abstracts of all Orders & papers
that shall or ought to bee registred therein. To th'end wee whom His Ma'^ hath appointed a
Committee of His Privy Council for Trade and fforeign I'lantations may be y' better enabled
to perform y'^ Duty Incumbent on us. Which accompts, copies, & Abstracts are to bee
transmitted by you unto us. Quarterly at 4 several times in y' yeare; As alsoe Duplicals
thereof by y^ next succeeding conveyance. And that you & others whom it may concern may
at all times give due obedience hereunto, you are to make an Entry of this our letter in y^
book belonging to yo"' office, whereof you are not to fail — From the Council Chamber at
White Hall this tenth day of June 1686.

Your loving freinds

Jeffreys C. Rochester
Albemarl Ormond

Craven J. Ernle.

To our lo : freind Jolin Spragg Esq''

Sec''>' of His Ma''' Province of New York

& the Territorys depending thereon in America.

New York.

Tho. Chicheley

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 377

Co7nmi-ssio)i of Governor Dongan.

[X.'W-Tork Entries, I. ?5-107.]

James the Second by the grace of God king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland
Defender of the fiaith it'' To our trusty and welbeloved Thomas Dongan Esq'' Greeting.
Wee reposing especial trust and confidence in the prudence. Courage and loyalty of you the
said Tiiomas Dongan out of our especial Grace certain knowledge and meer motion Have
thought fit to constitute and appoint and Wee doe by these presents constitute and appoint you
the said Thomas Dongan to bee our Captain General and Governor in chief in and over our
Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America. And Wee doe
hereby require and command you to doe and execute all things in due manner that shall
belong unto your said command and the trust wee have reposed in you, according to the
several powers and directions granted or appointed you by this present Commission and the
instructions' herewith given you, or by such further powers, Instructions and authoritj-s as shall
at any time hereafter be granted or appointed you under our Signet and Signe Manual, or by
our order in our Privy Council, and according to such reasonable laws and Statutes as now are
in force or hereafter shall be made and agreed upon by you with the advice and consent of the
Council of our said Province under your Government in such manner & form as is hereaiter
expressed.

And wee doe hereby give and grant full power to you the said Thomas Dongan, after you
shall have first taken an oath for the due execution of the Office and Trust of our Captain
General and Governor in Chief in and over our said province of New York and the Territorys
depending thereon (which our said Council or any five of them have hereby full power and
Authority and are required to administer unto you) to give and administer to each of the
members of our said Council as well the Oath of Allegiance as the Oath for the due execution
of their places and trust.

And wee doe hereby give & grant unto you full power and authority to suspend any of the
members of our said Council from sitting, voting and assisting therein, if you shall find just
cause for soe doing.

And if it shall at any time happen that, by the death, departure out of our said Province or
suspension of any of our Councilors, there shall bee a Vacancy in Our said Council (any three
whereof wee doe hereby appoint to bee a Quorum) Our will and pleasure is That you signify
the same unto us by the first opportunity that wee may under our signet and sign manual,
constitute and appoint others in their Room. But that our Afiairs, at that distance may not
suffer for want of a due number of Counselors if ever it shall happen that there be less than
seven of them residing in our said province. Wee doe hereby give and grant unto you full
power and authority to chuse as many persons out of the principal ffreeholders, Inhabitants
thereof, as will make up the full number of our said Councill to bee seven and noe more.
Which persons by virtue of such choice shall bee to all intents and purposes Councilors in our
said Province untill they shall be confirmed by us,^ under our Sign Manual and Signet, the said
Council shall have seven persons in it.

' For these Instructions, See ante p. 369 — En.

- "or that by the Nomination of others by us" follows here in the copy of this Commission in the Secretary's
office. New -York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXIV. — En.

Vol. III. 48

378 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And wee doe licreby give and grant unto you full power and Authority, with the advice and
consent of our said Council or the major part of them, to make, constitute and ordain Laws,
Statutes and Ordinances for the publick peace, welfare & good Goveniment of our said
Province and of the people and inhabitants thereof and such otiiers as shall resort thereto, and
for the benefit of us, our heirs and sucessors.

Which said Laws, Statutes and Ordinances are to bee (as near as conveniently may bee)
agreable to the Laws and Statutes of this Our Kingdom of England.

Provided that all such Laws, Statutes and Ordinances of what nature or duration soever bee
within three months or sooner after the making thereof transmitted unto us under our Seal of
New York for our Allowance and approbation of them,' as alsoe Duplicats thereof liy the ne.xt
conveyance.

And wee doe by tliese presents give and grant unto you full power and Authority by & with
the advice and Consent of our said Council or the major part of them to Impose and Assess,
raise and levy such rates and Taxes as you shall find necessary for the support of our
Government of New York, to bee collected and levied and to bee iniployed to the uses aforesaid
in such manner as to you and to our said Council or y' major part of them shall seem most
equal and reasonable.

And for the better supporting the charge of the Government of our said Province, our will
and pleasure is and wee doe by these presents authorize & require you the said Thomas Dongan
and Our said Council to continue such Taxes and Impositions as are now laid and imposed
upon y" Inhabitants thereof, and to levy and distribute or cause the same to bee levied &
distributed to those ends in the best and most eipuill manner they can untiU you shall by &
with the consent of our said Council agree on and setle such other 'I'axes as shall bee sufficient
for the support of Our Government, which are to bee applied to that use and noe other.

And our will and pleasure is that you shall & may keep & use y*" publick Seal appointed or
to bee appointed by us for our Province of New York.

And wee doe further give and grant unto you the said Thomas Dongan full power and
Authority, from time to time and at any time hereafter by yourself or by any other to bee
Authorized by vou in that behalf, to administer and give the Oath of Allegiance now established
within this our Realm of England, to all and every such person or persons as you shall think
fit, who shall at any tinu^ or times i)ass into y*" said Province or shall bee resident or abiding
there.

And wee doe further give and grant unto you full power and Authority, with the advice and
consent of our said Council to erect, constitute and establish such and soe many Courts of
Judicature and publiq' Justice within our said Province and the Territorys under Yo'' Govern-
ment as you and they shall think fit and necessary for y" hearing & Determining of all Causes
as well Criminal as Civil according to Law and Equity, and for awarding of Execution
thereupon with all reasonable and necessary powers Authoritys fees and Privileges belonging
imto them ; as alsoe to appoint and Conimissionat fitt persons in the several parts of your
Governm' to administer the Oatii of Allegiance unto such as shall be obliged to take the same.
And wee doe hereby authorize and empower you to constitute and appoint Judges, Justices
of y" peace and other necessary Officers & Ministers in our said Province of New York ibr the
better administration of Justice and putting the Laws in execution. And to administer such

' "or Disallowance of the same" follows here in Commission in tlu' Secretary's office. New-York Colonial Manuscripts,
XXXIV. — Ei..

LONDON DOCUMENTS: IV. 379

Oath or Oaths as are usually given for the clue execution and performance of Offices and
places, and for the clearing of Truth in Judicial Causes.

And wee doe further by these presents will and require you to permit appeals to he made in
cases of Error from our Courts of New York, unto our Governor and Council in Civil Causes ;
provided the value appealed for doe e.xceed the summ of one hundred pounds sterl, And that
security bee first duly given by the Appellant to answer such Charges as shall bee awarded in
case the first sentence shall be affirmed.

And whereas wee Judge it necessary that all Our Subjects may have liberty to appeal to
Our Royal person in cases that may require the same; Our will and pleasure is that if either
party shall not rest satisfied with the Judgement or Sentence of Our Gov^ & Council they may
then appeal unto us in Our Privy Council. Provided the matter in diffi-rence exceed the real
value and summ of Three hundred pounds sterl^ and that such Appeal be made within one fortnight
after sentence And that security bee likewise duly given by the* Appellant to answer such
charges as shall bee awarded in case the sentence of y" Goverm' and Council bee confirmed ;
And provided alsoe that Execution bee not suspended by reason of any such appeal unto us.

And wee doe hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority where you shall
judge any Offender or Oftenders in Criminal Matters or for any ffines or forfeitures due unto us
fit objects of our Mercy, to pardon and remit all such Oftenders, ffines or forfeitures before or
after Sentence given. Treason & wilful Murther only excepted ; In which cases you shall
likewise have power, upon extraordinary occasions to grant Repreives to the Offenders until our
Royall pleasure may be known therein.

And wee doe, by these presents authorize and impower you to collate any person or persons
in any churches, chapells, or other Ecclesiastical Benefices within our said Province and
Territorys aforesaid as often as any of them shall happen to bee void.

And wee doe hereby give & grant unto you the said Thomas Dongan, by Yo" self, your
Captains & Comanders by you to bee authorized, full power and authority to levy, arm, muster,
command and iraploy all persons whatsoever residing within Our said Province of New York
and other the Territorys under your Government ; And as occasion shall serve them to transferr
from one place to another for the resisting and withstanding of all Enemys, Pirats and Rebells
both at Sea and at Land. And to transport such ffbrces to any of our Plantations in America
as occasion shall require for the defence of the same against the Invasion or Attempts of any of
our Enemys.

And them, if occasion shall require, to pursue and prosecute in or out of the limits of our
said Province and Plantations or any of them.

And, if it shall soe please God, them to vanquish apprehend and take, and being taken
either according to the law of Arms, to put to death or keep and preserve alive at your
discretion.

And to execute Martial Law in the time of Invasion, Insurrection or Warr, and during the
continuance of the same, as alsoe upon Soldiers in pay. And to doe and execute all and every
other thing or things which to a Captain General doth or ought of right to belong, as fully &
amply as any our' Captain General doth or hath usually done.

And wee doe hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority to erect, raise and
build in our Province and Territorys aforesaid or any of them such and soe many ffbrts
Platforms, Castles, Cittyes, Burroughs, Townes and ffbrtifications as you shall judge necessary.

* "Other," for "our;" in Commission in tlie Secretary's office. yeto-York Colunial Manuscripts, XXXIV. — Ed.

380 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And tlie same or any of them to fortify and furnish with Ordnance, Ammunition and all sorts
of arms fit and necessary for y' security & defence of our said Province.

And the same again or any of tliera to Demolisii or dismantle as may bee most convenient.

And wee doe hereby give and grant unto you the said Tlio : Dongan full power and
autiiority to erect one or more Court or Courts Admirall within our said Province & Territorys
for the Hearing and determining of all marine and other causes and matters proper therein to
bee heard, with all reasonable and necessary powers, authoiitys, fees and privileges.

As alsoe to exercise all powers belonging to the place and Office of Vice Admiral of and in
all the Seas and Coasts about yo'' Governm' according to such Commission, Authoritys &
Instructions as you shall receive from our self luider the Seal of Our Admiralty, or from Our
High Admiral of Our fibreign Plantations for y*' time being.

And for asmuch as divers Meetings' & Disorders doe happen by persons shipped and imployed
at Sea; And to tii' End *that such as siiall be shipt or imployed at Sea may bee the better
governed and ordered.

Wee doe hereby give and grant unto you the said Thomas Dongan our Captain General and
Governor in cheif, full power and authority to constitute and appoint Captains, Masters of
Shipps, & other Commanders, And to grant unto such Captains, Ma" of Ships & other
Comanders, Commissions to execute the law martial, and to use sucii proceedings, Authoritys,
punishment, correction and execution upon any Otlender or Offenders which shall bee mutinous,
seditious, disorderly, or any way unruly either at Sea or during the time of their abode or
residence in any of the ports. Harbors, or Bays of our said Province or Territorys, as the Cause
shall bee (bund to require according to ^Lirtial Law; Provided that nothing herein contained
shall be construed to th' enabling you or any by your authority, to hold Plea or have .Jurisdiction
of any oHence, cause, matter or thing committed or done upon the high Sea or within any of
the havens, Rivers, or Creeks of our said Province or Territorys under your Government by
any Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, Master or other Officer, Seaman, Soldier or person
whatsoever wlio shall bee in actual service and pay in and on board any of Our ships of Warr
or other Vessells, acting by Imraediat Commission or Warrant from Our self under the Seal of
our Admiralty, or from our High Admiral of England for the time being; But that such
Captain, Connnander, Lieutenant, Master, Officer, Seaman, Soldier, and other person soe
offending shall bee left to bee proceeded against and tryed as the merit of their offences shall
require, either by Commission under Our Great Seal of England of the 28 of H. S^ directs or
by Commission fioni our said High Admiral according to the Act of Parliament passed in the
13''' year of the Reign of the late King our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother of
Ever blessed Memory [entituled an Act lor th' Establishing Articles and Orders for the
regulating and better Government of His Ma'^'^ Navys Siiipps of Warr, and fforces by Sea] and
not otherwise, saving only that it shall and may bee lawl'ul for you, upon any such Captain or
Commander's refusing or neglecting to execute or, upon his negligent or undue execution of
any of the written Orders bee shall receive from you for our service and the service of our said
province to suspend him the said Captain or Commander from th' Exercise of his said Office of
CommandiM- and connnit him into safe custody either on board his own ship or elsewhere at the
Discretion of you, in order to his being brought to answer for tlu^ same by Commission either
under our great Seal of England or from our said High Admiral as is before expressed. In

' "Mutinyes" in Coinnushiun in A'l-in-ynri: Ooloiiinl Manuscripts, XXXI \'. — Eu.
'■' "us the Stiitutcj of tlu' iiStli of Ilum-y tlic «"'" — 76((/.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 381

which case Our will & pleasure is that the Cai)tain or Coininauder soe by you suspended shall,
during such his suspension and Conunitment bee succeded in his said Office by such Commission
or Warrant Officer of our said ship appointed by Our Self or our High Admiral of England for
the time being, as by the known practice and discipline of Our Navy does and ought next to
succeed him, as in case of Death, Sickness or other ordinary disability hapning to the Comander
of any Our Ships, and not otherwise; You standing alsoe accountable to us for the truth and
importance of the crimes and misdemeanors for which you shall soe proceed to the suspending
of such our said Captain or Comander.

Provided alsoe that all such disorders and misdemeanors comitted on shore by any Captain,
Comander, Lieutenant, Master, or other Officer, Seaman, Soldier or person whatsoever belonging
to any of our ships of Warr or other vessel acting by innnediate Comission or Warrant Irom
our self under the Seal of Our Admiralty, or from Our High Admiral! of Engl"* for the time
being, may bee tryed and punished according to the Laws of the place, where any such
Disorders, Offences and Misdemeanors shall bee soe committed on shore, notwithstanding such
oftender bee in Our Actual service and born in Our Pay on board any such Our ships of Warr
or other Vessels acting by inmiediat Commission or Warrant from Our Self or Our High
Admiral as aforesaid ; soe as hee shall not receive any protection (for the avoyding of Justice for
such offences committed on shore) from any pretence of his being imployed in our service at Sea.

And it is our further will and pleasure That all publick Monys raised or to bee raised within
Our said province and other y' Territorys under your Government bee issued out by Warrant
from you by and with the advice of y" Council and disposed of by you for the support of the
Government and not otherwise.

And wee doe hereby likewise give and grant unto you full power and Authority, by and with
the advice and consent of our said Council, to agree with the Planters and Inhabitants of our
said Province and Territorys aforesaid concerning such Lands, Tenements, and Hereditaments
as are now or hereafter shall bee in your power to dispose of.

And them to grant unto any person or persons for such term and under such moderat Quit-
rents, services and acknowledgements to bee thereupon reserved unto us as you by and witli the
advice aforesaid shall think fitt.

Which said Grants are to pass and be sealed by Our Seal of New York, and being entered
upon record by such officer or officers as you shall appoint thereunto shall be good and effectual
in law against us, our Heirs and Successors.

And wee doe hereby give you full power to order and appoint flairs. Marts, and Markets ; as
also such and soe many Ports, Harbors, Bays, Havens, and Other places, for the convenience
and security of sliippiug, and for the better loading and unloading of Goods and Merchandizes
as by you, with the advice and consent of the said Council, shall bee thought fitt and necessary.
And in them or any of them to erect, nominate and appoint Custom Houses Warehouses and
Officers relating thereunto. And them to alter, change, place, or displace, from time to time, as
with the advice aforesaid, shall bee thought fitt. And wee doe by these presents will, require
and command you to take all possible care lor the Discountenance of Vice and encouragement
of Virtue and good living, that by such example the Infidels may bee invited and desire to
partake of the Christian Religion.

And our further will and pleasure is That you shall not at any time hereafter, by colour of
any power or authority hereby granted or mentioned to bee granted, take upon you to give,
grant or dispose of any office or Place within our Province and Territorys, which now are or shall

382 NEW-VORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

bee granted under the Great Seal of England, any furtlier than that you may upon the vacancy
of any such Office or suspension of any Officer b}^ you, put in any ])erson to officiate in the
Intervall until the said place bee disposed of by us under the Great Seal of England, or that
our Directions be otherwise given tlierein.

And wee doe hereby require and command all Officers and Ministers Civil and Military, and
all other Inhabitants of our said Province and the Territoi-ys depending thereon to bee obedient,
ayding and assisting unto you the said Thomas Dongan in the Execution of this our Commission,
and of the Powers and Authoritys therein contained ;

And in case of Your Death or .absence out of Our said Province unto such person as shall bee
appointed by us to bee Commander in Cheif, to whom wee doe therefore by these Presents give
and grant all and singular y*" powers and Authoritys aforesaid to bee executed and enjoyed by
him during our pleasure, or until your arrival witiiin Our said Province of New York. And if
upon such Death, or absence there bee noe person upon the place Commissioned or appointed
by us to bee Commander in Cheif, Our will and pleasure is That the then present Council of
that our Province doe take upon them the Administration of the Government, and execute this
Commission and the several powers and Authoritys herein contained. And that the first
Councilor, who shall bee at the time of Your Death or absence residing within Our Province of
New York, doe preside in Our said Council, with such powers and prehemenencies as any former
president hath used and enjoyed within Our said Province or any other our Plantations in
America, untill our pleasure bee further known, or your arrival as aforesaid.

And lastly wee doe hereby declare, ordain and appoint That you the said Thomas Dongan
shall and may hold, execute and enjoy the office and Place of Captain General and Governor in
Cheif in and Over our Province of New York and the Territorys depending thereon, togetlicr
with all and singular the powers and Authoritys hereby granted unto you for and during Our
will and pleasure. In witness &-c'

Great Seale, dated 10 June 1GS6 in .

y* second year of the King.

Instructimi-s to Governor Dongan.

[ Xcw-York Entries, I. I.'!i;- 147.1

Instructions to Our Trusty and well beloved Thomas Dongan Esq our Captain
General & Gov"" in Chief of Our Province of New York & Territorys depending
thereon, for the better putting in execution the Acts of Trade and Navigation.

James 11
You are well and truly to inform your self of the Principal Laws relating to the Plantation
Trade made in the 15"' year of the reign of our most Dear and most entirely beloved Brother

' In Witnes whereof weo have caiiRcd these Our Letters to bee made pattent Witney Our Selfe att Westtiiioster the
tenth day of June In the Second yeare of Our Reign.

per Breve, de yirivato fyir/il/o

Barkee."
Commission in A'ew-Vork Colonial Afanuscripts, XXXIV. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. • 383

of ever Blessed Memory, The Act for regulating y' Plnntatiou Trade, and the Act for better
securing the Plantation Trade made in tlie 22. 2'i and 25"" years of the said Reign, being all
contained in a Book of Rates herewith del"* unto you for your further information.

You are to take notice that by the said Act of Navigation noe Goods or Commoditys what-
soever are to bee imported into, or exported out of our Province of New York or any other of
our Colonys or Plantations in any other shipps or vessels whatsoever but in such as doe truly
and without fraud belong only to the people of England or Ireland, Wales or Berwick or are of
the Build of and belonging to any of our Colonys or Plantations as the Proprietors and right
owners thereof, and whereof the Master and | of the Mariners at least are English, under y"
penalty of the forfeiture and loss of all the goods and Commoditys which shall bee imported
or exported in any other shipp or vessel : And if any goods shall bee imported or exported
contrary thereunto you are to cause seizui'e to be made thereof as alsoe of y^ Ship or Vessel
importing or exporting the same, and to direct prosecution thereof as in y* said Act is provided.
And for your information as to ffbreign built shipps wee refer you to the Act made in the 14""
year of the Reign of Our said Dearly beloved Brother, for preventing Frauds and Regulating
Abuses in Our Customes, being alsoe contained in y'' said book of Rates. And whereas it is
required that the Master and | of y^ mariners at least bee English, you are to understand, that
any of our subjects of England Ireland or the Plantations are to bee accounted English and
noe others ; and that the number of Mariners are to be accounted according to what they shall
have been during the whole voyage.

Whereas by the said Act of Navigation 'tis further enacted that for every ship or vessell which
from and after the So'" of December 16G0 shall set sayl out of or from England, Ireland, Wales
or Berwick upon Tweed for any English Plantation in America, Asia or Africa, sufficient Bond
shall be given with one surety to the Chief Officers of the Custom House of such Port or Place
from whence the said ship shall set sail to the value of 1000" if the ship bee of less burthen
than 100 Tuns, and of the summ of 2000li if the ship shall bee of greater burthen. That in
case the said Ship or vessel shall load any of the Conunoditys therein enumerated at any of the
said English Plantations that the same Commoditys shall bee by the said ship brought to some
port of England, Wales or to the Port or Town of Berwick upon Tweed, and shall there unload
and put on shore the same (the Dangers of the Seas only excepted) and for all ships coming from
any other Port or Place to any of the aforesaid Plantations, who by this Act are permitted to
trade there. That y"' Gov" of such English Plantations shall before the said Ship or vessel bee
permitted to load on board any of the said Commoditys take bond in manner and to the value
aforesaid for each respective ship or vessel ; That such Ship or vessel shall carry all the aforesaid
goods that shall bee loaded on board the said Ship to some other of our English Plantations, or
to England, Ireland, Wales or Berwick And that every Ship or vessel which shall load or take
on board any of the aforesaid goods untill such bond bee given to the said Gov' or Certificat;
produced from the officers of any Custom House of England, Ireland, Wales or Berwick, that
such bond hath been there duly given, shall bee forfeited with her Guns, Tackle, Apparel and
furniture to bee imployed and recovered as therein directed.

You are to take notice that tho' by the said Act the word [Ireland] is to bee inserted in the
condition of the bonds and permission thereby given to bring the Enumerated Plantation
Commoditys to Ireland as well as to England, Wales or Berwick, yet by the aforesaid Act for
regulating the Plantation Trade (which being expired is revived by any Act of the late Session
of Parliament,) the word [Ireland] is to bee left out of the condition of such Bonds. And you

gg4 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

are not to permit any ship or Vessel to load any of y'' enumerated goods upon any Certificat of
Bond having been given in Ireland after the first day of September 1685. But in that case
before they load any of the said goods they are to produce Certificats of Bond given in England,
Wales or Berwick, or to give bond to your self or the person !)y yuu appointed to receive the
same with good security as aforesaid. Any if any ship or vessel shall load or take on board any
of the said Comoditys until such Bond given in New York or Certificat produced from the officers
of some Custom House of England, Wales or Berwick tliat such Bond hath been tliere duly
given, the said Ship or Vessel is forfeited with her guns &" to bee recovered and divided in
manner as is therein directed.

And whereas by the afoivs'' Act made in the -J-j'" year of his snid Ma'>'' Reign for the better
securing the Plantation Trade, 'tis Enacted that if any ship or vessel which by Law may Trade
in any of our Plantations shall come to any of tliem to ship and take on board any of tlie
aforesaid Connuoditys, And that Bond shall not he first duly given with one sufficient surety
to bring the same to iMigl'' Wales or the Town of Berwick upon Tweed and to noe other place.
And there to unload and put the same on shore (the dangers of the Seas only excepted) that
there sliould bee answered and paid to the said late King, his Heirs and Successors for soe much
of y"^ said Commoditys as shall bee laden and }nit on board such ship or vessel, the Hates and
Dutys therein mentioned, you are to nnderstand. That the payment of the said Rates and Dutys
thereby imposed doth not give liberty to carry the said goods to any other place than to some
other of our Plantations or to England, Wales or Berwick and that notwithstanding tiie
payment of the said Dutys, Bond nuist bee first given to carry t!ie same goods to some other
of Our plantations or to England, Wales or Berwick, and to noe other place.

And whereas by thi^ aforesaid Act of Trade made in the 15"' year of His said Majesty's
Reign and His said Maf"' proclamation j)ursuant thereunto of the ~!4"' of Nov: in the ^27"" year
of His Reign, noe Connnoditys of the growth, production or Mauufacture of Europe (excejit
Salt for the ffishery of New England and Newfoundland, Wines of the growth of the Maderas
or Western Islands or Azores, Servants or Horses from Scotland or Ireland and all sorts of
Victuals of the growth and production of Scotland and Ireland) shall bee imported into any of
our Colonys or Plantations l)ut what shall bee bona fide and without fraud laden and ship])ed
in England, Wales, or Berwick and in shipps duly qualified, you are to use 5'our utmost
endeavors for the due observance thereof. And if, contrary hereunto, any shipp or vessell shall
import into Our Province of New York any Connnoditys of the growth production or manufacture
of Europe (but what are before excepted) of which due proof shall not bee made tiiat tlie same
were shipt or laden in sonn; Port of England, Wales or Berwick, by producing Cocquets or
Certificats under the hands and seals of the otlicers of the Customs in such Port or place where
the same were laden, such slii[) or vessel and goods are forfeited, And you are to give in charge
that the same bee seized and prosecuted accordingly.

And in order to prevent the acceptance of forged Cockets (which hath been practiced to our
great prejudice) you are to give effectual orders That for all such European Goods as by the said
Act ami Proclamation are to bee shipt in England, Wales or Berwick, Cocquets for the same in
England, Wales or Berwick bee produced to the said Collector of the Customs in our Province
of New York or to his Dep'*' there for the time being before the unlading thereof. And you are
likewise directed to give Order that noe European (Joods bee landed but by Warr' from tire said
Collector or his Deputy in the jjresence of an officer appointed b\- him. And for the better
prevention of frauds of this kind you are to take care tliat, according to the said Act of Trade,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 385

noe Ship or Vessel doe lade or unlade any goods or Conmioditys whatsoever until the Master or
Commander tiiereof shall first make known to you or such officer or other person as shall bee by
you thereunto authorized and appointed, the arrival of such Ship or Vessel with her name and the
name and Surname of her INIaster, and hath shewn that shee is a ship duly navigated and
otherwise qualified according to Law, and hath deliver'd to you or such other person a true and
perfect Inventory of her Lading together with the place or places in which the said goods were
laden and taken into the said Ship or Vessel, under forfeiture of such ship and Goods.

You are likevdse to cause eftectual Orders to bee given that all Masters of shipps not Trading
Coast-Wise from one part of our Province to another doe enter their ship with the Collector of
our Customs in our said Province or his Deputy for the time being as well as with the Naval
Officer and alsoe give in their consents upon Oath to the said Collector or his Deputy.

And whereas wee have been informed That several ships and vessels have carried great
Quantityes of the Enumerated Plantation Goods from our Colonys and Plantations to Holland,
Hamburgh, and other places without first landing the same in England (as the Law in that case
hath provided) to the great prejudice of our Customs and the Trade and Navigation of this
Kingdom ; for preventing the like frauds for the future you are every year or oftner, as there
shall be occasion, to send a List of all such shipps or Vessels as shall lade an}' of the enumerated
Plantation Commoditys within our said province of New York, or import any European Goods
(according to the form herewith delivered unto you) to the Commissi" of our Customs in England
for the time being at the Custom House in London.

Given at our Court at Wiudsor the 20"" day of June 16S6. In the Second Year of our Reign.
By His Ma'y'^ Comand

Governor Ti'eai to Governor Dongav.

[Xcw-York Papers, I. .357.] . '

Hono''''''^ Sir

Y"" by Mr Marshall I receaued and am glad to heare of your safe returne from Albanie and
was enformed by Mr Shippe of Boston as he past w"" his packet from me to yo'' bono'' that you
had full intelligence therein of affaires at Boston and our Colonie also, And concerning M''
Randolph's Letter written in great haste w*^*" was a priuate letter to my selfe and two other
gentl" in my absence the grounds of his opiuion wee know not of any calamitie to N. E. if
conecticot Col. must fall and part of it be Westward but it may be as easie for us to fall that
way as Eastward. I think I may say that by any of M'' Randolph says to moue us to encline
East-ward hath not at all p''judiced us against yo'' bono"" or yo'' Gouer'"' w"" whom we haue had
so neighbourly a Correspondence and desire it may long continue so, M'' Randolph enformes us
of a Quo Warranto y" is w"" him against this Gouerm' but we haue seen nothing (as yet) but
abide according to his Majesties proclamation and Royall pleasure be further known, waiting
w**" Sylence and patience what may be next hopeing that we shall in all things approue o' selves
his Ma"" loyall and good subjects and shall finde his priucely fauo''* and protection ibr our
encouragem' therein and request yo'' bono'' would please to render us so to his Majestic (as you
Vol. III. 49

386' NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

have opportunity) W^ is said Cap' Legge is to saile fro Boston to Londo y'^ 24"' Instant and for
all yo'' freindiy couusells and aduice 1 returne yo' bono'' many thanks and think they may be
of good use to us W^"" w"' my bumble seruice to 3^o'' bono"', 1 remaine. Yo'' bono" bumble Servant

R. Treat. G : C :
N. Haueu June y" 14"" 16S6

ffor the Right bono''" Collonell Dongan . .

Gouerno'' of bis Ma"" territory s of N. Yorke.

Oovernor Treat to Governor Dongan. > . • '

[ New-York Papers, I. 85!). ]

Milford July y" S-i 16S6.
Hono'-" Sr

I haueing so gi'eate experience of your neighbourly curtesies am imboldened to request yo''
bono''' fauor & justice for a neiglibor, vid. Dauid Bull of Senbrook who v^^as as he saith
Constable there y" last yeare and had a prisoner comitted to him and be charging a man \v"'
him wliile seeking a second to haue ciiarge also, tlie first let liim escape and cannot recouer
biai, who is known to be anointed Rogue and villaine for stealing horses et cet. And this
bearer tells me be is greatly damnified in one of our Courts for bis letting bim run away and
be bears he is fled westward, lie humbly craues yo"' bono''* good countenance and order to any
of }^our inferior Officers for bis aid and assistance if be proues to need it & desire it for bis
apprehending and securing him for justice if he proues to light on him watbin yo'' province and
you shall assure yourselfe of the like readiness to serue yo'" bono'' and it bath been no small
trouble y' could not answer yo'' desires of the same kinde w'^'' I alwayes stand ready to doe but
y*-' wilderness is wide and so mnny rogues that entertaines and conseales them y' we cannot
serue our freinds as we would.

S'' Mr. Randolph in bis laste letter to Gov"' & Companie seemes to winde up bis resolue in
stead of seruiug liis Quo Warranto to report as a priuate Gentleman lineally y' be hath such a
tiling, and y*" receat of such a letter is owned by o'' Counsel!, w""'' be saith, is sufficient for to
justitie him at White ball with out any further seruing or shewing any authority from his
Majestic at all about this Colony w'^'" way of proceeding we understand not seing its bis Majesties
proclamation to continue as we were 'till bis Royall pleasure be manifested to us and there we
stand and must doe so for ought I see yet I bane on tuesday next 6"" inst call'd our Court to
meet and Consult but what issue I know not I could be glad if any good advice from yo''
hono'' who am S''

Yo'" jiono'''* bumble Seruant

R: Treat: Go'^:

ffor the bono'"''' Gouerno""

Dongan at New Yorke. be these.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. - 387

Governor Treat to Governor Dongan.

[ New- York Papers, I. 863. ]

Hartford August S"* IGSO
Hon'^'^ S-- •'

The many obligations that I am under to your honour sufficiently prompts me to take euery
opportunity to let you know how I prise a good Corrispondance w"' your selfe and a free
Comunication of what may be for our mutuall good, and the Gouerments to w'^'^^we doe belong,
And the bearrer hereof Major Gold haueing some occation into those parts I haue desired him
to take the opportunity of visiting your Honour, to pay my respects to you, and to acquaint
you with our being serued with two Quo Warrantos bearing date July S"" 16S5 Requiring our
Appearanc, the one at S' Martin's & the other at Easter terme, and serued the 20"= of July
1686, which occationd me to desire your Honours advise, what may be the best way to manage
our affaires, soe as to obtaine his Majesties favour, and the continuance of o'' priviledges to us
as formerly. I need not enlarge on this subject, sauing only to desire your fauourable aspect,
which I am well assured of. we haue litle news from Europe of late, the last arrived from
Boston was, that Judg Palmer and M'' West haue seized about SO butts of Mallagoe & some
Brandy in the eastern part of your goueniment w"^ if lawfully seized will be a good supply of
that chearing comodity. I doe wish your honor all happines, & my selfe the favour of your
good neighbourhood continued to us, & improved for the publique aduantage, S"" I beg your
Honours favourable construction of these rude lines, I haue sent you a Copy of Mr Randolphs
letter, and if you have any news we shall take it as a great favour to haue it handed to us,
which with my best respects to your bono"' is all needfuU at present from Your Hono" most
humble Seruant

R Treat Go"-;

Since writing comes a report of a pirate lying between Rhode Island & the Vineyard, said to
haue taken & robbed three vessells, one of Caraliua, and 2 of Boston.

To ■ '

The Hon"'-''' Thomas Dongan Esq""
Gou"^ of his Majesties teritories of
New Yorke, in , - .

Amirica.

388 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order in Council res'pecting £cdesiaMical Affairs in the Colonies.

[Prirj- Council Register, I. ,Tac. E. 11. SoO.]

At the Court at Whitehall, the 27"' of October 1GS&.-

Wensday afternoon.

Present — The King's Most Excellent Majesty.

, His R" H' Prince George of Denmark

Lord Chancellor Earle of Middleton

Lord Treasurer Earle of Milfort

Lord President Earle of Tirconnell

Duke of Albemarl Viscount Preston

Lord Chamberlain • Lord Arundell of Wardour

Earle of Peterborow Lord Dartmouth

Earle of Craven Lord Godolphin

. Earle of Powis Lord Dover

^ Earle of Berkeley M'' Ch"' of y'' Excheq''

Earle of Morray, . M"' Ch"" of y" Dutchy.

Whereas his Mat'' hath thought fit to appoint Commissioners for Exercising y* Episcopal
jurisdiction within the City and Diocesse of Loudon, His Ma'^ in Council did this day declare
his pleasure that the Ecclesiasticul jurisdiction in y' Plantations shall be exercised by y" said
Commissioners, and did Order, as it is hereby ordered that the R' Hon'«^ Tiie Lords of the
Committee for Trade and I'lantations do prepare Listructions for y' Several Govcrnours in y"
Plantations accordingly.

Privy Cotmcil to Governor Dongan.

[New-Torli Entries, I. U7-149.]

After our hearty Commendations mito you. Whereas a Treaty of Peace and Good
Correspondence and Neutrality in America has been lately concluded between His Ma'" and
the most Christian King for the Mutual Security of the Trade of Both Nations, and the avoiding
of all occasions of Misunderstanding or Disputes between the Subjects of The Two Crowms,
copies whereof in English and Latin you will receive here inclosed. Wee doe therefore hereby
will and require you in His Majesty's name forthwith to cause the said Treaty to bee published
in the chief place or places of the Plantation under your Governm' and to take care that tlie
same bee duly observed and executed by His Ma'^'"' Officers and Subjects there. And whereas
by the li"" article of the said Treaty it is particularly provided that orders shall bee sent to His
Ma'y'' Governors and other Officers to proceed against all persons wlio shall arm out Privat Men
of War without a lawful Comission as Pirats ; And alsoe by the 1 '>"> Article that such of either
King's subjects who shall take Commissions ;is Privateers from any I'rince or State with whom
the other King is in Warr, shall in like manner bee jjimished as Pirats : His Majesty's express

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. ^89

pleasure is that if any such persons shall at anytime come in any the Ports of Your Government
they bee secured and proceeded against accordingly with all rigor — And soe wee hid you
heartily farewell From tlie Council Chamber in Whitehall the 2G"' day of December 16S6.
Your loving freinds

Sunderland P.
Jeffreys C. Rochester.

- ; Ormond. Middleton.

Dartmouth. (jodolphin.

Governor Duinjaitu Bcport on the State of the Province., indudinij hi.s An-s'irer-s to
certain Charges against him.

[ New- York Entries, 11. 1. ]

My Lords

I have received tiie heads of inquiry your Lop' sent to mee and indeed I have been as
industrious as possibly I could to make myself capable of giving you satisfaction And wherein
I am sliort of answering yo"' Lop^ expectation I question not but youl pardon it when you
consider that to give a distinct answer to several of your queries must require a longer time tl)an
I have yet had since their arrivall here — However to such of them as I am at present capal)le
to make an answer. I herein give yo"' Lop* I hope the satisfaction, required which are as follow

In answer to the first of your Lop' Query s.
courisof 'Phe Courts of Justice are most Established by Act of Assemlilv and thev are

Justiee. ^

1 The Court of Chancery consisting of the Governor & Council is the .Supreme Court
of tliis Province to which appeals may be brought from any otiier Court

2 The Assembly finding the inconvenience of bringing of y'= peace, Sheriffs, Constables, &
other p''sons concerned from the remote parts of this Government to New York did instead of the
Court of Assizes which was yearly held for the whole Goverment of this Province erect a
Court of Oyer & Terminer to be held once every year within each County for the determining
of such matters as should arise within them respectively, the members of which Court were
appointed to bee one of the two judges of this province assisted by three justices of the peace
of that County wherein such Court is held. Which Court of Oyer & Terminer has likewise
power to hear appeals from any inferior Court

3 There is likewise in New York & Albany a Court of Mayor & Aldermen held once in every
fortnight from whence their can be no appeal unless the Cause of Action bee above the value of
Twenty pounds, who have likewise privilege to make such by-Laws for y'' regulation of tiieir
own affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same be approved of by y^ Gov"' & Council.

Their Mayors, recorders. Town Clerks & Sherifts are appointed by the Governor

4 There is likewise in every County twice in every year (except in New York whei'e its four
times and in Albany where its thrice) Courts of Sessions held by the justices of y' peace for
resp'ive County s as in Engl"*

gOQ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

5 In every Town wt" y Govcmm' there are 3 Conimissioneres appoint'' to Lear & determin
all matters of diflerence not exceeding the value of five pounds which shall happen within the
respective Towns

6 Besides these, my Lords, I finding that many great inconveniences daily hapned in the
managem' of his Mat' particular concerns within this Province relating to his Lands, Rents,
Rights, Profits & Revenues by reason of the great distance betwixt the Cursory settled Courts
& of the long delay which thereon consequently ensued besides the great hazard of venturing
the matter on Coimtry Jurors who over and above that they are generally ignorant enough &
for the most part linked together by affinity are too much swayed by their particular humors &
interests I tliough[t] fit in Feb. last by & with y<= advice & consent of y^ Council to settle &
establish a Court which wee call the Court of Judicature' to bee held before y" Gov'' & Council
for the time being, or before such & soe many as the Gov'' should ibr that purpose authorize,
comissionat & appoint on the first Monday in every month at New-York, which Court hath full
power & authority to hear, try and determin Suits, matters and variances arising betwixt his
MaV & y^ Inhabitants of the said Province concerning the said Lauds, Rents, Rights, Profits &
Revenues

In answer to the Second

Laws in Force The Laws iu forcc are y'' Laws called his Royal Highnesses Laws and the Acts
of the General Assembly, the most of which I presume y"' Lo"" have seen & the rest
I now send over by M'' Sprag to whom I refer y"" Loi" in this point

In answer to the Third

In this Governm' there are about four thousand-foot, & three hundred Horse besides one
Company of Dragoons, of wiiich I shall bee able to give a more particular account wlien the
Muster master shall make his return

In answer to the Fourth

At New York there is a Fortification of four Bastions built formerly against the Indians of
dry stone & earth vnth Sods as a Breast work well and pleasantly situated for the defence of
the Harbor on a point made by Hudsons River on the one side and by the sound on the other.
It lias Thirty nine Guns, two Mortarpeeces, thirty Barils of Powder five hundred Ball some
Bomb-shells & Granados, small arms lor three hundred men, one Flanker, the face of the
North Bastion, & three points of Bastions & a Courtin has been done Sc are rebuilt by mee
with Lime & Morter, & all the rest of the Fort pinnd and Rough Cast with Lime since my
coming here

And the most of the Guns I found dismounted & some of them yet continue to bee soe
which I hope to have mounted soe soon as the mills can sawe

I am forced to renew all the Batterys with three-incli-Plank & have spoke for new planks
for the purpose

And the Breast-work upon the wall is soe moidtered away that its likewise needful to make

' Court of Exthoquer. The oitU'i- for its eBtiiblisliineut bears (Into lUli iJeceuibei-, 1685. Council 31 mules, V. 144. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 391

a reparation thereof. The Officers quarters liad formerly a flat Roof which I liiidiug to he
Chargeable to maintain & that it could not bee kept high, have caused a new roof to bee upon
it. As alsoe finding water to run through the Arch of the Gate I have been forc't to put a
Roof over it. I am forc't every day by reason of the rotefiess of the Timber & Boards to bee
making reparations in the Soldiers quarters or my own.

The Ground that the Fort stands upon & that belongs to it contains in quantity al)out two
acres or thereabouts About which I have instead of Pallisudoes put a fence of Pales which is
more lasting.

Tho' this Fortification bee inconsiderable, yet I could wish the King had several! of them in
these parts, — the people growing every day more numerous & they generaly of a turbulent
disposition

In this Country there is a Woman yet alive from whose Loyns there are upwards of three
hundred & sixty persons now living ■-

The men that are here have generaly lusty strong bodies

At Albany there is a Fort made of Pine Trees fifteen foot high & foot over with Batterys
and conveniences made for men to walk about, where are nine guns, small arms for forty men
four Barils of Powder with great and small shott in proportion. The Timber and Boards being
rotten were renewed this year. In my opinion it were better that Fort were built up of Stone
& Lime which will not be double the charge of this years repair which yet will not last above 6
or 7 years before it will require the like again whereas on the contrary were it built of Lime
and Stone it may bee far more easily maintaind And truly its very necessary to have a Fort
there, it being a frontier Place both of the Lidians and ffVench

At Pemaquid there is another Fort built after the same manner, as I am informed A particular
description whereof I am not capable of giving having never been there however its
rQd'cSniictu°ut' ^ great charge to this Govemm' without being any thing of advantage to it, having
Officers there with twenty men always in pay, And which makes it yet more
chargeable I am forced to send from time to time provisions and Stores thither altho' its near four
hundred miles from this place If his Mat^ were pleased that I might draw off the men and
arms from that place with the Guns being of light carriage & thatT might have leave to put them
further into the Country, I would place them where I will give your. Loi'i"* an acco' hereafter

And then if his Mat^ were further pleased to annex that place to Boston, being very convenient
for them in regard of its vicinity affording great Store of Fishery & Islands lit for thak purpose
lying all along to the Eastward of them — And in lieu of that to add to this Government
Connecticut and Rhode Island, Connecticut being so conveniently situate in its adjacing to us &
soe inconvenient for the people of Boston by reason of its being upwards of two hundred miles
distance from thence. Besides Connecticut, as it now is, takes away from us almost all the land
of Value that lyes adjoyning to Hudsons River and the best part of the River itself. Besides
as wee find by experience if that place bee not annexed to that Government it will bee impossible
to make any thing considerable of his Mat^' Customs & Revenue in Long Island they carry away
with' entring all our Oyles w<^'' is the greatest part of what wee have to make returns from this
place : And from Albany and that way up the river our Beaver and Peltry.

This Government too has an undoubted right to it by Charter which his late Ma"' of Blessed
Memory granted to our present King. And indeed if the form of the (jovernm' bee altered,
their people will rather choose to come under this than that Governm' of Boston, as yo"' Lo''p* will
p''ceive by their present Gov" Ires directed to mee

392 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And as for East Jersey it being situate on the other side of Hudsons River & between us

and where the river disembogues itself into the sea; paying noe Custom & having

East & West likewise, the advantage of having; better land cSc most of tlie Settlers there out of this

Governm' Wee are like to bee deserted by a great many of our Merchants whoe

intend to settle there if not annexed to this Government.

Last year two or three ships came in there with goods & I am sure that that Country cannot,
noe not with the help of West Jersey consume one thousand Lb in goods in two years soe that
the rest of these Goods must have been run into this Governm' without paying his May* Customs,
and indeed theres noe possibility of preventing it

And as for Beaver and Peltry its impossible to hinder its being carried tliither, the Indians
value not the length of their journey soe as they can come to a good market which those
people can better afford them than wee, they paying noe Custom nor Excise inwards or
outwards.

An other inconveniency by the Governments remaining as it does is that privateers and others
can come within Sandy Hook and take what Provisions and Goods they please from that Side.
Aisoe very often shipps bound to tliis place break bulk there & run their Goods into that Colony
with intent afterwards to import the same privately & at more leisure into this Province
notwithstanding their Oath, they salving themselves witli this evasion that that place is not in
this Government — To day an Interloper landed five Tun and one half ol' teeth there To prevent
all which inconveniences and for the securing of this place irom Enemys, I desire to have an
order to make up a small Fort with twelve guns upon Sandy Hook the Channell there being
soe near the shore tiiat noe vessel can goe in nor out but she must come soe near the Point that
from on board one might toss a biscuit Cake on Shore

If the Proprietors would rightly consider it, they would find it their own Interest that that
place should bee annexed to this Government for they are at a greater charge for maintaining
the present Governm't than the whole Profits of the Province (which is by quit Kents) will
amount unto ; for they are at the whole Charge, the Country allowing nothing towards its
support soe that had they not the charge of the Governm' they might put that money into their
own pockets *

And indeed to make Amboy a port will be no less inconvenient for the reasons afore
mentioned neighbouring Colonys being not come to that p'^fection but that one Port may
sufUcientl^ serve us all

We in this Government look upon that Bay that runs into the Sea at Sandy Hook to bee

Hudsons River, therefore there being a clause in my Instructions directing mee

ai''sandy''Xdk ^hat I cause all vessels that come into Hudsons River to Enter at New York, I

desire to know whether his Maf intends thereby those Vessels that come within

Sandy-Hook, the people of East Jersey pretending a right to the River soe farr as their

Province extends which is eighteen miles up the River to the Northward of this Place

West Jersey remaining as it does will be noe less inconvenient to this Government for the
same reasons as East Jersey, they botii making but one Neck of Land and that soe near situate
to us that its more for their convenience to have commerce here than anywhere else, & under
those circumstances that if there were a Warr either with Christians or Indians they would not
bee able to defend themselves without the assistance of this Governm'

To bee short, there is an absolute necessity those Provinces and that of Coimecticut bee
annexed

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 893

The three lower Countys of Pensyivania have been a dependency on this Place, & a great
many of the Inhabitants persons that removed thither from tliis Govormt. and I doe not beleive
it was his MaV^ intention to annex it to Pensyivania nor to have it subject to the same Laws,
it being the Kings own Land, the doing whereof by iVP Pen there has been of great detriment
to this Place in hindring the Tobacco to come liither as formerly, for then there came two shipps
for one tliat comes now; Beaver & Peltry taking up but small Stowage in Shipps

And indeed it were in my opinion very necessary for the advantage of this Place and
increase of his Maty' Revenues that it were soe ordered that the Tobacco of these Countrys
may bee imported hither without paying there the duty of one Peny p"' Pound, and then wee
should not bee at such streiglits for returns, their Trade would much increase and this Place
become a Magazin for the Neighbouring Provinces, & care taken that the Tobacco bee duly
returned to England whereas now a great part of it goes another way and soe its very
necessary that the Collector of this Place should be Collector of that River for the enumerated
commoditys. And wee will have such regard to the advantage of this Port that wee'l suffer
noe fraud to bee committed there nor noe Tobacco to be exported but what goes either directly
for England or this Place

Besides wee find the contrary to bee very inconvenient in tliis that whereas formerly the
damnified Tobacco which came from thence not fit for England wee made up in Rolls & sent
y" same up the River to the Lidians who in exchange gave in Beaver «& Peltr}', for want
whereof his Mat^" Revenue here is much impaired inas moch as the Indians are therefore forc't
either to Plant the Tobacco themselves or to goe where they can be furnished with it, & there
carry their Beavor and Peltry (they being of that temper that they had rather want clothes
than Tobacco) by which means his Maf' Revenue sustains a double loss, one in the ten Per
Cent such Tobacco pays Custom up the River, & the other in the Custom of such Beaver and
Peltry as the same, would produce

Further if Pensyivania bee continued as by Charter, running five degrees to the Westward it
will take in the most of the five Nations that lye to the Westward of Albany, and the whole
Beaver & Peltry Trade of that Place, the consequence whereof vsdll bee the Depopulation of
this Governm' for the people must follow the Trade. Those Indians & the people of this
Government have been in continued peace & amity one with another these fifty years. And
those Indians about forty years agoe did annex their Lands to this Governm' & have ever since
constantly renewed the same with every Governor that has been here both in the time of the
Dutch & the English and in particular to myself who have given them largely in consideration
of their lands And I am certainly informed, that they have declared they will goe and live on
y^ other side of the lake than bee under any other Goverm' on this than ours. Endeavors
have been used (tho to noe purpose) to p''suade some of our Traders who speak the language
to goe and live upon the Susquehanna River tho I cannot yet find out by whom this has been
made

The five Indian Nations are the most warlike people in America, & are a bulwark between
us & the French & all other Indians they goe as far as the South Sea the Nortli-West Passage
& Florida to Warr. New England in their last Warr with the Indians had been ruined, had
not S"' Edmund Andros sent some of those Nations to their assistance And indeed they are
soe considerable that all the Indians in these parts of America are Tributareys to tliem. I
suffer noe Christians to converse with them any where but at Albany and that not without my
licence.

Vol. III. 50

394 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Since I came here the people of Boston have sent them presents in acknowledgement of their
favor and friendship. And I was forc't to goe with my Lord Effingham to bury his hatchet and
theirs which is their way of making peace.

I have sent herewith what the Nations that conquered the Susquehannas desired

Indian proposals ' *

& prvseut. ^f jjjp ^^j,^g jj-^ j^^y Lq|.(| Effingliams presence And I beleive it to be of dangerous

consequence if denyed.

Tiiis Government lias always been and still is at a great charge to keep them peaceable &
annexed to this Government which is of that moment that upon any occasion I can have three
or four thousand of their men at a call

I cannot beleive tiiat ever it was the Kings intention to grant away soe
forlii^'firavet considerable a part of this government which has been so long appropriated to
it & even the people think it as a part of themselves and would be much troubled
at a separation from soe good and ancient neighbours that at first of their own free wills became
soe and have ever since continued with such constancy to desire and maintain a mutual friendship
and correspondence If therefore his Mat^ were pleased to have a line run from 41d and 40m
in Delaware River to the Falls upon the Susquehanna,' and to let M' Pen keep all below that it
would be sufficient for him the bounds below it being conjectured to contain more than all
England besides the lower Coantys whicli is near upon 100. miles from the Cape up the River;
And in breadth more tlian thirty miles, as is generaly beleeved

To preserve the Beaver & Peltry Trade for this and Albany and to bee an encouragement to
Our Beever Hunters I desire I may have order to erect a Campague Fort upon Delaware in
41d 40m ; another upon the Susquehanna where his Maf shall think fit M"" Pens bounds shall
terminate. And another at Oneigra near the Great Lake in the way where our people goe a
Beaver hunting or trading or any where else where I shall think convenient it being very
necessary for the support of Trade, maintaining a correspondence with the further Indians, &
in securing our right in the country the French making a pretence as far as the Bay of INIexico,
for which they have no otlier argument than that they have had possession this twenty years
by their fathers living so long among the Indians They have fathers still among the five Nations
aforementioned, viz, the Maquaes, the Sinicaes, Cayouges, Oneides, and Onondagues and have
converted many of them to the Christian Faith and doe their utmost to draw them to Canada,
to which plfice there are already G or 700 retired and more like to doe, to the Great prejudice
inrtions from ^^ ^^^^^ Govcmment if not prevented. I have done my endeavors and have gone so

*^'"""''' far in it that I have prevailed with the Indians to consent to come back from Canada

on condition that I procure for them a peece of Land called Serachtagiie lying upon Hudsons
river above 40 miles above Albany and there furnish them with Preists

Thereupon and upon a petition of the people of Albany to mee setting forth the reasonableness
and conveniency of granting to the Indians their requests 1 have procured the land for them,
altho it has been formerly patented to jjcople at Albany, and have promised the Indians that
they shall have Priests & that I will build them a Church & have assured the people of Albany
that I would address to his Maf as to your Loi" that care may bee taken to send over by the
first five or Six it being a matter of great consequence.

These Indians have about ten or twelve castles (as they term them) & tiiose at a great distance
one from another, soe that there is an absolute necessity of having soe many priests, that there
bee three always travelling from Castle to Castle, & the rest to live with those that are Christians.

' Wyahising Fnlls, Bradfonl founty, Ponnsylvfinia, arc in tlio paralli'l montioupil in tl>e text. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 895

By that means the French Priests will bee obliged to retire to Canada, whereby the French will
bee divested of their pretence to y^ Country & then wee shall enjoy that trade without any fear
of being diverted

I find a very small matter will serve the French for a pretence of right — About 30 years
agoe 600 or 700 of them taking advantage of the Indians being abroad as far as Cape Florida
at Warr came down and burnt a Castle of the Maquaes, wherein there were none but old men,
Women and Children, which the rest of the Indians hearing pursued the French to a place
called Sconectade about 20 miles above Albany where they had every man been cut off had
not one Corlaer (a Dutchman so beloved of the Indians that in memory of him they call
all Governors by that name) interposed

However from that time they have fancied to themselves that they have a right to the
Country so farr as that Place

The great difference between us is about the Beaver Trade, and in truth they have the
advantage of us in it & that by uoe other raeanes than by their Industry in making discoveries
in y* Country before us

Before my coming hither noe man of oiir Governm' ever went beyond ihe Sinicaes Country.
Last year some of our people went a trading among the fiirr Indians called the Ottowais,
inhabiting about three months journey to the West & W N W of Albany from whence they
brought a good many Beavers They found their people more inclined to trade with them than
the French, the French not being able to protect them from the arms of our Indians with whom
they have had a continued warr, soe that our Indians brought away this very last year a great
many prisoners

Last week I sent for some of our Indians to New York where when they came I obtained a
promise from them that some of themselves would goe along with such of our People as goe
from Albany and Esopus to these far Nations and carry with them the captives they have
prisoners in order to the restoring them to their liberty & bury their Hatchetts with those of
their enemys, by which means a path may bee opened for these far Indians to come with safety
to Trade at Albany, and our people goe thither without any let or disturbance

I hear the French have built a Wooden Fort or two in the way thither ; and that there are
two Officers with men in them to obstruct our passage. I am sending a Scotch Gent, called >!■=
Greger' (that sen'ed formerly in France) along with our People bee has orders not to disturb
or meddle with the French, and I hope they will not meddle with him

' Colonel Patrick Mageegorie came from Scotland with a number of followers to America in 16S4. Tliey landed in
Maryland, whence they came to Perth Amboy, N. J. In 1685, he petitioned for leave to take up land within the bounds of
Billop's Point, on Staten ls\and, (Land Papers, II., 145,) but at the instance, it is said, of Gov. Dongan, he removed to the
Highlands. Here he turned his attention to tlie Indian trade, and became master of the Indian language. In 1686, he was
appointed Muster Master General of the Militia of the Province of New-York, {Council ilinulcs V. ;) and was next sent in
command of a party to trade at Miehilimakinae, but, having been intercepted on the way, was carried a prisoner to Montreal.
He was liberated by orders from France in 1687, and returned to New-York. He was employed by Sir Edmund Andros in
the following year, when he commanded a company, against the Indians, east of Pemaquid. He was eventually killed iu
the city of New-York, in March, 1691, in an attempt to reduce the Leisler party, who held the fort against the Govern-
ment, and was buried witli public honors [Council Minutes, VI., 10). He left sons, Hugh, John, and (it is believed) Piitriek ;
and daughters, Katharine Evans and Jane Lawrence. Notwithstanding his very great services, he failed to obtain patents
for his lands ; the whole of which were subsequently granted to Cajjt. John Evans. Though this patent was afterwards
vacated, the heirs of Colonel Magregorie experienced a long series of difficulties, as appears from their petition in Land
Papers, VII., 115, from which most of the above particulars arc borrowed. Their patent appears to have been finally
located in the town of Cornwall, Orange county. — En.

ggg NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Ever since my coming hither it has been noe small trouble to keep the Sinicaes from making
warr uppon the French. Monsieur De la Barr was very hot uppon it & brought a great many
men to a place called Cadaraque lying on the Lake, with intent to fall on the Indians, who
hearing of it came to mee for leave to enter Canada with fire & Sword, which I refused to
permit, but immediately I wrot to La Barr & let him know that those Indians were his Maf of
Great Britains subjects, and that he must not molest them, and that if the Indians had done the
Governm* of Canada any injury, upon his making the same appear, I would cause that hee
sliould have satisfaction. As also I sent the arms of his Royal Highness now his Majesty to
bee put up in each Castle as far as Oneigra, which was accordingly done, & thereupon De la
Barr retired without doing any thing after having been at a vast expence & all to noe purpose.

The now Governor Mon" de Nonville has written mee that hee desires to have a very good
correspondance witli this Governm' & I hope hee will bee as good as his word, notwithstanding
liee put a great deal of provisions into & keeps four or five hundred men in Codaraque

Last spring he sent one De la Croa' with fifty soldiers and one hundred young men of Canada
to the North- West Passage where as I am certainly informed from Canada they have taken 3
forts. About two years since there came a thousand men from France to Canada with the
new Gov"" and three 'hundred came the year after But the most part of them, as I hear, are
since dead, the Country proving too cold for them. Wee need not fear them soe long as the
Indians continue to bee our friends & the less if we can prevail with the Indians that are
Christians to come from them to us, they being generaly the youngest & lustiest men.
The number of ^ast year there was a list brought into the new Governor of 17000 French

FrencMnCiinada i„iiabitants iu Canada Men, Women & Children of which 3000 fit to bear arms

It will be very necessary for us to encourage our young Men to goe a Beaver hunting as
the French doe

I send a Map by M'' iSpragg whereby your Lo'" may see tlie several Goverm" &c how they
lye where the Beaver hunting is & where it will be necessary to erect our Country Forts for
the securing of Beaver Trade & keeping the Indians in community with us

Alsoe it points out where theres a great River discovered by one Lassal a French man from
Canada, who thereupon went into France, & as its reported brought two or three vessels with
people to settle there which (if true) will prove not only very inconvenient to us, but to the
Spanish alsoe (the River running all along from our Lakes by the Back of Virginia & Carolina
into the Bay of Mexico) and its beleeved Nova Mexico cannot bee far from the mountains
adjoyning to it that place being 30"^ North Latitude, if your Lop' thought it iit I could send a
Sloop or two from this place to discover that River

In answer to the Fifth
Thcrtrengihufour This qucry Is for the most part answered in tlie precedent, what is not answered

Neighbors

loUowetli licre

Connecticut according to \hi\ nearest conjecture I can make, may have about 3000 njen able
to bear arms

In it there are but few Indians, having been generally destroyed or removed into this
Government in the time of the last W'arrs

' ChevalitT de la Trote. lie led nn oxpcJitiou iu 16S6 against the English forts at Hudsons Bay; an account of which
■will be found in Charlevoix, Hist. Kouv. Fr., Liv. XI. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 397

They have but a small Trade, what tliey have is to the West Indies, Boston and this place
They have not above a ketch or two and about six or seven sloop belonging to the Place
The country is very good accommodated with several good Harbors & two considerable

Rivers. New London is a very good Harbor for shipping where they may ride secure from all

winds. As for their Timber its the same with ours here

To the Sixth

The Correspondence wee hold with our Neighbours is very amicable & good Wee on all
occasions doing to each other all the offices of Friendship & Service wee can, which has so
much endeared them to us that they desire nothing more than to be a part of this Government,
those of Connecticut choosing farr rather to come under this Goverment than that of Boston, for
the reasons afore mentioned ; And the Jerseys wishs the like as having once being a part of us.
And seeing that in this separation, they are not soe easy or safe, as they might expect to bee,
were they reunited to us

whatArmes&c To the Scvcuth it is auswered in the Answer to the Fourth.

To the Eighth
What are the Boun- For the Longitude, Latitude and contents of this Government I refer yo'' LoP'

darys Longitude & "^

Latitude &c ^q the afore mentioned Map, wherein you will see in what narrow Bounds wee

are cooped up

The Land of this Governm' is generally barren rocky land, except the Land wee have right
to on the Susquehanna-River & up into the Country amongst our Indians where there are great
quantities veiy good

What was good & did lye convenient & near the Sea, for y"" most part is taken from us by
Connecticut, East, and West Jersey

What is left is pretty well settled, as your Lop' will perceive by tiie list of Patents INP Sprag
has with him.

When I came to the Government I found very little Quit-Rent reserved to his Ma'^ however
I have got the people with their own consent to the payment of a certainty as yo'' Lo^' may
perceive by the afore mentioned list of Patents — Such as pay noe quit-rents I bring into the
aforementioned Court for his Maf' Rents & Revenues, where in a short time they are easily
induced to doe it. And I hope his Mat^ will have considerable Revenue by it

To the Ninth
What are the prin- The principal Towus withiu tliis Goverment are New York Albany & Kingston

cipiU Towns ic

at Esopus. All the rest are Country villages, the Buildings in New York and
Albany are generaly of Stone & brick. In the Country the houses are mostly new built,
having two or three rooms on a floor The Dutch are great improvers of Land — New York
and Albany live wholy upon Trade with the Indians, England and the West Indies. The
returns for England are generally Beaver Peltry, Oile and Tobacco when we can have it.
To the West Indies wee send Flower, Bread, Pease Pork and sometimes horse.s ; the return

398 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

from thence for tlie most part is rumm, wliich pays the King a considerable Excise, & some
Molasses which serves the people to make drink & pays noe custom

There are about nine or ten three Mast Vessels of about eighty or a Hundred
Ships & Vessels Tuns burtlicn, two or three Ketches & Barks of about forty Tun ; and about
twenty Sloops of alfout twenty or five and twenty Tunn belonging to the Government — All of
which Trade for England Holland & the West Indies except six or seven Sloops that use the
river Trade to Albany and that way

How many Parishes The Tenth is auswered in the answers to the four & twentieth

Precincts &c

To the Eleventh

What rivers Barbers A thousand Ships may ride here safe from Winds and weather. I send herewith
to your LoP" a INIap fi-om the coming in of Sandy-hook to the northermost end of
this Island wherein the Soundings are markt, by which youil perceive the coming in and
conveniency of this Harbor

Quit along the North side of Long Island are very good harbors «& Roads but on the
South-side none at all

To the Twelfth

What commo- What account I can at present give of this is for the most part, contained in

"*^ ° my answer to y' fourth of your ho^^ Queries

To the Thirteenth
whatTimberMasia Both our Neighbours & wee have conveniency sufficient either for transporting

and other materials ,.,,. . , „ i-n x ^ ■ y n -r •^^ ^ i t r

&c. timber or building And for tryal if your LoP' think nt, 1 will send over boards of

what dimensions you please, the three inch Planks I have for the Batteries cost mee fifteen
shillings the hundred foot.

To the Fourteenth

whetiier Saltpetre I cau give y'' Lo''^ iioe accouut at present, but by the next I may. I will make
a diligent inquiry about it, & when I have got anything worthy of your Lo*"
knowledge I will acquaint you with it

To the Fifteenth
What Number Coiiceniintj the muiiber of the Inhabitants, Merchant, Knc-lisli & Forreigners,

ol Inhabitants ° ^ . .

Servants, Slaves, anil how many able to bear Arms, it is not possible to give
an exact account, but in order to my being certainly informed I have issued forth several
Warrants to the Sheriffs within this Government requiring them to make an enquiry thereof
and to return the same to mee, on which returns I shall not fail to give your Lop' the account
required

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. " 399

To the Sixteenth
What number of I beleive for these 7 years last past, there has not come over into this province

Enplish Scotch ,.,-, , -w.i-n-i t-» i . t tij

Irish or Forreign- twcntv Ensfhsh, Scotch or Irish Famiivs — But on the contrary on Long Island,

ers have come JO ^

to inhabit &c j]jg people encreasB soe fast that they complain for want of Land; and may

remove from thence into the Neighbouring Province. But of French there have since my
coming here several familys come both from St Christophers and England & a gi-eat many
more are expected as alsoe from Holland are come several Dutch Familys which is another
great argument of y' necessity of adding to this Government the neighbouring English Colonys,
that a more equal ballance may bee kept here between his Ma'^" naturall born subjects and
Foreigners which latter are the most prevailing part of this Governm'
I send herewith a petition of the new-come naturaliz"* French

For Answer to the Sevententh & Eighteenth
17 & 19 -miat I must refer vour Lop' to my next bv which time I doubt not but to be able to

number of Mar- ' j v

A-c^'h^i'inunSiieP S'^'^ )'' dcsired account having to that end issued forth the like Warrant to
ofWied?SXc ^]^g gi^p^jf ^^g aforesaid

To the Nineteenth
nvhat mimber of As concemiug y* vessels belonging to this place it is already answered in the

Ship trade &c •iy-x.«/^i ip i-i -i

answer to y'' Lo?^ nmth Quene, & for others they are but lew which are either
from England, New England, or the West Indies

To the Twentieth

What obstructions do you find to the improvement of Trade &c
■What obstructions ^^^- ^ great obstruction to our Trade is the hindring the importing Tobacco
*'^ from the three lower Conntys in Delaware, as I have already given your Lop*

an account in answer to the fifth of your queries

It is likewise a great hindrance to our Trade here, & an inconveniency to the Ships that come
out of England & the fishery that his Mat'' keeps not an officer at Newfoundland, for formerly
there went every year Sloops with provisions thither, and gave the provisions in exchange for
their Fish, who again sold them to the Shipps for Bills of Exchange to England, which made
good returns from this place procuring back from England English Goods which paid his
Majesty Custom there

For the regulation of our Trade wee have made several Rules among ourselves, the chief of
which is, that noe goods of the product of Europe or West Indies bee imported into this
Province unless it were directly from England, or such part of the West Indies where such
commoditys were produced without paying, as a Custom to his Majesty Ten p' Cent.

To the one and Twentieth • '

^mprove"?^!' TMs Qucrle is sufficiently answered in the foregoing answers

400 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

To the two and Twentieth concerning tlie Revenue
What Rates & I shall sdve vour LoP' as exact an answer to this querie as its possible for mee,

Duljs&c O J 1 IT

and wherein I am deficient I shall acquaint your LqP' with the true causes of it.

The Revenue, except that of the Quit Rents, has been settled upon his Majesty then his
Royal Highness & his Heirs by act of Assembly payable in manner following, viz'.

For every gallon of Rum, Brandy, & distilled-liquors to be imported into the Province and
Dependancies, four pence current money of the Province

For every Pipe of Madera, Fyal, St George Canary, Malaga, Sherry and all sweet Wines,
the Summ of Forty shillings currant money afore said

Upon all other Merchandizes imported into this Province & Dependancies, the summ of forty
shillings cuiTaut money aforesaid for every hundred pounds valued at the prime cost, except
those hereafter specified viz'

Salt, brick. Pan tyles. Coals, Fish, Sugar, Molasses, Cotton-wool, Ginger, Logwood brasalette,
ffustijck West India hydes. Tobacco, Bullion & Plate

Upon all Merchandize commonly called Indian Goods as Duffels, Strouds Blanketts, plains,
half thicks, Woollen Stoluns, White Ozenbriggs, Kettles, Hatchetts, Hoes, Red Lead, Vermilion,
Cotton, Red-kersey, Knives, Indian Haberdashery and other Indian Goods the sum of tenn
pounds currant money aforesaid for every hundred pounds value prime cost carried up Hudsons
River, in any Vessel, Sloops, boats or Canoes, or any other way

Upon every haril of powder twelve shillings

Upon every 100 weight of lead six shillings

For every Gun [Baril] or Gun Baril with a lock six shillings

For every Gall of Rum Brandy or distill'd liquors that shall bee carried up Hudsons River
aforesaid four pence currant money aforesaid

And likewise by the said Act is settled upon his Mat'', his heirs & Successors an Excise upon
all liquors (beer & cyder excepted) retailed under four CtuHous, the sum of twelve pence currant
money aforesaid within the citty & County of New York, per gallon As alsoe the excise of twelve
pence curr' money aforesaid upon each Gallon of Liquor carried up Hudsons river And also
an excise of twelve pence on Liquors retailed throughout the whole Province and Dependancies
(beer and cyder only excepted)

As alsoe the Custom & Duty upon every Beaver Skin conmionly called a whole Beaver,
ninepence

And that all other furs & Peltry bee valued accordingly, that is for two half Beavers nine
pence for four lapps nine pence, three drillings one shilling sixpence ten Racoons ninepence, four
foxes nine pence, four fishers nine pence, five catts nine pence, four & twenty muscratts nine pence,
ten matters nine pence, twenty four pounds of Moose and Deerskin nine pence — All other Peltry
to be valued equivalent to the whole Beaver exported out of this Province (Bull and Cow Hides
excepted)

And alsoe that all Indian Traders throughout the whole Province and dependancies doe pay
for the value of each hundred Pounds prime cost the[y] traffick with the Indians for, ten pounds
money aforesaid

And for all Beer & Sider retailed throughout the Province and dependancies six shillings per
baril, and for each baril of beer or Sider that is sold to the Indians six shillings as if retailed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 401

Quit Rents ^s for the Quit rents at my arrival tliey were very inconsiderable most made

by S'' Edmond Andros, the greatest part whereof in Delaware River the most part of the Patents
granted by my Predecessors were without any reservation of any Quit-Rents or acknowledgement
to his Mat^, or very inconsiderable such as several of Sir Edmond Andres's grants to great
townships, reserving the Quit-Rent of one Lamb only and were but confirmations of former
Grants & Indian purchases These people have renewed their Patents under a greater Quit-Rent
as will appear by the list sent here with, most of these Patents granted by mee were Confirmations
alsoe

The methods that I took for the obliging them to this was finding several Tracts of Land in
their Townshipps not purchased of the Indians and soe at his Ma'^'^ disposal They were willing
rather to submit to a greater Quit-Rent, than have that unpurchased Land disposed of to otliers
than themselves

The persons that have had the collection Receipt and management of his Mat>" Revenue for
these three years past & upwards are M" Lucas Santen by commission from his Ma'^ then his
Royal Highness, Collector & Receiver, John Smith one that he brought out of England was his
Deputy Book Keeper and Surveyor for about 3 years & one John Harlow, a sen-ant of his
Waiter and Searcher

I gave order to M"' Santen that for the good management of this small revenue
to y^ best advantage, hee should not make any Journey into the Country on
pretence of the Kings business, whereby to put him to charge, but that when anything occurred,
hee should acquaint mee with it, that I might order the Sherifs or Justices of the Peace of the
Place to take care of it. And alsoe went up to Albany myself on purpose to settle his Matys
business there, where I made one Robert Livingstone' Collector and Receiver, with order to acct
w"" & pay into iNP Santen w' money he sho'd receive, for which he was to have 1* P"' Pound of
all such mouys as should pass through his hands, & alsoe made him Clerk of the Town, that
both places together might afford him a competent maintenance

x\t Esopus one Thomas Carton was by M' Santon made Collector & receiver who as I find
by M' Santons account had not accounted with him for these three years past, Upon which I
was forc't to send an order of Council for his coming hither with his accts who when hee came,
gave in a scrole of Paper containing a confused account of about ^200. pretending that his ace"
together with a great deal of com & Peltry by him collected & received for his Ma''" Customs
Excise & Quit Rents were burnt in his house — soe that all the Council & I could get from him
for 3 years & an half past, was a 'bond of 200"

Since that I have set the Excise of that county alone to RP Pawling sherif for 110"

As for the County of Richmond I have uoe acct thereof, as your Lop' will see by the Audit.

And for the County of West Chester one Collins is Collector & Receiver there, whoe (as
your Lop' may likewise see by the Audit) has not given any account — Only this INP Santen tells
me tiiat in Sepf last hee took two Bonds for mony payable in March next which I look upon to
be nothing, & all y'' Revenue of that Count}- lost, the man having hardly bread to put into his
mouth

The first year there was ^'52 offered for the Excise of Long Island, but I thought it

' Robert LaviNGSTON, first proprietor of the Manor of Livingston in Columbia county, New- York, was born at Ancraiu,
Scotland, in 1654, and came to America in 1B74. He filled numerous public offices; was Secretary for Indian Affairs,
Member of the Executive Council, and Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, <te. He died about the year 1728. There is a
full biographical notice of him in Neic- York Documentary History, ILL — Ed.

Vol. ni. 61

402 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

unreasonable, it being the best peopled place in this Governm' and wherein theres great
consumption of Rumm, & therefore I gave commission to M' Nicliolls & M"' Vaughton to gather
it with wliom I made this agreement that out of it they should have forty pounds, & that they
should account with M'' Santen for y" remainder

Since that for these two years past one Henry Fillkin has been collector, and for his pains
has a Salary of ^'30 per ann — What returns he makes I referr to the Audit. Most part of the
people of that Island especialy towards the East end are of the same stamp with those of New
England, Refractory & very loath to have any commerce with this place to the great detrim' of
his Mat^' Revenue and ruin of our merchants. To prevent which the aforementioned Act of
Assembly imposing ten P"" Cent upon all such Goods as should be imported from any Colony
where such goods were not produced passed, which was intended cheifly to hinder their carrying
their Oyle to Boston and bringing goods from thence into this Goverment

They thought it a hardship to be obliged as formerly to come to this Citty to enter & clear
& on their application were allowed to have a port Where I made M'" Arnold Collector &
Receiver, with order to be accomptable to M' Santen — What returns he has given I likewise
referr to the Audit

I allowed him for 3 years and half past but ^£52 with which liee was well satisfied having
had some Pquisits by Entrys & clearing there Notwithstanding this desire of theirs was readily
granted, they refused to take our merchants money or Goods & carried away their Oyle privat
to Boston & brought back goods from thence as formerly. Therefore with the advice of the
Council, I made an order that all people, before they goe there, shall enter & clear here And
also I have bought a Bark which cruseth there with a master, two Seamen, a Serjeant & six
Soldiers from the Garrison, for which the Soldiers are allowed no more than their Pay, except
a little Provision more than their former allowance the master & the two seamen I have listed
in the Company alsoe, & allow them something more than Soldiers pay

As for the Dukes County, & County of Cornwall I refer to y'' Audit — What account M''
Santon gives & Judge Palmer whom I sent thither last Spring & has made his returns to M'
Santon, among which tiieres an account of the seizure of wines and Oyl made in the County
of Cornwall

The first year I left every thing to the care of !M'' Santon & what oflicers hee tliought fit to
put in, but afterwards finding things ill managed, I spoke to M'' Santon several times, advising
him as a friend to look better to the trust reposed in him.

What returns hee has made mee for my kindness I will pass by & say noe more of them than
I am obliged to doe for my own vindication having nothing of ill will against him.

After the expiration of the year I desired him to bring in his accounts that they might bee
audited, which hee promised me from time to time but in such manner as was not fit for him,
for always when I spoke to him of monys and accompts, hee flew into a passion

Upon which I ordered him that since hee had no better Government of himself hee should
refrain coming into my company And after I frequently sent to him by the Sec'^ for his accts
who likewise met with the like dilatory answers. Upon which I had him brought before the
Council 3 or 4 times, where bee was often ordered to bring in his acct' but all to noe purpose, for
upwards of a year together, as y'' Lop' may see by the time of the Audit & by the several
Orders of Council herewith sent

' The islands of Nantucket, Martin's Vineyaril, Eli/.alntli Island, ami No JIan's Laml, composed Duke's oounty ; and Pema-
<liii(i distriet, and (he iidjaeent islands, in Maine, constituted the eouuty of Cornwall. — Eu.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 403

At last when liis acct' came I shewed them to the Council who were mightily surprised that
for eighteen & upwards the Revenue should amount but to i'3000 & odd pounds — Upon which
I had them audited & thereby it was found that a great many frauds had been done to the King
as your Lordships may see by the said Audit & the charge brought in and proved ag" M''
Santon

Then I desired him to put John Smith from the Office of Surveyor & out of the Custom
House having the charity for ftp Santen to beleeve that that man has cheated him as well as the
King (I having had while in England this ill character of him from M"' Benjamin Bathurst, that
for his misbehaviour he had been turned out of a good employment) But hee never wo** comply
with it, notwithstanding several orders of Council to that effect. Until I put in one Thomas
Coker to bee surveyor. Upon which Smith, being concerned at loosing his surveyors place,
grew very insolent, & put M' Santon upon worse measures as is beleived, for which & other
misdemeanors as your Loi" may p''ceive by the minutes of Council sent over by M"" Sprag hee
was turned wholy out of the Custom House

J™ Hatlow (Serv' to M"" Santon) that was Waiter & Searcher, hee sent into England, as I am
informed to the Commissioners of thee Custom-house for a Commission to be Collector for the
enumerated commoditys here, & would force soe much for his going & coming as y^ Lo^^ may
see charged in his account brought in to the Audit, & likewise has brought in a note of his for
four & twenty pounds odd money for going to the East end of Long Island, in which he did not
spend fourteen days time

The auditor finding noe cheque upon the Collector his Book Keeper being surveyor called
upon Hatlow for his Warrants who answered that hee had none or that if ever hee had an\-,
hee had left them in England

Upon which I put in one Larken in his stead who upon an order in Council set up in the
Custom House commanding noe goods to goe off without a Warrant, refusing to lett some goods
to bee exported on the verbal order of RP Santen only was by him turned out of that place as
your Lop' will see by the aforementioned charge & the proofs thereto

After the Audit of his first accompts, his others were demanded, and with the same difficulty
as the former obtained, as y'' Lop' may perceive by the said Minutes of Counc^ particularly the
order for payment every Saturday which was occasioned thus The Council considerino- how
dilatory M'' Santen was & with what difficulty he would be brought to account, being satisfied
that M'' Santen was then behind hand in his paym'* and that in process of time hee might bee
yet more, soe for the preventing of further imbezlement of his Ma'*' Revenue, they ordered him
that every Saturday hee should accompt with & pay into mee what hee had received the
preceding week, which was a method taken in the time of Sir Edmund Andros with Capt" Dyer
the then Collector on the like occasion, tho' this had not the like effect thro' M"' Santens
disobedience, for as hee did with all other orders, hee did with this, hee took noe notice of it

As alsoe there were several orders of Council requiring him to have all his accounts from the
25"" of March to the 6"' of October ready for M"' Sprag to carry over audited with him who has
agreed lor his passage in a ship and kept her here on that purpose these two months past But
with all this he made noe compliance, pretending that by a letter from my Lord Treasurer hee
was satisfied his accompts were not to bee audited here, that hee was only obliged to leave a
Duplicate with mee, upon which the Council upon sight of the letter agreed that it was
reasonable for him to send his accounts home, but that nevertheless it was my duty to have them
audited according to former instruction & soe to continue to doe, untill I should have orders to

404 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the contrary from M' Blathwayt to whom my Lord Treasurer in liis letter refers it being
otherwise impossible for me to answer this Querie.

Seeing soe many abuses done to his Ma''' & finding fair means to bee wholly ineflTectual to
the making M'' Santen discharge his duty & hee continuing still refractory & disobedient to the
several orders of Council to him directed, the charge which your Lop' have herewith was drawn
up against him, to which hee answered in such manner as y'' Lop' will see on perusal of the
copy thereof herewith sent. Upon hearing of which charge & answer & y' proof's thereto
herewith likewise sent, thee Council made their report to mee under their hands, in manner as
your Lop sees by the Copie thereof which you have likewise herewith, wherein alltho' they
positively say that hee has been an unfaithful Servant to his Ma''' in the management of his
Revenue, yet I sent for him & advised him to give in security for the balance of the acct that
by the Audit hee was found behind hand. And for his better carriage for the future, which, if
hee did, I promised to pass by all former faultts & make noe complaint against him, I not only
told him this myself, but from time to time sent messages to him, to this effect, some times by
such of the Council as were his particular friends sometimes by the ministers & often by the
Secretary but all to noe purpose, he still continued obstinate

And what returns hee made mee to these several instances of my kindness, I shall not now
trouble your Lop' with

Neverthe less I forbare doing any thing further against liini till the expiration of the second
Audit, proposing that then when I could know the whole amount of his debt I would at once doe
my best to secure the Kings Concerns from sustaining any loss by him

At last hee brought in books without being signed and said he could not leave them, neither
they being to bee sent over to M"' Blathwayt. Whereupon wee were forc't to give him 3 weeks
longer to get them copied and then with great adoe hee signed them and brought in with an
account called a general accompt, and ace' soe extravagant that your Lopps have hardly seen
thee like

Then I pressing the Auditors to make an end they desired they might have his papers to
compare with those books & Accts he had delivered in, which by order of the Council hee was
required to deliver to tliem. But hee refusing as appears by the testimony of three of the
Auditors herewith sent. It was ordered that his said papers should be seized and he suspended
from the s'' oifice of Collector & receiver, till his Majestys pleasure should bee known thereon
& hee taken into the Sherifs Custody & there remain till hee should give in such security as in
the said orders is expressed, as relation to the said orders iiad may more at large appear

Upon search of the Paps relating to his Ma'^" revenue, I found a charge drawn against
myself, with letters to his Mat>', Lord Trear, Lord Chancellor & several other Gentlemen, stuft
with complaints against mee & other p''sons, which are wholy false

Indeed its true the poor gentleman since his coming here has been troubled with 3 or 4
hypocondriack fitts, he was in one of them when his Ma"^' nomination of the Council came
over upon which tiiey all thought it not convenient to have him sworn, at least at that time, as
j'our Lojip' will see by the minutes of Council

And, my Lords, to bee short, I nmst say this of him, he's a man wholy imfit for Imsiness,
especially tliis, wherein hee has noe more skill, than a child. Soe that for the executing of it
hee must have his wliok; dependence on another. I am sure if I had not taken more care of
the Revenue than hee did since 1 found his fi^iilure it iuul bc'en more embezled than it is, for
though hee received the money, I was obliged to a continual watching to guard ag" his
carelessness & neglects

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 405

And truly what hee takes very ill what there is neither president nor establishment for.

In his commission hee has allowed him two hundred pounds p'" annum the same allowance
that Dyer had in the time of S'' Edmund Andros of which one hundred pound was for the
Surveyor, Comptroller, & Waiter, therefore 1 finding no new Establishment allow him no more
than Dyer had for him & his Officers Salary, it being the sentim' of the Council that I could
not alter the former practice with which they were well acquainted. But hee give himself a far
larger allowance hee will have it that his Salary is SterK Sc. to make it soe of this country
money he charges three & thirty p'' cent advance & one hundred pound more for his two under
officers Besides this M' Smith being his deputy-Surveyor & Book-keeper, hee would have
allowance to him at 50£ p" annum as his Deputy, 40" p'' annum as his accomptant, 30'' p'
annum for his transcribing his books, 20" p"' annum p"' his Diet besides his salary for Surveyor.
For John Harlow hee would have allowed thirty pound p'' annum as Waiter, forty pound p'
annum as being employed by him in the Kings Service, where or how noe man knows, twenty
pounds p'' annum p"' his Diet, and one hundred sixty two pounds & two voyages made into
England with dispatches for his Ma'^ all this & a great deal more such for his officers in the
Country, & the like your Lop' will see in his last general accompt a copy whereof is herewith
sent.

Notwithstanding hee charges the King soe largely for his officers Salarys, to some of them
hee has paid nothing at all, in so nuich as they are making very great Clamor for their mony,
& not getting it from him, expect it from the King.

Of his own head hee bought a little rotten tool of a Sloop, on pretence for his Ma"' service,
which as your Lop' may see by thee Audit, has stood the King in near seven hundred pound, &
now cannot bee sold for thirty soe must either bee laid up or burnt

lu his Listructions, & by several orders from mee & the Council hee was expressly forbid to
trust out his Mat'' Revenue notwithstanding I was force't to take notes from him to the -value
of Eight hundred pounds, besides a great many more which hee pretends still to bee Standing
out as your Lop' will perceive by the Audit

Hee has likewise been negligent in taking the Bonds required by the Laws of the Govern-
ment from the masters of ships, one ill consequence whereof has been, the New York Pink has
carried off several Elephants Teeth without entry, & the bond being enquired for, there was
none taken. How hee has behaved himself touching an Interloper that came in here, I have
already given S'' Benj Bathurst an account and as for the debts for him pretended to, the
Auditors, upon enquiry the most of them are found to bee received by him And I beleeve of
thee rest, the twentieth part will never bee had, they are soe ill.

And besides not with standing his confused way of accounting & being without a cheque upon
him as aforesaid, he is found by his own accounts brought into the x\udit to bee seventeen
hundred fifty pound fifteen shillings three pence and 5. S"" of a peny in debt to the King, as
your Lop' may see by the said Audit which (as is to be feared) is all gone besides his Salary
and P''quisits, on which hee might have lived very handsomely

Hee (as hee hath all along done) does to all persons hee converseth with speak scurrilously &
abusively of mee & y* Council, which considering his circumstances, Wee let pass without
taking notice of

Hee is likewise very troublesome to the present management of his Maf' customs.

1 desire that as soon as may bee, I may know what his Mat^' pleasure is should bee done
with him, what ace" I have here given your Lop' of him is as moderate as may bee, farr short

406 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

of what I might have represented, & yet have spoken nothing hut the tnith. What I have
done has been not out of malice, for I beare none to him, rather pitty, but purely with an intent
to doe his Maf service & to secure his interest, as I doubt not will appear to y'' Lop' And that
if I bee to bee blamed for any thing in the series of this affair, its for too much forbearance

Thus my Lords, I have given you as good an account of the Revenue received, and by whom,
as I can, as alsoe how the same, in a great part of it, has been mismanaged, & by what meanes,
I shall therefore now proceed to give y"" Lop' an estimate of what charge the maintenance of
this Goverm' has been hitherto to mee and what will bee requisite for its further support

Its a very hard thing upon mee that coming over hither in troublesome times, finding noe
Revenue established & yet having three Garrisons to look after & the Forts in the condition
before mentioned, & finding such contest between the Government of Canada, and this about
the Bever Trade the Inland-Country & the Indians to purchase, as I was obliged by my
Instructions, sixty odd miles upon Hudsons River, seventeen or eighteen iiato the Land in one
place from the Indians. In another place of the River sixteen miles. And on the Southside of
Long Island twelve miles to give a great deal to the Indians for Susquehanna River. To bee
at great expences on the Assembly at their first sitting — when they gave the Revenue, and on
the Lord Howard of Effingham when here with his Train, Governor Pen, commissioners from
Boston & other Colonies, the Gov"" of Connecticut, East and West Jersey, the running the Line
between tiiis & East Jersey And tlie like between Connecticut & this, tho' that last not yet
finished besides the establishment as will appear b}' my books when audited & sent over, whicli
sliall bee by the very first conveniency, & had been long ere now had I got M'' Santens sooner
done.

In the mean time yo'' Lop' may be capable of making an estimate of the constant charge of
the Government by the calculation thereof herewith sent. In which you see that there is set
down yearly for the Council Judge & Attoi-ney General which tho' not at present allowed in
my opinion with submission to j'ovn- Lop' there is a necessity there should. The Councilors
being persons obliged to a constant attendance from their own business & the Judges such as
devote themselves wholy to tliat service & wliose present Salary is soe small to support theni &
their famih^s in that station as is set forth in their Petition wliich I have herewith sent to his
Ma''' for his consideration, neither can the Attorney Generals small perquisits bee able to
maintain him in going thro' his Majestys concerns, which takes up his whole time, without the
addition of such Salary as his Ma'>' shall think fitt to allow

Your LoP' taking all this into y' consideration, cannot but think his Ma"'' must bee in debt,
which however would not have been very much had M' Santen done his duty

What Revenue there is, is with the ease & satisfaction of the People & paid without
grumbling, tho' as much as modestly can bee put upon them

Soe that if Connecticut bee not added to the Governm' it can be hardly able to support itself :
But if it bee added, thee Revenue will bee sufficient & keep the king wholy out of Debt

M"' Santen taxes me with covetousness in not allowing sufficiently to the Officers employed
Niggardly I have not been, but thee Revenue being soe small & having soe great a charge,
I have endeavored to be as good a husband for the King as I could, I'm sure better than I
ever was for myself. And truly I have been put soe to it to make things doe, that what small
p''quisits I got I have disburst, & not only soe, but have been forc't to engage my credit soe far
as t'would goe & that not sparing to pawn my J Mate for money to carry on the King's affiiirs &
now I have sent some of it home by ISP Sprag to reimburse, S"' Ben Bathurst what he lias paid
for mee, & to provide Cloths for the Soldiers, & some things for my own use

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 407

Answer to captn Now, my Lords, before I proceed to answer the next of your queries I will take

Santens charge j i j T

against me occasion here to give your Lop' satisfaction as to those Articles AP Santen has been

pleased to draw up against mee, a copie whereof I herewith send for your Lop' perusal the
scope of which being to charge mee with mismanagement of his Ma''* affairs. I thought noe
place more proper for my making appear the falsity of his accusation than here, wherein I
have been soe long treating of Ihe mismanagement of the Revenue in which this man himself
had soe large a share which answers follow distinctly with relation _to such Proofs as are herewith
sent necessary for my vindication

As to the first Article — concerning a copartnership in a Trade to France &c

For my justification and making appear the falsehood of tliis article is the Testimony of M"'
John Sprag, & M'' Gabriel Minvielle taken before W Swinton clerk of the Council' hereunto
annexed

To the Second, concerning a Partnership in Trade to Newfoundland

This is noe less true than the other as appears by Major Brockhells testimony &c And truly
had I had any such design I had not communicated to the Kings Collector, especialy to a man
of his disposition & subject to soe many follies & iiifirmityes that he was never capable of
concealing his own secrets, from the very rabble of the Town, & always made the debates of
the Council (while he was a member of it) the subject matter of his Tavern discourse

To the Third, concerning my going sharer with the Privateers

Wherein bee does mee the honor to join mee in Partnership with Privateers, I dont beleeve
that Frederick Flipson ever went sharer with any body in a ship, & I am sure Beakman never
had a vessel nor a share in a vessel in his life Had I had 2 or 3 men's shares of what was got
upon the wreck I think it had been noe breach of Law, or my instructions it being customary
in such cases for the Gov" of the Plantations to have it But I\P Santen too was mistaken in
this they did not clear for the Wreck & least they should make incursion upon the Spaniards,
I took security from them that they should not. In short for my justification in this Point. I
refer my self to the testimonys of Frederick Flipson, & Beakman, & the obligation afore said
here with sent.

To the Fourth. Copartnership with M'' Antill for Jamaica

Hee does mee wrong. I never was concerned with M"' Antill in Copartnership. One Vaughton
half brother to M"' Sprag that had been a volunteer 2 or 3 years on board Capt" Temple, &
hapning to bee in London when I came away offered his service to come along with mee, whom
finding a pretty ingenious young man & out of employment I promised to help him with a little
mony when hee stood in need of it for to put him into some way Whereupon not long after,

■ Isaac Swinton, Deputy Secretary of the Proyince of New-York, na<l Clerk of the Court of Chancery, died in the begin-
ning of July, 1687. He was succeeded by John Knight, afterwards proprietor of Knightsfield, in Ulster county; who,
however, held the office only till June, 1688. Council Minutes, V., 195, 210, 235. — Ed.

408 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

this Antill proposed, if he could get nioiiy from his brotlier or any other, to purchase the half
of a little ship then to bee sold hee would purchase the other, & that Vaughton should goe
Master of her. Upon which hee came to mee into the Country where I then was & acquainted
mee, with y"" proposal & desired my assistance to enable him to comply with it. I demanded
what security hee could give mee hee proposed to make over his share in the Vessel for it.
Upon which in kindness to him, I let him have the mony & toofi the Vessel in a security ibr it,
& by him sent as a venture ten Barils of Oyl of a drift Whale that came to my share, & thirteen
half Barils of Flower, to purchase Sugar, Molasses, Sweetmeats Oranges and other necessaries
for use in my family And this (as M"' Santen knows as well as I and most of the To\\^l) was
all the concerns I ever had with Antill

To the Fifth concerning the Dogger.

This M'" Beekman having a Sloop went from this place to Nevis. And S'' William Stapleton
hearing of a Dutch Privateer, gave him a commission to goe after him, which he did, & took
a great ugly Vessel y' Dutch have for fishing with one Deck, & went back with her to Nevis.
Whereupon S'' W" in reward of his good service, gave him the Kings & his own share in her
soe hee brought her hitiier, where shee being a Dutch built & the man having a mind to sell
her, had her condemned at a Court of Admiralty Upon which I forgave him the kings share
which by apprizement amounted to as doth appear by M"' Beckman's

testimony

To the Sixth, concerning Heathcots Sloup

M' Santen does mee wrong in this, for upon y* word of a Christian I know not at this minute,
who were the apprizers, they having been appointed by the Court where the Sloop & Goods
were condemned, & they too upon their oaths Neither had I any advantage by that vessel as
M'' Santen knows, tho' hee had hy making George Heathcot pay him ninety pound & charges
which was more than the third part of the condemnation came too soe that I hope this is not
the Voyage hee charges the King with soe much lor, tho' its the only remarkable one hee ever
made & yet but ten miles distant from this place

To the Seventh Concerning my Lord Neill Campbells goods

My Lord Neill Campbell' it's true desired my bill of Store for the ten p"" cent which 1 did
grant, but M"' Santen does mee wrong to say that I ordered they should be entred without
examination, to the best of my remembrance there was noe such thing : but here hee forgets
what hee has dont! himself what goods he has admitted to entry without examination contrary
to Act of Assembly Sc my order as appears by his own books, to the great diminution of his
Maf' Revenue in this Province; neither does hee remember what bills of Store hee has granted
not withstanding several orders to the contrary

' Lord Niiii. Cami'iihll was bmtlirr of t)ie Eurl of Ai'i.'yli' whose iiiviieioii of Sootlaiul, in 1G85, tLTniiiiati'd so unfortunntely
for himself and his adherents. Being forced to fly to America, in consequence of his connexion witli that nobleman, he was
apijointed Deputy Governor of East Jersey Juuo 4th, 1686, and arrived in this country in October following. Ue returned to
Scotland, as is supposed, in Marcli, 1()87, and died previous to 1C93. Whitehead's East Jersey. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 409

To the eighth Concerning one Riddell

M'' Santen does mee wrong iu tliis. One jNI'' Riddell, a poor Gentleman, that brought into tiiis
city without entry (as a great many others have done without M' Santeu or his officers taking
any notice thereof) a small parcel of Linen afterwards appraised to bee of the value of three
or five pounds And after that this Riddell & one of the officers of the Custom House drinking
drunk together, fell a quarrelling, on which the officer went out & meeting with Vaughton
about one or two in the morning compell'd him to goe along with him to seize uncustomed
goods at Riddell's lodging where when they came they broke open the door upon this Riddell
who being still drunk, endeavored to keep them out, & in the struggling stobbed M'' Vaughton —
Whereupon hee was secured in prison vvhei'e hee lay a long time till Vaughton recovered.
Afterwards the poor man, being in a starving condition, on the application of M' \'aughton
himself & M'' Sprag & several others hee was set at liberty, & on a petition of his to the
Council his goods were ordered to bee released, hee paying all charges, which beeing more
than the value of the goods jM'' Sprag in Charity to Riddell {laid the Surgeons their demands,
which was ten pounds without taking any thing from him

To the ninth Concerning Capt" Santens Wan" to the Sheriffs &c

M' Santen knows iiimself that from time to time, by order of tlie Council, all the Sherills
have been obliged to account with him for all Rents, Quit-rents & arrearages of rent &c yet
tl^is would not doe to make himself seem great, hee would need issue forth his own Warrants,
which poor man was done in one of his fitts, & indeed they met with such reception as they
deser[v]ed, the Sherifs took noe other notice of them than to send them to mee Whereupon I
being somewhat surprized at his manner of procedure called him before the Council, where
(being asked how hee came to issue forth such Warrants) his answer was that, to his knowledge
tlie Lord Treasurer did soe in England. But here I would ask Capt" Santen why he hath not
given a better account of such Quit-Rents &c as have passed through his hands

To the tenth Concerning my Covetousness as hee is pleased to term it

Here ( if M'' Santen speaks true in saying 1 have been covetous) it was in the management of
this small Revenue to the best advantage, and had M' Santen been as just, as I have been
careful, the King had not been in debt as I had more in my pocket than now I have.

It may bee true when I called for the Kings mony & accompts for M" Santen & I met with
unbecoming returns I might use some passionat expressions

And as for my pinch^ officers, if hee meanes himself it was because he took it very ill that I
would not allow him seven or eight hundred pounds extravagant expenses. As for Fran :
Barber I never spoke a word to him of Salary iu my life & leave it to the audit what account
hee gives of the Revenue of that county for three years & an half

To the eleventh Concerning the excise of Long Island &c

What M"" Santen says concerning the offer of fifty two pounds P' the excise P a year may bee
true. I thought it very unreasonable that the Excise of three countys should bee farmed for

Vol. III. 52

4]^Q NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

soe little, therefore I fixed upon M' Vaughtoii and M"' Nicolls looking upon tliem to bee honest
men & aoreed with them for twenty pounds P P* and wJiat they could make over & above they
should deliver to I\P Santen That Dan : Whitehead offered mee three pounds for my licence it
is false, or that I had ten pounds from Nicolls & Vaughton is likewise false, as doth appear by
iM'- Nicholls testimony & would by that of Mr. Vaughton were hee here Neither had I ever any
mony for Licences since I came into this Government, except from Albany & this place
twenty four pounds, but on the contrary gave it all to the Collectors of the respective Countys
for their encouragement

To the Twelfe concerning M"' Pretty &c

ftp Pretty is Sherif of that County & having a great deal'of other concerns upon his hands
for the King & countreys service, tliat being a frontier County to Canada, soe that hee could not
possibly attend the Surveyors place, I put in William Shaw, who had that place before in the
time of S'' Edmond Andros & as Major Brockhells informs us behaved himself faithfully therein.
And as to his allegation in iiis Memorandums, that Shaw was put in for satisfaction of two or
three years pay due to him, it is wholy untrue, as does appear by the Testimony of Major
JJaxter, INP Coker & by the receipt under Sliaws own hand.

To tiie tliirteentli Concerning the deprivation of the Officers &c

This Jolm Smith is a man that if hee were as honest as iiee is able the King had had more
justice done him & M'' Santen more money in his Pocket, What account S'' Ben : Bathurst
gave mee of him I have ah'eady acquainted your Lop* with, & for what reasons he was turned
out of the Custom House is herein before given to your Lop*

To the Fourteenth Concerning the Pasture of Albany &c

As for this of tlie Pasture, hee is mistaken, it was never j^et in tiie Kings hands, but bee that
was the commander took some Profits of it, which was a great greivance to the people it having
been patented by Governor Nicolls to several people & by them built upon, whose Buildings
have been since carried away by the overflowing of the River It does not contain above fifteen
or sixteen acres I doubt not but I shall make it appear that I have done nothing in this to his
Ma'^' prejudice. I conceive I have done the King very good service in Albany. The Town of
Albany lyes within the Ranslaers Colony. And to say the truth tlie Ranslaers had the right
to it, lor it was they settled the place, and upon a petition of one of them to our present King
about Albany the Petitioner was referred to his Ma'^* Council at Law, who upon perusal of the
Ranslaers Papers, made their return that it was their opinion that it did belong to them. Upon
which there was an order sent over to S' Edmund Andros that the Ranslaers should be put in
possession of Albany, & that every bouse should pay some two Beavers some more, some less
according to their dimensions P'' annum, lor thirty years & afterwards the Ranslaers to put what
rent upon them they could agree for — What reason Sir Edmond Andros has given for not putting
these orders into execution I know not

The Ranslaers came & brought mee the same orders which I thought not convenient to
execute, judging it not for his Ma'^' Interest that the second Town of the Government & which

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 411

brings his Ma'^ soe great a Revenue, slioukl bee in tlie bands of any particular men. Tlie town
of itself is upon a barren sandy spot of Land, & the Inhabitants live wholy upon Trade with
the Indians By the meanes of M"' James Graham, Judge Palmer & IM"" Cortiandt that have
great influence on that people. I got the Ranslaers to release their pretence to the Town and
sixteen miles into the Country for Commons to the King, with liberty to cut firewood within
the Colony for one & twenty years. After I had obtained this release of the Ranslaers I passed
the Patent for Albany, wherein was included the afore mentioned Pasture, to which the People
apprehended they had so good a right that they expressed tliemselves discontented at my
reserving a small spot of it for a garden for the use of the Garrison

That the people of Albany has given mee seven hundred pounds is untrue. I am but
promised three hundred pounds which is not near my P'quisits, viz ten sliillings for every house
«& the like for every hundred acres patented by mee, established by a committee appointed by
the assembly for the establishing of all Fees, where Capt" Santen may remember himself was
Ciiairman — Alsoe wMiat they have given to those other Gentlemen I know nothing of it & upon
my word in Gen' I have not got the fourth part of my Pquisits, chusing rather to want them,
than take from the poor people that cannot spare it

To the Fifteenth concerning a farm at East Jersey belonging to bis Ma'^ &:c

W Santen might have given a better account of this if bis malice had suffered him The
Farm at East Jersey paid ten pounds P' annum to bis Ma'" and at a Rack rent, tlie proprietors
of East Jersey putting us to more trouble than the value of it, they constantly disturbing the
Tenants on pretence that his Ma'^ had granted that to them, soe that I conclude it would be
more inconvenient to keep it than part with it — Therefore Judge Palmer having an interest in
East Jersey & an influence upon the Governor there, on his giving mee his obligation to pay as
a fine the summ of Sixty pounds to the King in case hee should not think fit to forgive it «& the
rent of twenty shillings p' annum & to defend the Title, I gave him a lease of the Reversion
ofiti

To the Sixteenth Concerning Rockway Neck &c

M"" Santen poor man neither understands his own nor others concerns, hee was one of the
Council himself when Capt" Palmer petitioned for licence to purchase this Land, lying without
the IVIeers & bounds of Hempted & when the same was granted, & before hee liad his Patent
granted, the People of Hemptead were summoned to appear to shew cause, if they had any,
why it should not bee granted — Whereupon one person came to mee & told mee that it was his
land, & that it was within the meers & bounds of Hempted on which I ordered him to put a
Caveat in to the Secr>' office against the passing of Judge Palmers Pateut. And then the
Surveyor went to survey the Land accompanied by some of the Inhabitants of Hempsted, to
show him their bounds who returning this Land to bee without their meers & bounds, the
Patent was passed in which Capt" Palmer is expressly bound'* where hee adjoins to Hempted by
their Line. And wherein hee says the Hempted people were frighted to let their Suits fall, its

' This farm belonged to the Dutch West India Company, and after the reduction of the country In' tlie Knglish, went by
the name of "the Duke's farm." It was situate at Ahasimus, immediately opposite the city of Xtw-Vork. The lease to
Palmer was for ninety-nine years, and is in the Secretary's OflBce, in Book of Deeds, VII. 170. — Eo.

412 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

quite otherwise, for tliis Pearsall, upon the granting of tliis Patent, got into possession of tliis
laud, in as much as Judge I'ahiier was force't to commence Suits against liim, where, after it
had some time depended Pearsall finding tliat to insist on his pretence would not avail him,
suffer'' Judgement to goe against him. And as for his heing frighted into it hy Capt" Palmer's
being Judge, there's noe such thing, for on purpose liee withdrew himself and left the manage-
ment of tliat Court to his Collegue Judge Nicolis And as for the Lands being the only Pasture
of the Town its wlioly false, for its no Pasture at all, being all Woodland, and that Town
having a plain of upwards of forty thousand acres of good Pasture without a stick upon it.
And as for its Value I beleive Judge Palmer would tliink iiimself obliged to Capt" Santen or
any otiier tliat wouhl give him two lumdred pound lor it

'J"o the Seventeenth concerning M"' (iraluiuis insinuation

jVP Santen is in tlu^ rigiit that M'' Graham is Attorney Ceiu-ral & supervisor of all Patents «S.-
soe made upon M'" Itudyard's going from this Place to Barbauoes, & is a person understanding
in the Law, it being iiis wiuile business Wherefore I thought it not tit to pass any Patents
witliout his perusal, least I miglit doe prejudice to the King. It's likewise true that I have
called in former Patents and still continue to doe soe, that 1 might see by wliat Tenure thev
liold their Lands, whicii I find generaly to bee by none, they paying no acknowledgement to
the King. Whereupon being convinced of tliat defect by the resolution of y^ Judges tiie
people for their own ease & quiet & that of their Posterity which otiierwise might have fallen
under the lash of succeeding (jovernors, without the least nuu'nuu'ing have renewed their
Patents, with a reservation of a certain Quit-Rent to the King to the noe small advancement of
his Revenue, & this done witli general satisfiiction & of which none will in the least com[)lain
but on tiie contrai-y (>Npress tliemselves tliankful for it

iNP Santen sure wluui iiee wrot this Article ag*' mee did not consider the obligation that was
upon us both to advance the Kings Interest in our several stations, far less how inconsistent it
was with his otTice to bee the only p'son aggreived at the advancement of his Mat^"= Revenue,
when the peo))le themselves tiiat are concerned are not only satisfied but pleased with it

Again bee forgets that hee was a member of the Council when they gave it for their opinion
that those former Patents were insufficient & was then dayly consenting to the passing of new
ones. As for sums of mony exacted I own I liave received two hundred pound from Ranslaer
but its nothing to what my perquisits would have amounted to according to tlie aforementioned
regulation, hee having a vast Tract of Land

From Hempsted I rec'' one hundred pound liy forty and that in Cattle which is far less than
my Pquisits, tliey having upwards of one hundred thousand Acres — 1 own aisoe I liave received
three hundred pounds from the Citty of New York, & liave granted them notiiing more than
what they bad from my predecessors, & is now before his Ma'> (or a confirmation.

The Land tluit M' r^anten complains of to be such a grcivance is the Dock which tlie town i;t
their own proper charge ha\'e takm from the Sea, & dayly arc at vast e.xpeuce to maintain, \-,
what use they make of it is not my l)usiness to eiupiire but as to their selling to y"" value ol'
fifteen hundred pmuid for my use is wholy fidse. And as fiir tliosi' other summs of -50, :i() &
20 pound, its not soe, I was never covetous to take IVdiii the poor people wiiat tiu^y coidd not
well spare, the Secretai\- is my witness, but if I had. it ne\ er amounted to my Pquisits, according
to the reKulalion afiu-esaid

Coker's Iluuse

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 413

Besides the Charge lierein before niiswered were found several nieiiioranduiiis
of what IVr Santen intended to complain ag^' niee. Among which there being
some things not mentioned in the said Charge, tiie same as I presume not being perfected, I
presume further to trouble your Lop' with what I have to say therein in my vindication.

I am sorrev M"' Santen has not a better memory. The Kings share of Cobbys
ship came by apprizement to 19''. 7'. G"*, which was by Judge Talmer paid into
Capt" Santen's own hands as appears by the Testimony of Capt" Palmer

As to M" Merritts house it does not pay soe much rent as Capt" Santen pretends

Merrills House i \ i

and is too quite out of repaire, ready to drop down
The Farm \,^(] j^g jq the Farm hee miglit have remembered that I shewed him a letter

from S"' B Bathurst wherein was intimated that his royal Higlmess now liis Ma*'' was pleased 1
should have both the Farm & the house during the time of my Covernment of this place

For Cokers iiouse I am glad Capl" Santen has found soo considerable a rent,

for my part I never received a peny for it. therefore 1 shall now charge seventy
two pounds more,being four years rent to Capt" Santen's account for which hee has not yet
given the King Credit — There was a Cooper liv'd in the next house to it and paid twelve or
lifteen pounds p"' ann for which I find noe Credit given to the King in Capt" Santens Books, since
the Cooper left the poorest pson in the town would not live in it, it being ready to drop down &•
Cokers is not in a better condition, soe bad they are that its a wonder to every body they stand
yet. I[n] soe much that when D'" Iimes^ brought mee my Lord Middletons order to let him have
them and I shew^ed them to him, hee would not live in them

Two or three years agoe Sir John Werden sent mee an order to give a long Lease ot
them to any that would take it, I hav.e not met with any such person & I am sure if rebuilt by
the King, it will not give him the interest of his mony and Merritts house is in the same
condition, as appears by the return of a survey made by some of the Council & Carpenters
sent to view it

As for the business between M'" Santen & M'' Antill its a thing soe scandalous

that I will not trouble your Lop' with an account of it only tins J U say that m
Antill sent severall to him, and I spoke to him myself to lett him know that M"' Antill would
bee satisfied with an acknowledgement that hee had done him wrong in speaking those scandalous
words, & that it was the effects of drink But M'- Santen's Pride was such that hee would not
doe it, but continued to justify what hee had said. Whereupon M'' Antill took out the
execution against him (hee not being then of the Council) but before y' serving sent him the
like message as before with the same effect. Whereupon th' Execution was served
Larken's Case As for Larkeiis case I refer to the orders of council here with sent

And as for the Kings concerns going in a riglit Channell 1 am sure they never can where bee
has powers. As for desiring a List of his ]Mat>' Quit rents & my denying it to him. Its wholy
untrue, for hee has a book with an ace' of all the Quit-rents that then were to be found
mentioned in the Records of Patents kept in the Secretarys office, which I caused Coker to
draw out on purpose for him.

Smith kept the key of the Granery and what corn I received for my own use or the use ot
the Garrison was taken out by Coker and it was shown to W Smith where I gave credit to the
King for it in my books, afterwards finding that Santen gave noe credit to the kmg lor what
Corn came into the Granery, I took the key from Smith & gave it to James Larkens with order

' Si<e not.-, [lost ji. 415. — Ed.

414 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

to him to give receipts for what sliould bee brouglit in & to give an account of it to Smith that
hee might enter it upon tlie Books

Hee does iudge Palmer and M" Graham wrong, for the}' are persons looiit

r.-ipin rnlmor Jo a j i ^

& .Mr J.. or.iiiam ^^pou bj the CouHcil as fittest for those employm" they are in, viz Palmer
Judge & Graham Attorney for the King. And if M' Santen would speak truth hee must
needs say they both have been very serviceable for the King in the advancement of his Revenue,
& that tliey still continue with their utmost endea"" soe to bee Aiul though their way of living
is by the Law, yet their management has been such l)y arbitration & such other mild courses
tliat w[h]ere there was ten Actions formerly there is not one now And the Council had soe good
an opinion of Capt" Palmer that hee was thought the fittest to be the Judge of y'' Court for the
Kings afl^airs

As for Sloops &c going iVom this to Newtbundland, if 'twas against the acts of navigation, hee
did ill to admit soe many to enter & clear to & from thence, without soe much as taking notice
of it, till hee and Major Brockhells falling out, hee took occasion to seize his Sloop which the
Council & I looking upon to bee only malicious, discharged taking security from him till his
Mat''' further Pleasure were known AP iNIayne coming here & shewing mee his Instruction, noe
vessel has gone from hence thither since

And had I not relyed soe much upon Capten Santen none had gone, & for his sake 'U not
trust to another soe much again

M" Santen was in the right'I was angry to find a Cart load of goods going olf the bridge after
shutting up the Custom house without Entry & demanding of the man how long they had been
there hee answered from seven in the morning, without any officers taking notice of them Upon
my speaking to RP Santen hee fell excusing his officers &: gave mee ill words — What thereupon
hapned I refer to My Lord Neal & M'' Mayn's testimonies that were then witnesses of it

As for Woolsford's case I have already referred yo' Lop* to the acco' given thereof to Sir Ben :
Bathurst

The Negro-Story I refer to the record herewith sent. I never did anything since I came into
the Government without the advice & consent of y' Council

The Ship Cliarls was cleared upon Trial INP Santen having nothing to allege against her.
The Sloop Lancaster is the same with that of Gov"' Heathcot before mentioned
The bout of D'' Morez was condenmed for going to the Mill with Corn without the Governm'
& seized by Capt" Santen

The Sloop Fortune (^ondenuied and my own share as well as the Kings forgiven, the poor
man having done what hee did innocently

1 lie Sloop Lewis came from Pettiguaves, and brought here some of our people who had
been taken by the Spaniards in going to Jamaica with provisions, & had fled to Pettiguaves &
the Sloop coming hither, the master sent up word from Sandy hook that hee would willingly
come and live here which T willingly granted him liberty to doe, & in consideration of his
service in bringing home our people I forgave the Kings and my own part in the Sloop after
she was condennu'd with llie ])n)viso that if his Majesty did not approve of it, hee should pay
that share according to appraiseuu-nt, for wliich Bond was accordingly taken, as will ajjpear to
your Lop' by the attested copie herewith scut In short all that I'll say, hee's fitter for a retired
life, than to be the Kings C'ollector.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 415

To the three k. tweutietli
Tvhnt ptimat vou 'Yhe answer tliereof is referred to the next

can make t'luclnng
the Estates ice

111 answer to the tenth & four and Twentieth querie

What pf-rsuasions Everv Town ought to have a Minister. New York lias first a Chaplain
ioKeiigion&c belonging to tlie Fort of the Church of England;' secondly a Dutch Calvinist,=
thirdly a French Calvinist,^ fourthly a Dutch Lutheran'' — Here bee not many of the
Clmrch of England; few Roman Catholicks ; abundance of Quakers preachers men and
Women especially ; Singing Quakers ; Ranting Quakers ; Sabbatarians ; Antisabbatarians ;
Some Anabaptists some Lidependants ; some Jews ; in short of all sorts of opinions there are
some, and the most part, of none at all.

The Great Church which serves both the Enghsh & the Dutch is within the

The Churth =

Fort which is found to bee very inconvenient therefore I desire that there" may
bee an order for their building an otiier, ground already lieing layd out for that purpose, & they
wanting not money in Store where with all to build it

The most p''vniling opinion is that of tlic Dutch Calvinists

To the live and Twentieth

What course &c It is the cudeavor of all p'"sons here to bring up their Children & servants in

that opinion which themselves profess; but this I observe that they take no care of
the conversion of their Slaves

Every Town & County are obliged to maintain their own poor, whicli makes them bee soe
careful that noe Vagabonds, Beggars, nor Idle Persons are sulfered to live here

But as for the Kings natural-born-subjects that live on long Island & other parts of Government
I find it a hard task to make them pay their Ministers

Tho Doxgan

My Lords

Since my writing of this, on I'erusal of some Papers in the Secretarys office, I found some
Memorandums of Sir Edniond Andros whereby I understand that in tiie year HJlf hee sent
home Capt° Salisbury for England to let iiis Royal Higluiess now his Mat'' know how impossible
it was, for this Government to subsist without the addition of Connecticut. And hee himself
went with some soldiers to surprize them, intending when hee had done it to keep possession
by a Fort hee designed to make at a place called Seabrook but was prevented by the opposition
of two Company's of men then lodged there ready to goe out ag*' the Indians with whom they
were in Warr

Much less it can subsist now without it, being at more expence than in the time of Sir
Edmond & having lost Delaware, & soe consequently the Peltry Trade which is not much

' The following clergymen were chaplains in Governor Dongan's time : Rev. Dr. Gordon', in 1GS3; Rev. Josias Clakke,
who was commissioned June 16, 1C84, and served two years, r.s appears by the certificate in Jfeiv-Yorh Colonial Manuscripts,
XXXIII., dated October 7, 1686. He was succeeded by the Rev. Alexandeb Ixnes, whose commission bears date April 20,
1686. Book of Deeds, VIII., 13, 31, 39.— Ed.

' Rev. IIexeicus Seltns ; died in 1701. 2 Collections New-York Historical Society, I., 390. — Ed.

' Probably the Rev. Mr. Peuket, who is mentioned as minister of the French congregation in Leisler's time. Xcw-York
Documentary History, II. — Ed.

* Rev. BER.N-ARDIS Are.\sius. He succeeded Dom. Fabbictos, and was minister of the Church in 1688. General Entries, IV.,
304. Book of Deeds, VIII., 204. —Ed.

416 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

iiiferiour to that of the I'leaver, besides iniicli Quit-rents and the Excise, which would have been
a verv considerable Kevenue And too, what helps, bee had these from East & West Jersey.

Weighing this with the reasons aforementioned, I hope bis Maf will bee graciously pleased to
add tiiat Colony to this, which is the Centre of all His Dominions In America. And the
people thereof have been more inclined to liis Matys service and have expressed, upon all
occasions more Loyalty than any other of these Parts

Likewise I am to give y'' Lop' an account that since I received my Instructions, I caused a Vessel
wJiich came to Aml)oy to come hither & enter — It being the opinion of the Council that it was
both agreeable to my Instructions and former practice, esjieciaiy in the time of Sir Edni'' Andros
^ . J am now informed that the people of Pensilvania have bad last year from

the Indians, upwards of 200 packs of Beaver down to the Skonshill' & will have
more this as I have reason to l)eleive, which if not prevented, bis Ma'^ must not expect tiiis
Governm' can maintain it self, besides that it will wboly depopulate both this Town & Albany-
One Rogers the Weighmaster being found indebted to the King in ,£190-17-7A I demanded
the mouy from him, to which hee returned for answer; that bee was M'' Santen's servant &
would live and dye by him & would not pay it without his order. On which an Extent was
made out against him & hee taken thereupon & jiut into l^rison ; Where after many endeavors
of M"" S;i[n]ten to tiic contrary as will ap;)ear by tiie Minutes of Council, hee at last paid £\ lU
of it, which 1 was willing to take rather than lose the whole

I am afraid wee shall not have soe good an account of the rest of the debts
Being informed that M"' Smith has never accounted with RP Santen and having the opinion
of Capt" Palmer & ftp Graham that hee is accountable to the King at least for soe much of (be
mony as bee has received to his own use on pretence of Salarys without any authority for the
same : I have caused him to bee arrested in an action of account at his Ma'-^" suit, upon which hee
lies a prisoner to answer it at the Court appointed for the management of his Mat^' Revenue

j\P Santen since his commitni' hath been soe unruly & abusive to niee and the Council that
in our own defence. Wee arc force't to send him home, threatning us with Chains at least for
what wee have done

Cjmncilors T/ir IKIinis of if Cmivcilors

Major Anthony Brockhells Stephen V Couitlandt

Frederick Flipson .lobii Spragg

Cervis liaxter

The Council thought fit not to give M' Santen bis Oath, as appears by the Minutes of Council
.lobn Young- bad his oath given bini, but hee lives 150 miles from this, and has noe estate of
bis own and very old, that it is a thing impossible for him to serve —

' Qu? Schuylkill. — El).

' .loiiN Yoii.No.s of Soutliold, L. I., son of the lluv. Jolin Young;s, minister of th.it town, was a native of England, anJ
accompanied his father from Connecticut to Long Island in 1640. He took a prominent part in detaching the English towns,
on the west end of Long Island, from the Dutch in 1063; represented Southold at the meeting of Delegates at Hempstead
in March, 1065, when what is known as the Duke's Laws were first promulgated; filled various civil and military offices iu
the ))rovince, such as Magistrate, Colonel of the Militia, High Sheriff, Commissioner for running the boundary line between
New- York and Connecticut, aud member of the Executive Council of New- York, <Sio. He was s\ispended from the last office on
8tli October, 1087, because be detailed " many aged and sickly men, unfit for service, and others without arms or cloths," when
the Governor ordered a draft from the militia of Suft'olk county, in that year, to defend the frontiers. Couneil Minutes, V.
Allen s.iys he died in 1688. aged 71 ; Thompson say.s, in liJ'.iS, aged 75. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 417

There being a clause in my Instructions wherein I am limited not to act without five,
therefore M"' John Spragg and Major Jervis Baxter going for England, and there not being a
sufficient number to make a quorum, I have, by Vertue of a clause in my letters Patents
impowring mee, in case of absence out of the Goverment, death or suspension to add of the
principal Freeholders) given the oath to Judge Palmer and Nicholas Bayard the present Mayor
to serve in the Council untill his Mat^' pleasure bee known

And whereas there is a clause, in my Instructions to send over the names of six persons
more fitt to supply the Vacancy of the Council six of the fittest I find in this Government are
as foUoweth

Mathias Nichols Judge William Smith Frances Rumbouls

James Gi-aham Gabriel Minvielle Major Nicolas Demyre

Proposition of tlte Onondcuja and Cayuga Indians.

[New-Tork Papers, I. 338.]

Proposition or Oration of the Onnondages and Cayouges Sachims made in the
Town Hall Albany before the Right Hon'"" the Lord Howard of Effingham,
Govemo'' of Virginia & Col. Thomas Dungan Gov'' of New York upon the
2"' day of August 16S4.

Brother Corlaer.

Your Sachim is a great Sachim and we are but a small people, when the English came to
Manhatans that is N. York, Aragiske, which is now called Virginia, and to Jaquokranajgare
now called Maryland, they were but a small people and we a great people, and finding they
were good people we gave them land and treated them civilly, and now since you are a great
people and we but a small, you will protect us from the French, which if you do not, we shall
lose all our hunting and Bevers, The French will have all the Bevers, and are angry with us
for bringing any to you.

Brethren.

Wee have putt all our land and our selfs under the Protection of the great Duke of York, the
brother of your great Sachim; we have given the Susquehanne River which we wonn with the
sword to this Government and desire that it may be a branch of that great tree that grows
here, whose topp reaches to the sunn, under whose branches we shall shelter our selves from
the French or any other people, and our fire burn in your houses and your fire burns with us,
and we desire that it always may be so, and will not that any of your Penns people shall
settle upon the Susquehanne River; for our young folks or soldiers are like wolfs in the
woods, as you Sachim of Virginia know, we having no other land to leave to our wives and
children.

Wee have putt our selves under the great Sachim Charles that lives over the great lake, and
we do give you Two White Drest Dear Skins to be sent to the great Sachim Charles That he
Vol. III. 63

418 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

may write iipon them, and putt a great Redd Seale to them, That we do putt tlie Susquehanne
River ahove the Washinta' or falls and all tlie rest of our land under the great Duke of York
and to no bodyelse, our brethren his servants were as fathers to our wives and children, and
did give us Bread when we were in need of it, and we will neither joyn Our selves nor our
Land to any other Governm' then this, and this Proposition we desire that Corlaer the
Govern'' may send over to your great Sachim Charles that Dwells over the great Lake with this
belt of Wampum Peeg, and another smaller Belt for the Duke of York iiis brother, and we
give a Bever to the Corlaer to send over this proposition.

And you great man of Virginia, meaning the Lord Effingham Govern"" of Virginia, We let
you know that Great Penn did speak to us here in Corlaer's house by his Agents, and desired
to buy the Susquehanne River, but we would not hearken to him nor come under His
Government, and therefore desire you to be witness of what we now do and that we have
already done and lett your freind that lives over the great lake know that we are a ffree people
uniting our selves to what sachem we please, and do give you one beavor skinn
This is a true Copy Translated, Compared & Revised p"" me

Rob' Livingston.
Endorsed

N. York 2 August 1GS4

Indian Proposalls to

Coll. Dongan. Read IS May. S7.

Petition of the Commissaries of Alhany.

[Ncw-Tork Papers, I. 338.]

To the Right Hon''''' Thomas Dongan Lieu' and Govern'' Gen" of the Province of New
York &c*

The Peticon of the Commissioners for the Town of Albany.

Hiimhhj Shcwcth

That of late years the French under pretence of propagating the Christian Faith among the
Indians have much incroached upon the Indian trade, and Jiave likewise drawn away many of
our Indians to themselues, by means whereof the Trade of this place is much diminished and
the Increase of his Ma" Revenue obstructed, for Remedy whereof there will be nothing more
efiectuall in glueing satisfaction to y' Indians and being conducive to regain them from the
flrench, then that yo"" Hon'' in your great wisdom will take care that those ffrench Priests that
are in the Ind" Castles may be removed, as in pursuance of the Reiterated Proposalls of y'
Indians, their Places supplyed with English capable to instruct & continue them in y* knowledge
of the Christian Religion.

' Evidently an abbreviation of 7'uo-Kawsunthah, tlio Moliawk wonl fta' "Falls." Gallalin's Synopsis, 387. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 419

Yo'' Pet" therefore humbly pray that yC Hono'' would be pleased to address unto His Ma"^
in their behalf that due care may be taken in the Premises.
And yo' Pet" as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.

Endorsed

16S6
Peticon of the Comni"

of Albany
That y' ft'rench may
be removed from the
Settlem" of y' Indians
belonging toy^ English.

Reed from M'' Spragg

9"" May 1CS7

Read IS"' May.

Petition of the French Protestants of New-Yorh.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FEENCU.]
[New-Tork Papers, I. 35-2.]

To Mylord,

Mylord Dongan GoV for the King in the Countries of America.

The French Protestants humbly supplicate and represent, that they are infinite!}'' obliged to
the King for having so much goodness for them and for consenting, as you have taken the troul)le
to testify, that those who will repair to this Province should enjoy some special advantages.
Therefore the Petitioners hope from his Majesty's Clemency that he will not refuse them the
favour they ask with all possible respect — that is, that Merchants Masters of Vessels and Others
who will settle in this Country, may have the privilege of trading, going and coming in & to all
places in America, Islands and Mainland that are under the Kings dominion without the
Governors of said Countries giving them any trouble, disturbing their Commerce and treating
them othervpise than as his Majesty's Natural Subjects ; inasmuch as the Petitioners swear
inviolable obedience to the King, acknowledging him for their Sovereign Lord, Protector and
Benefactor to whom they will take an Oath of Fidelity which they shall observe to the last
breath of their lives.

The Petitioners, My Lord, apply to your Lordship as to a Channel through which
the King's favours flow to them, beseeching you to be pleased to write to
his Majesty that he may have the Charity to order said Governors of the
places subject to him, duly to receive the Petitioners who shall have your
passports and to act towards them as towards His Majesty's Subjects which
is necessary in order that the Petitioners may subsist in this Province. That
will encourage them to establish themselves there, and to attract others who

420

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

eventually will greatly enhance and augment these countries. What will
afford you My Lord satisfaction the Petitioners shall accomplish with all their
power, heiiig your Excellency's

Most humble, most obedient, most faithful
and obliged Servants
Endorsed Jean Bouteillier, for all.

N. York IGSf.
Petition of the ffrench
Protest' to be permitted
to settle there

ReC* from M"' Spragg

9 May 1GS7 ,

Read 18 May '87.

Governor Dongaii to the Lord President.

[ Xew- York Entry, II. 14G. ]

My Lord

The continued delay of the Collector to give in his accounts hath hindred ^[''
Spragg for at least these twelve months to go for England with the Acts of
Assembly: but I have at last forced his Books & Papers from him; and his
Accompts are audited by which he is found indebted to the King near 3000'' whicli
is a great hardship upon me coming hither in times when all things were in great
disorder and before a settled Revenue, so that I was forced to disburse all that little stock I
had & engaged my creditt, to perform what necessity obliged to do for the Kings Service.

I humbly refer your Lodp to the charge against the Collector the orders of

Council that relate to him, my answer to the heads of Inquiry which were sent

to me ; and several other Papers which I humbly entreat your Lodp to request

that his Maf will be pleased to hear, they relating to his Maty' affairs not only in this but some

other parts of America.

My Lord the Councill here have been much straitned, by obliging the number
to be seven RP Santen one of them was not thought fitt by the Councill to have
the oath given to him M"' Young another of the Council is very old, & lives one
Hundred & Fifty miles from this Citty two others are men of soe great
business & Trade that it is impossible they should always attend the Councill and
it is necessary that either Capt" Brockholes or Capt" Baxter be at Albany ; &
therefore desire if his Maf pleases, that M"' John Palmer, M"" James Graham, M""
Nicholas Ba5^ard, INP Gabriel ^^invielle, M"" William Smith, AP Frances Lamboats,
INP Matthias Nichols, or so luaiiv of them as his Mat'' please mav be added to the
niiowLn™'""""" ^'^"^ v^\l\\ some yearly allowance to the Councill, it being very reasonable because
]L8tT'rlioy'i"'aIi.iea ^'^^7 neglcct their own to follow liis Mat*"' business. If Connecticut Colony &
dofray"iho"(jhargl" East Jerscy 1)0 added this Government will very well defray all requisite charges

Coll Dongan has
seized his Boolis
lice is found near
SniFiili debtor to
the King.

Reffirstothe Charge
tfcollier I'apers sent
or llie Couuell

Mr Santen not s

Captn l!roe1<IieIl9
or Capt Baxter at
Albany

Prays that Mr Pal-
mer, Mr Oratiani
MrBayard MrMin
vielle MrSiiiiili. M
Rumbnulls Mr.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V.

421

I humbly beg of your Lodp to dispatch M" Spraerg with as much speed as possible, severall
occasions very much requiring his suddeu return hitiier

jMy Lord all my accts shall be sent to M' Blathwayt audited here by the fa-st opportunity and
beleive me I have been a better husband in managing the little Revenue of this place, than I
ever was in any affair of my own ; and doubt not but his Mat'' will be very well satisfied with me

My Lord in searching for the Papers relating to his Mat'" Revenue (of which we could not
find many) I saw a charge against myself with some other Papers a Letter to his Mat' and a
letter to your Lodp which I take the liberty to send to your Lodp I am my honoured Lord

with all respect

Your Lodp's most obedient most

Humble Servant
New York Thomas Doscan

Feby 22-lGSf

P. S
Mv Lord

A Peticon from
ye Judges

I send your Lodp a Petition from tlie Judges of this place; & humbly desire
that some thing may be done for them, it is otherwise impossible they should live
in so expensive a Citty, one from the French Inhabitants & another from Judge
Palmer in particular relating to a suit of his in Chancery his Ma«* allhirs requiring
his stay here I could not give him leave to go home ; and therefore take the
liberty humbly to recommend him to your Lodp since I began my letter M'' Santen
has been so troublesome that I am forced to send him home and desire your Lodp
to give order to John Wake Masf of the Elizabeth Katherine to whom he shall
deliver him

I find now that of all y^ debts M"' Santen pretends to have been standing out none
will be received they having been either received by him or such as have not are
soe bad nothing is ever to be expected of them

Hee is very abusive Rogue & Rascall are the civilest terms he gives me or any of the Couucill
threatning us with Chaines at least for what we have done to him

It proves a mistake there was no letter for your Lodp only one for his Mat^

The Debt stand-
ing out will not
be received

My Lord

Mr Panten found
coiiai.ii-rabh-
in.lebted to'his
Maty & convic'tei]
of Misdemeanors

Governor Dongan to tlie Lord Fresident.

[Xew-Tork Entry, II. 149.]

M"' Santen the late Collector here having been found by the Auditors of his
accompts very considerably indebted to His Majesty as likewise being convicted
by the Judgment of the Councill on sev" articles exhibited against him of sev"
other crimes & misdemeanors was by me by the advice of the said Councill
suspended from the said offices of Collector & receiver untill his Matys pleasure
should be known therein

422 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

is sent home in Siiicc which it has bceti thought fitt (he so desiring tlie same) to send him home

to abide the King's pleasure in Premises and he not being able to give the security
required for the doing thereof I have sent him Prisoner to your Lodp by the bearer John Wake
commander of the shipp Elizabeth & Katharine who has orders to receive your Lodps directions
for what he shall do with him

Therefore I desire your Lodp will be pleased to give such order therein that as soon as may
be the Prisoner be taken out of the said Wake's care & secured till his Maty's pleasure be
known what he will be pleased to have done with him, I am

Yo'' Lodps most humble Sen^ant
New York 23 Feb Tiio : Dongan

16Sf

Governor Dongan to the King.

[Sew-Turk Eulrics, II. 1-24.]

Maij it Please your Mal^

I humbly beg your Maty' Pardon for this great presumption in the trouble of this letter
M'' Penn hath written that I was to be called home and I doe not doubt but would doe all hee
can to effect it, having noe great kindness for mee, because I did not consent to his having
Susquehannah River

I have nothing but what comes from your IMaf if I had Millions they were all at your Mat''
service, and as I have always and am obliged will entirely submitt to whatsoever it shall please
your Maf to do for mee, but S"^ when 1 came hither, things were in great disorder, and all the
If the ciif.ior advantages I could make were laid out in your Maf' service and if the Collector
TmsuheKmg^ had faithfully performed the Trust reposed in him your Mat^ had not owed one
lul would give Farthing, besides many things had been done which are not, hee would give mee
noe^acc a ong ^^^^ account a loug time, soe that I was forced by advice of the Council to suspend

has suspended i-ni. • i i i ti i* ,

him him, and seize all his papers in order to have tliem audited, and soe it appears tliat

Is found £3000 in by wliat hcc is indebted and hath trusted contrary to my order above 3000 pounds

debt to the '•'■■— "^

ooi Dongan de! wiU bcc duc to your Maf therefore 1 humbly beg of your Maf that I may remain

sires U} coutiuuo .,TT • 1111 1-1 r- ^T 1 jliT

here untill I oret in what hath been laid out lor your Mat", and pay that I owe,

New York will ./ i ^

be nw eiiarge if wliicli will bee ill a short time, especially if Connecticut & East Jersey bee added,

Connecticut be i -

'"'J'-''' and besides those things will bee done here which of Necessity should bee

1 do assure your Maf that I have been a greater husband in the management of your Mat"
Revenue then ever I was in any concern of my own but at this present cannot give your IMaf
the exact State of it by reason of the Collectors imperfect accompts from whom I never receiv''
as much as the establishment amounts to

May it jdcasc your Mat"

thinks it best to ^'^ ''^ '"7 '^[''"'0" •^^''^t it vvcrc bcst to Famie the Revcuue the paying of soe

farm tiie lieveuuo j^^,^„y imndrcd pouiitl yearly to OIKcers, & Vessels being vast charges, but if it
sh"* not please your Ma'*' to Do it, 1 humbly beg that I may have tiie naming of a Collector here
those who come out of England expecting to run suddenly into a great Estate which this small
place cannot afford them

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 423

spraS'fo"seme- ^^' Spriigg the secretary hath proved hiniself a good servant to your "SlaV and a

mem of salary great help to mee, what perquisits hee gets here are scarely able to maintain him &

his clerks therefore I humbly beg of your Mat^ that hee may liave some yearly

N York will bee allowance, and as soon as can be despatched, things being much at a stand untill his

noecharaeifCon- ' r ' O o

necticui be added fetum This Placc will not bee a charge to your Maf if Connecticut be annexed
to it tho many expences come of course as your Mat' may please to see in my
cif"L"'uirv"™e'(f answer to the Heads of Inquiry which I humbly beg of your MnV to have read
read lo the King ijgfQfg ygu, there being in it a satisfactory account of your Maf' concerns in these
hassentaMapp Couutrys And I scud a Mapp alsoe of this and the adjoyning Goverments which

shew the extent and inequality of them & of Canada alsoe
Pray captn Bax- The Collector hath made a great bustle that hee intends to ruin mee. That

be heard - ° your iNIaf may bee fully informed of the truth I send Capt" Baxter and M' Spragg
and humbly beg your MaV will discourse them, who certainly are not so impudently wicked
as to tell what is false to your Mat-'.

The Collector hath been soe outrageous & troublesome that I am forced to send him home and
tho I beleive his malice will invent many Falsehoods against mee, which I beseech your Mat^
not to credit

The revenue shall bee managed by two sufficient and knowing Persons M"'
Graham to man- gtephanus Van Courtlandt and M'' James Graham, I beseech your Matys pardon

age the Revenue "^ 1 ./ j i

for this long letter I know noe person at Court I had rather confide in, then directly
to address myself to your Mat" great clemency Prudence & goodness

Yo'' Maf* most Humble
, most obedient & most Duti''""

Servant
The 2** March Thos Dongax

1686

Governor Dongan to the Lord President.

[New-York Entry, 11. 127.]

My Lord

I humbly entreat your Lop' for this second trouble after a former so long so tedious a letter
The Report that the King hath commanded mee home, to serve in his army,
is so frequent, and comes from soe many places, Alltho' I have not had it from any
of ray friends, yet am a little surprized to hear it. Your Lop knows with what great disadvantage I
was called out of France, the Intendant of Nancy hath certified that above 5000" was due to mee,
my going to Tangier did not enrich my condicon. Expences did more than ballance my Profitt

I have taken a great deal of Fatigue, to settle this place which was in confusion and raise
his Maf a revenue to defray the charges & shall bee sorry, if I must bee removed from my
Post just when it begins to bee agreeable & easy tho' no one shall more readily obey his
Maf' commands, yet my Lord it will bee very hard for mee to go home, until the Debts both
the King and I owe in this place are satisfied which will not bee long ; and humbly beseech

424 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

5roiir Lop to speak to his Mat-^, that I may hee continued at least untill that bee effected & bee
assui-ed your Lop will lay the Highest obligation upon

INIy Hoii'''^ Lord

Your Lop' most humble
New York the 2'' day obedient servant

of March 16S6 Thos Dongan

Read IS May 1G87

My Lord

Mr santen says he ^ havc Sent oue of the Couucill 2 or 3 times to M'' Santcn For those obligations
f'uT j^Debto'sS- that he pretends to the Audit he hath taken for some of the Revenue that is out,
his return is that he has none, and if hee had hee would not deliver them mee,
I am of opinion theres not a Farthing. Pray my Lord order that hee deliver
Khway'Tparticn- thcm to M"' Blatliwayt to bee sent over if any hath. Three I know hee must
Pawuns& Colliers havc M"" Gartons, Pawlings & Colliery. I hope I shall bee able to give a better
accompt of the Revenue the next year than ever has been given yet, for I iiave
laid the management of it upon M"' James Graliam & M' Stephen Van Courtlandt
who are both able honest men and one of them of the Couucill

ing out

(iesirps they may

Mr Graham & Mr
Courtlanf-it to ma-
nage the Keveiioe

Address of (he ifaijor and Common Council of JVew-Yofk to the King.

[Sew- York Entries, I. 153-15S.]

The humble address of the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Commonalty of
your Majestys Citty of New York.

Most Gracious Sovereign

May it jilcase Yo'' most ExcclV Mai".
Hauing a deep sense of y' Innumerable graces & favors that your Ma''' hath been pleased to
extend unto this Yo"' Ma"' Citty wee find it our duty to embrace all occasions to manifest the
same unto Yo' most gracious Majesty and in all humble & submissive manner to supplicat Yo""
most gracious Majesty to accept of an humble acknowledgement for your Ma'J" late favours in
recommending to Yo"" Majestys Captain General of this Province the preservation of all the
ancient rights & Priviledges of this Yo"" Ma'^" Citty in the Management of Trade which of late
years hath much decreased thro' the impetuous encroachments of Our Neighbours tlie Inhabitants
of East and West Jersey, Pensilvania & Conecticut. The unwearied endeavors of Your
Majesty's Governor for the supporting of Your Ma""' interest, & preserving the Trade of this
Citty & Albany which are the only pillars on which Yo"' Ma''''' revenue is erected, hath in some
measure barred their pretences, A particular Accompt whereof your Ma"' will find fully
expressed in an address unto Yo' Ma''' from Your Ma'''" Captain General & Council of this Your
Ma'^' Province, And alsoe fully delineated in a Mapp which his Ex''° hath with much labor &
charge accomplisluul to give Your Ma"' a true information of the state of this province to which
wee humbly referr Your Ma''' and doubt not but that it will bring Your Ma''' into the consideration

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 425

of the absolute necessity there is that those adjacent parts of Connecticut East and West
Jersey, Pensilvania, or at least soe far of Pensilvauia as extends from the Falls of Susquehannah,
should bee united to this Yo' Ma'>'* Province ; th' effect whereof will not only secure Your Ma'^"'
Govemm', but will likewise make it formidable against all that may become Yo"' INIa'*"' Enemys ;
ease Yo'' IMa'^' of the charge, & alsoe bring in considerable profit unto Yo'' Majesty's Cotters.

Most Dread Sovereign, Wee being moved by noe other impulse than the advancing
Your Ma'"'' Dignity & Interest in these Parts, are persuaded to lay further at Yo'' Ma'^"' feet y*
late Encroachm" the French have made upon our Indian Trade, in pretence of promoting the
CIn'istian Faith among them. Tiie Indian Trade is the best hrancii of his Ma'-^'^ Revenue and
it is very needful to bee maintained. The method proposed by Our Noble Governor in that
Address formerly mentioned will certainly restore it to its former Channel. Most Illustrious
iSovEREiGX our Duly and Affection to Yo'' Mn'-^'" Sacred Government doth further engage us to
inform Yo"' most sacred Ma'^" That understanding that some persons tiuit are disaff'ected to Yo"'
Ma"'"' Government of this Province and Cittj', haue endeavored to suggest unto Yo'' Ma'", tiiat
Yo'' Majestys Captain General of this Yo'^ Ma'^'' Province had in the Charter granted to this
Yo'' Ma'^'' Citty for the Preservation of Trade & confirnmcon of the former Privileges and
Rights Yo"" Ma'" and Yo"" INIa''"' former Governors did successively grant & confirm unto this
Yo"' Ma'^'' Citty, had given the Dock of this Citty to the same, in prejudice to Yo"' Ma''' &
several Inhabitants. Most gracious sovereign, the suggestion is altogether erroneous and
contrived on purpose to stain Yo'' Ma'^'' Governor. This Citty ever since the foundation was
laid hath had always the same Rights and Privileges it now possesseth. And that Dock whicii
is made for encouragement of Trade, encreasing Yo"" Ma'^' Revenue and securing of Shipping,
was built by the Inhabitants of this Yo'' Ma''''' Citty at their own proper costs and charge & is
maintained by the same. The Govemm' of the whole Citty is altogetlier lodged in Yo'' Ma'''
& Gov^ The Mayor, Recorder, Sherif, Town Clerk appointed by Yo'' Ma''' or Governor, the
rest are only servil Officers appointed by the people. And in the Charter granted Your
Majesty's Prerogative is preserved; the Inhabitants obliged to maintain it; And in the whole
Citty not one person displeased with it, except the Author of those clamors. Soe, most Dread
Sovereign, as all that wee possess wee owe to Yo'' Ma''"' Pi-otection ; soe all that wee iiave both of
lives & ffbrtunes shall bee continually imployed for the preservation of Yo''Ma"'' life & Government ;
Wee humbly supplicat the eternall God who is the Establisher of Kings & Preserver of Monarchy
to continue blessing Your Ma''' with long life & a peaceable and prosperous Reigu.
Your Mat''' loyal, dutiful, and obedient Servants

- 'W. Bayard, Mayor

Ja : Graham Rec''" John Wolfe Town CI :

B. Bayard Assistant Johannes "Vanbrugh, Alderman

W"" Cox, Assistant Francois Rojiboult, Alderman

^Thomas Dekey, Assistant Alderman

Johannes Hainbenhoig,' Ass' ^W Cortlandt, Aid
I'. D. Lanov Ass' Thomas Crundall, Aid'

Isaac Van Ulecq, Alderman.

' N. Bataed. ' Theuxis Dekay. ' Joiiaxnes Van Cortlaxdt. ' J V Coiitlaxdt. See uaiiios of the Aldermen

and Assistants, in Valentine's Manual of the Common Council of the City of New- York. — Ed.

Vol. hi. 64

426 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. iTi-aham to Mr. F>pragg.

[New- York Piipi-rs, B. 11. SJ4.]

Sir.

] am iiivitt'd hy your favours to give you by tiiis occasion acl^nowledgenients and also to
acquaint you tiiat M"' Svvinton departed this life the -3''^ currant, after that he had been violently
seized with three fitts of apoplexie. In the intervall of his lltts he was very sensible but without
apprehensions of death, liowever was prevailed with to make a will, by which has constituted
IM' Delaval his executor, his affairs are in great confusion and he judged to be indebted itUOO.
besides what his engagements may be to you, his E.vcell : being at Albany, The Councill
sealed up the Ollice in which state it now remains and will continue until His ExcelP pleasure
be knowen. M'' Knights iu the mean time does the service of tlie OlKce — Last night I received
a letter from his Excell : in which adviseth that tlie French had assaulted the Senequaes and
were worsted, repoit by other hands saying the French had TiOO men killed, the certainty wants
confirmation, however, its consequence is like to be very injurious to us, we having already very
little trade besides are likely to be ingaged in a bloody warr, whose events is uncertain, we are
strangely surprised with the french proceedings, not knowing what moves them to invade his
Maj'>^ dominions, without giving notice and so soon after the publication of the treaty of
commerce betwixt the two Crowns — p'' the next which will be Jacob Maurits His Excell : will
give you a full account of his resolves, he having sent a messenger to the Fi-ench, which is not
yet I'eturned — Five days agoe My Lord Effingham .... S'' Robert Parker arryved here
Ironi \'irginia, he laments the Governours absence, otherwisf wer satisfied with his entei'tainment ;
all yourfriends are well, my \\ife kisseth your hands and joins with me in the request you woidd
give our duty to our Father our service to Major I'axter, to whom please to excuse not writing,
being strained with time, and accej)t of the assurance that 1 am

[New- York, July IG, KJS/.] Sir

3"our affectionate friend and most Inunble servant

(Signed). Ja Graham

Order to Governor iJungan concerning French Protestants.

I Nuw-Yiirk KntriM, I. ICO.]

After our very hearty commendations ; His Ma*'' having been made acquainted with the
Petition of Divers Frencli Protestants transmitted by you, humbly praying that being come with
their families to settle at New York, liberty may bee granted unto them to trade to his Ma'"''
Plantations in such manner as His Ma'>''^ natural born subjects ; And his Ma"" being graciously
inclined to give all due encouragement to such French Protestants as are setled or shall become
Inhabitants of New York, Wee have received His Ma'^'' Commands to signify His Royal
Pleasure unto you That you give unto them all fitting encouragement soe far forth as may bee
consistent with His Ma'''"' service in those parts. And that you doe forthwith transmit unto us
(and soe from time to time) the names of such French Protestants as desire to settle or continue

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 427

in tliat Province, to th'end that Letters of Denization may pass under y' great seal of England,
whereby they may become qiialilied to trade to His Ma'^'* Plantations according to their request
and the several acts of Trade & Navigation in that behalf. And soe wee bid you heartily
farewell. From the Council Chamber at White Hall the lO"" of July 1GS7.

Your very loving freinds

Jeffreys C. Sunderland P.

Arundell C. p. S. Craven.

Warrant for a new Seal for the Province of Neiv-Yorh

[New-York Entries, I. 1C4.]

James R.
To our trusty & Welbeloved Thomas Dongan Esq'' Our Capt. General and Governor in Chief
in & over our Province of New York & the Territorys depending thereon in America
Greeting.

Herewith you will receive a Seal appointed by us for the use of Our Province of New York
& the Territorys depending thereon in America, the same being engraven on tiie one side with
Our Royal Effigies on Horsback in Arms over a Landskip of Land & Sea, with a Rising Sun
and a Scrole containing this Motto. Aliusq el Idem. And our Titles round the circumference of
the said Seal ; There being alsoe engraven on the other side Our Royal Arms with the Garter,
Crown, Supporters & Motto, With this Liscription round y* Circumference Sigillum, rrovhuia
Noslrce Noli Eboraci f^'c in America; which said Seal wee doe hereby authorize & direct to bee
used in the Sealing all Patents & Publick Grants of Lands, and all Publick Acts and Instruments
which shall bee made & passed in our Name & for our service within our said Province and the
Territorys depending thereon. And that it bee to all intents and purposes of the same force &
validity as any former seal within our said Province, or as any other seal whatsoever appointed
for the use of any of Our Plantations in America is or hath been. And soe Wee bid you
farewell From our Court at Windsor this fourteenth day of August 1CS7 in the third year of
Our Reign.

By his Ma'^'* Command
-^ ... Sunderland.

428 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order erecting New Perth in Easi Jersey into a Port of Entry.

[New-York Enlriea, I. 103.]

After Our very hearty Commendations. Whereas by former Instructions given unto you His
]Ma'^ has thought fitt to Order, Tiiat all Ships & Vessels coming within the river and channel of
New York shall enter at His Ma'^'* Citty and Port of New York, His Ma"' is pleased, upon
further consideration, to direct us to signify his pleasure unto you That you permit all ships &
Vessels hound for New Perth in His Majesty's Colony of East-New Jersey to goe directly thither,
without touching at New York or being carried thitlier until further order. Provided always
that the Government of East New Jersey doe suffer such person as you or the Receiver Generall
of His Ma"'''* Revenue at New York for the time being shall appoint, peaceably & quietly to
receive & collect for His Ma"''* use the same Customs & Imposts as are usualy paid at New York
for such shipps and their lading as are entred there. And soe wee bid you very heartily farewell.
From the Council Chamber at Windsor the 14"' day of August 1GS7.

Yo'' very loving freinds

Sunderland P. ^

Arundel C. P. S. Middletox
Bathe Godolphin

J. Eknle.

AViLLiAM Dlatiiwayt.

To our very lo: freind
Tlio: Dongan Esq'' His
Ma*'''* Captain General
& Gov'' of New York

Governor Dongan to the Lord President.

[Ni-w-York Entry, II. 150.]

My Lord

The Froncli In

I gave your Lodp an ace' in my last letter that I had Intelligence the French
'"°''*'^ were couie on this side of the lake, to war witii the Sinekes

I send the Bearer Judge Palmer to give his Maty an account of their Inuading his Territories
without any niamier of Provocation if your Lodp will please to read his Instructions you will
find a true acconipt of their Proceedings

The Senekas desired assistance of men but 1 put them ott" bv giving them

Bssiatanct' of mon * . ^j -j

i'owder. Lead, Arms & other things, fitting & necessary for them & also by
making su(-h J 'repositions as 1 thought would please them being unwilling actually to ingage
the French imtil 1 knew his Maty's jjleasure

I must needs say of y" French without being Partiall tiial tiiey are very unjust, to enter the
Kings Territoryes in a hostile manner after the offers I made them

I know their Pretence will bee, that our Indians have wronged them, but it is not soe, for
the Beaver Trade is the sole end of tlu'ir Designs, what ever Colour they give to their Actions

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 4i>g

which is only hindred by the Five nations of Indinns on this side of tiie Lake, who Imve
submitted themselves & their Lands to the Kings subjection. Those five nations are very
brave & the awe & Dread of all y*" Indyans in these Parts of America and are a better defence
to us, than if they were so many Christians

The claim the French can make, to the farther Indians, or any on this side of y" Lake is no
other than what they may have to Jappan which is that some of their I'riests have resided
amongst them

Peace, or Warr, it will be very necessary to send over men & to Iniild those Forts, 1 have
mentioned in my Instructions to Judge Palmer, for the French are encroaching as fast as they
can, and a little thing can prevent now what w'ill cost a great expence of Blood & money
hereafter. ]\Iy Lord there are people enough in Ireland who had pretences to Estates there &
are of no advantage to the country & may live here very happy I do not doubt if his Maty
think fitt to employ my Nephew he will bring over as many as the King will find convenient
d.<^iro« conneoiicut ^^ scud who wlU be uo charge to his Maf after they are Landed, Provided all
mayhta^iV'rio*' Couuecticut & East & West Jersey be added to this Government & to add any
1. juMiamcn ^\^\^^g pf Conuecticut to Boston is the most unproportionable thing in the world
thej^ having already a hundred times more Land, Riches & People than this Province &
yet the Charge of this Governm' more than that

They have a vast advantage by that Branch of this Government which was lately annexed
to them

My Lord I hope if y'' French should pursue this Warr, his Maty will lay his

Assistance from the -^ , n i V, r> i at - , , • ^-^ i ' c ti\

other Plantations Commands on all the (rovernors or the JNeighbournig Colonies & I'lantations to

against the French

be aiding & assisting to one another with men and money

My Lord, M'' Graham & M" Courtlandt will send accounts, to M' Blathwayt, of

Eevenue -^ ^

the Revenue and notwithstanding it is much lessened, by the French diverting
the Beaver Trade I doubt not but there will be a better account of it this j^ear than ever was
had in M' Santens time

I could wish it were his Majestys Pleasure that M'' Graham were made Collector & M"'
Courtlandt Auditor of his Mat>''' Revenue of this Province with such Salary as his Ma'>' thinks
fitt (it being the only Employment most necessary for his Ma'-^" service) to auditt all the
accompts that from time to time must be seirt over, I know them both to be very just
persons who for no consideration whatsoever, would do contrary to the Trust reposed in them,
the Kings Attorney requested me to represent to his Mat^ that a Salary may be settled upon
that Place as is on those of the like imployment in other his Matys Plantations in America, he
has & does his Maty good service therefore I desire your Lodp to recommend it
The Revenue was ^^7 Lord iu M'^ Satcus time so much of the Revenue never went through my
swi'nMrSanten-s j^^^^j^ ^^ ^^^^j ^^^ ^j^^ Establishment the Judges & Officers
The Garrison paid The Guarison was upvvards of a year upon my hands before any of the Itevenue

came in

A Great part of the Fort & Breast Work which was down I have rebuilt, ha\e,

and still am repairing the Batteries have remount"' seven & thirty Guns, with
new Carriages have new Roof'd the Officers quarters &' am patching & mending y* Soldiers
& my own, Dayly the timber & Plank in this Country moultring away to dust in four or
five years time — the Fort at Albany being quite Rotted away, I have rebuilt this year
with Pine Trees ; as it was before (but double the Charge I have been at would have built it

430 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

of Lime & Stone) our enemies here not requiring those strong Forts as are necessary in
Europe. I have remounted thirteen Gunns there and done severall other tilings too tedious to
insert here, which in my accounts wlien sent over will hee seen

If the money M' Santen was found to he hehind to tlie King, & tliat he pretended to he due
here had come to my liands, the King had not been soe much indebted to me as your Lordsliip
cannot but beleive his Mats' novs^ is, nor had I owed soe much to the People. Neither see I any
possible means of retreiving it, nor that tiie Governm' can subsist as it is (tho with the greatest
Peace except those other Plantations, I mentioned before be joyned to this

My Lord I hope I do what is my duty I having given & still do an account of things here as
they really are, & have been since my coming to the Governm'

His Maty ordered not long since that we should have some Powder, Anns &

stores reed '-'

Muscf Bulletts of the Quantity that was to be sent I rec" but 50 Barrels of

Powder & fifty Amies, and some Musquett Bulletts and for building those Forts it

More wanting ^ .^^ ^^ neccssary, to send over Spades, Sliovells Pick Axes & Hatchetts, & 10 &

12 thousand weight of all sorts of Nailes, Granado Shells we have enough, but no body that

mulerstnnds Jiow to use tiiera

1 cannot but be surprized at tlie accompt I have from Albany that the Governor
i);.ngidoneof"ur of Canada has hanged one of our people a French man that went a Trading with
Roseboon & RP Gregory and that tliey have taken severall of our Indians
Prisoners wlio tliey pretend to be at Peace with

1 send your Lodp copies of some of my letters to Mons'' La Bar & Mons'' de Nonville y"
present & late Governors of Canada whereby your Lodp may see what offers' I have made
them & what endeavors I iiave used to keep a good correspondence with them as also wiiat
Propositions I have made to the Indians their answers, and a relation of the late engagement
with tlie French since my writing the first part of this Lre The messenger sent with the Articles
of Peace to Canada, is come back & has brouglit in nn answer to mine in very insolent &
provoking Langunge, as your Lodp may perceive by tiie letter itself wliich I likewise send & a
copy of my answer to it

I humbly box of'vour Lodp to send me orders by the first conveniency, what I

Prsircs speedy J o . r

<"''^"'' am to do in this juncture of time, for Mons'' de Nonville has unjustly as well

without Provocation as success invaded the Kings Territories, and now seeks to lay the blame
on me but its absolutely without any reason, for I have only done my Endeavor to secure tiie
Beaver Trade and those five nations firm to his Matys subjection without which the Kings
Revenue here will be utterly ruined and all his Matys subjects in these parts of America in
Danger.

My Lord I know Judge Pahner will be soliciting for a maintenance for him & the other Judge.
I desire if his Maty shall think fitt to allow any, that it may be referred to mee, for I know very
well the advantages they have & what salary is fittest for them

I am your Lodps most obed'

& most humble Servant

Thos Doxgan

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 431

Examination of KahariaU, an Indian Prisoner.

[Board of Trade, New- York Papers, III.]

New Yoike 1GS7. August tlie 31" in Fort Jnmes.

Examination of Kaliarriel a Christian Maquasc brought a I'risoimcr from CannacUi
and Albany, examined before me Stephanas van Courtland Interpreted by
Akus Corneliius from Schennectida.

Imjiihiii-'i Being asked if bee was not ashamed to leave his owne Country and to goe to
Canada and fight witli the French against his owne friends relations and neigbburs ;

Hee answered that hee was, butt was forced to itt and when a j)riest should come att
Saraghtoge that then they would all returne thither, for as soone as Jaunitie told them att
Canada that a priest was come to bee att Saragtoge, eight families resolved first to goe a
bunting and then returne to the Saragtoge, because they would not come with empty iiands,
and when they came from a hunting, it was just at the time, that the French went to warr with
the Sinnakes, and then were forced by the French to goe along in that warr and threalned to
bee imprisoned if they did not goe; and soe about one hundred and forty Christians Maquass,
went off with one Oneiade, one Onnondage, and Kryn the Maquase were Captaines, and the
whole army mett att Mount Royall, from thence they went up in one hundred and forty
Boates, in each Boate ten Menn and a greate number of Cannoes ; a greate number of French
in the Front, the Indians in the middle and then the rest of the French in the reare, and were
three dayes between iSIount Royall and Cadarakie, then the Army went over tlie Lake to
Canohage' and soe along tlie Shore side, till they came att Orondokott the Sinnekes landing
place ; there the French made a Fort and rested three dayes butt before they landed they mett
with a Brigantine, in which Arnout Viele the Interpreter of Albany was being taken prisoner
as hee was going to Ottowawe with the rest of his company a tradeing; the second day four
Sinnakers appeared, and called to the French asking, what they did there, the Gov' answered,
I make a Fort and am come to warr against you, the Sinnekes replyed, you cannot come soe
farr as to our Castle, being asked why is itt soe farr, they answered noe, butt wee will
bee att* the Army before it comes there ; upon that they went their way. The next day being the
third day after the landing, the Army marched towards the Sinnakes Castles in small Journeys,
the following morning they marched very early and saw some Sinnekes upon which the
Tvvightwighs^ and other Indians would fire, butt the Gov' would not suffer itt. Ab' eight or
nine o'clock several Sinnekes were seen the French Indians would liave boiled their potts, butt
the Gov' bid them March on and did send his spyes out, who returning, brougiit tiding of the
Sinnakes and their coming; upon which the Gov' put all the Indians in the Front, because hee
mistrusted them for feare, they would joyne with the Sinnakes. A little time after the

' Called bj the French Gaiiihouague, or Kaiuliouaguc, four leagues from OnoiiJaga (Paris Doc. (MS.), II., 321, S7S);
between four or five leagues from the mouth of the river (Oswego), towards Montreal. Charlevoix, Hist. Kouv. Fr.,
12mo., II., 319, Liv. XI. Golden says it is about thirty miles from Onondaga. Hist. Five Nations, p. 63. Kow supposed to
be Salmon river, Oswego county. — Ed.

' " beatt" Xew-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXV. — Ed.

' "In July (1723), the Twigtwies arrived here, and brought an Indian interpreter with them, who told that tliey wcro
called by the French, Miamies, and that they live upon the brandies of the Mississippi." Kew- York Council Minutes, XIV.,
896. — Ed.

432 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Siiinakes appeared being six hundred in number of which butt four liundred did fight and fired
upon the French, wherein they had tiie best falling upon the French with their swords and
hatchets, makeing the French Indians to fly so, that they could not be brought to stand ; the
Christian Maquaas stood a long time butt att last fled with the rest; the Sinnekes brooke into
the French, just wliere the Gov'' was witli intention to break or diuide some French from the
rest and to destroy them, hut the rest of the French coming up made the Sinnakes stand and
retreate, whereupon the Gov'' fortified himselfe and lay tliere that night, being not farr from tlie
f?innakes Castle ; next morning being rainie vvJicather, the whole army marched towards tlie
I'^innekes Castle, and [the] Cio\'' gave orders that the wt)unded Men siiould be carried along as
tliey did, butt tlie Dead Frenchmen ware left upon the field unhurried ; the Indians carried their
wounded men also with tiiem, butt buryed their dead ; eight Frenchmen were killed and many
wounded, amongst wliich one Jesuett, that lived amongst the Ottowavvas deadly wounded; four
Cliristian Indians & two others were killed and several wounded. Comeing to the Castles, the
Sinnakes have already burnt them, and then their Army made a stand. The French Indians
heareing that the Sinnekes ware in a Castle not farr ofl', would goe to enquire after them, butt
the GoV would not lett them goe, the Indians said, it is wee that must fight, and therefore let
us goe to finde out our P^nemie, tlie Gov"" would not, butt did send four hundred French to
surround the Sinnaques and the rest of the Army should follow; and comeing to said Fort
i'omid no Sinnekes there, so, returned in tlie Army and said that the Sinnekes were fled haveing
found several goods upon the rlioads, wliich the (iov'' thought strange, because the Sinnakes
spoke so higli of their valour. Next morning the Gov'' gave orders to cutt downe all the Indian
corne, which the Indians refused, so the French did it themselves, by which several out fields
ware saved; the French were five dayes a marching from one Castle to the other, by every
Castle they stood one night and one daye, to cutt downe and destroy the Corne, in one village
they gott some Hogs & fowle and destroyed and burned all the houses, and soe returned to
Irondegatt, a few Sinnekes sometimes appearing, but did not doe any mischeife. Two dayes
they stayed att Irondekatt, then the GoV gave orders to goe by water to Oniagoragh, wiiicli
the Christian Indians refused and went back to Cadaraghie, butt ten or twelve canoes with
French went after them, who at last persuaded them to go along to Oniagoragh, except two
Cannoes (whereof this Deponent was one) and some River Indians who escaped.

Since tiiat time this Deponent has heard that the French have made a Fort at Oneagoragh
and have putt great Gunns and foure hundred Frenchmen in itt, and hath given orders, that all
the Farr Indians are to meet there, when he goes out againe ; the Gov"" hath also left four
hundred Men at Kadaraglikie. This Depon' comeing att Mount Royall saith, wee have heard
that five shipps with soldiers were arrived att Quebeck and that more ware to come ; saith also
that last spring a great Man arrived out of France with one Thousand Men, who, as soone lice
landed Marclied up to Mont Koyall and went with the army into the Sinnekes Country, and is
there now att Oniagoragh, all tlie rest of the Frenchmen are returned.

Being asked whether they knew in Canada that the Five Nations were united, hee answered :
noe, butt that Kryn a Maquase borne, & Capt" of the Cliristian Indiiins was to come with five
Men more (of which this Deponent and his mate were of the Company) att the first Castle of
the Maquasse, from whence his Message was to be sent to the Oiieiadds and Onnondages to
know whether they would have peace or warr, or if they were united with the Sinnekes, and
that they were sent by the Jesuitt that is in their Castle, and beleeve it to bee by the Gov""'
orders ; the Jesuitt told them, that tli(!y should goe by night into the Maquasse Castle, for feare

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 433

they should bee seen, and taken by the English and putt in prison ; and coming from Cnnnida
about halfe way to the Maqiias land, they mett with Capt" Blew Stocking, to whom Kryn
delivered his jNIessague, and then would returne, butt an Indian called Jannitie told him, why
would you returne, come along ; Kryne saith noe, the Jesuit bid me not to goe too farr, that
soe I might fall in the hands of the English for they would keep me prisoner, and soe returned.

Being asked, how many iSinnakes were killed [in] this last Battle, saith sixteen.

And further saith not.

Examination of AdanJidagliho^ an Indian Prisoner.

[Board of Trade, New-Tork Papers, Ur.]

New Yorke 16S7. Sepf the first in Fort James.

The Examination of Adandidaghkoa a Maquase out of the second Castle a
Christan, sent i'rom Albany a prisoner, taken before me Stephanus van
Cortland.

Being asked if it was not a shame, that he left his owne Country and that he went to Cnnida
with the French, to fight against his Brethren & neiglibours answered it was, and that when
bee came last Spring in Canida, the Preist of the Indian Castle bad him welcome and said, it
was well done to come and see his friends and asked him, what his businesse was, the Indian
answered him, to change my Pelters for Beaver, and then I intend to returne ; but when he was
to come away, his relations would not suffer itt because the French had given contrary orders,
the Christian Indians asked him, whether bee intended to goe and fight with the French against
the Sinnakes or not, bee answered noe, whereupon his relations answered him, you shall be
forced to goe, and the French \^ill putt you in prison till the Warr is done and the army returns;
and soe bee was forced to goe. A few daj's after, the French came and gave him and all the
Indians in the Christian's Castle, each thirty Bullets and a double handfull of powder, & bad
them appeare att a French Gents house, neare Mont Royall ; the Christian Indians being about
one hundred and twenty or thirty strong, in meane time the French and other Nations of
Indians all appeared att Mont Royall, and the second day after that the GoV himselfe ; the
number of the French being two' thousand and of all the Indians one thousand. The army went
all by water in about two hundred boates in each Boate soiiie seaven and some tenn Menu, the
rest went in Canoes, they were sometimes forced to draw the Boates with Cordes against the
Frenches,^ the Provisions being part in the Boats and a great deale sent upp before att
Kadraghkie ; they were going up from Mont Royall to Kadraghkie three'' dayes, makeing verry
short journeys ; att Kadaraghkie they rested three dayes from thence they went and lay att
night upon an Island,^ the night after they lay att Cadranganhie' next morning about nine the

■ "foure." Ov'xamaX in New-York Colonial Maiuiscripts, 'K^'KV . — Ed. ' "frcsclics" Ibid. ' "Ten." Ibid.

' Isle aux Gallots (Paris Docinrunts, III.), in the town of Henderson, Jefferson county, Xew-York. — Ed.
' Supposed to be Sandy Creek, Oswego county. — Ed.

Vol. III. 65

434 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

clock they saw ten Onnoiidages att Asanliage' ; the Gov'' gave orders not to meddle ^\^th them,
upon tliat tlie Onnondages gave a greate shout and went their way, and the army went along
the shore side to a passage that goes to the Cayouges ; the day following they saw a Brigantine
att anker, and all the army went ashore and lay there that night. Some of the French went a
Board the Brigantine, where Arnout was as this Examinant has heard ; next day the army
went along and att Jedandago, the Gov"' landed fifty men to discover the place and the rest went
on to Jerondokat, where att the same time they mett w"" the French that came from Twigtwig
and Dowaganha with their Indians, then the Gov"" ordered the Xtian Maquasse and some other
Indians to hee putt in the middle of the Army and stayed tliere tliree dayes till the Fort was
finished, in the meane time four or five Indians came and asked, what the matter was, and
why the French came so strong in their Country, the French answered (by a Xtian Maquasse)
wee come to meet you, the iSinnakes asked againe, and said, why doe you make a Fort, you
should butt come on, for wee intend to kill you all in a short time" The third day the Army
Marched in the afternoone and came that night about half way between tlie Lake & Sinnakes
Castle ; next morning very early after prayers, they marched on all the Indians being putt on
the right side somewhat before the French, and soe marched on till about noone, then the Indians
would bojle their potts, butt the Gov'' bid them March on, till they came upon a greate hill from
whence the (tov'' sent three Dowaganhas^ to spye towards the Sinnakes Castle, who were out
but a little time, and returning said, that the Sinnakes were ueare by and lay in the passage,
I'pon which the Gov'' gave order, that one hundred Indians should bee chosen out and sent to
dis[c]over the Sinnakes, who went but not farr before the Army then the Gov'' sent out againe
fouer Douaganhas Indians and one Frenchman to discover, who went out, and stood in the path
till the army came to them, and a little time after fouer hund'''' Sinnakes appeared att the right
side of the army, where the French Indians were, and with greate cry or shout, fyred upon them
without wounding one Man being too flirr off, butt the Sinnekes advancing came nearer bj^ and
fyred againe, tlien the French Indians got some wounded, who fyred also upon the Sinnakes
;uul wounded some of them, butt tlie Sinnakes came so neare, and tooke an Indian out of the
French army, and cutt off his hands, the rest firing stoutly upon one and the other, till the
Douwaganhas and other French Indians fled without returning to the fight, butt the IMaquass
came up againe and stood their ground till the whole body of the French, came firing all at
once upon the Sinnakes, soe that the Sinnakes retreated, having got some dead and wounded
in that firing; the Gov'' forbidd following of them having gott seven Frenchmen killed and
many wounded, and five dead Indians & several wounded ; of the Sinnekes were killed sixteene
and some wounded ; forthwith the Gov'' gave orders, that the Army should fortify themselves
at the same place where the Battle was, and so stood there all that night. Next morning the
whole Army marched towards the Sinnakes Castle called Kohoseraghe,^ leaving their dead
Frenchmen unhurried, but the Indians hurried their dead, and carried all the wounded French
and Indians willi llicni to the aforesaid Castle, where one of the wounded Men died ^att said
Castle ; they foinid itt all burned, then the Gov'" gave orders that the Christian Indians should
cutt downe & destroy the Indians Corne, which they refused; soe Frenchmen were sent and

' "AJiiiiiliage. " Nev)-Ynrk Colonial J/diinscrijila, XX X V. Must. pnil.al)ly i<liMilii-:il with Guiiilunmjj;!!!'', or Saliiioii river,
Oswego county. Sec note, ante p. -l.Tl. — Ei>. '•' " aii<l sn Rum away." IhiiJ.

' Comprehended under the general name of I'tawawns. Coljfn'x Five yatiotix, p. .12. — Ei>.

* Called the Seneeas' Firxt Castle bj' Aki's Conss. Viei.e, in Ids Journal, dated August, 108 1. JS't-w-York Cvloniul Manu-
srripls, XXXI. — El).

' " Cuming att sd Castell tliey found " io. Ibiil. XXXV. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 435

destroyed all that the}' could find. Afterwards the Gov"' sent four hundred Men to another small
Castle neare by, to surround the same till the whole Army should come, thinking the Sinnekes
might bee there, butt found the same burned also, butt found a great deale of provisions which they
destroyed, takeing only some beanes along with them, for they had provisions enough, every Man
carried some and the boates were loaden att Jerondekott with come and other necessaries, soe the
Army went to every place where the Castles were' and lay att every Castle one night destroying
all the corne they could finde except some out fields, which the Xtian Indians would not show
them. The Sinnekes made severall times small allarms, butt never attacked the French, since
the first fight. From the last Sinnekes Castle called Theodehacto,- the x\rmy went back againe,
by an other way, as they came to Jerondekatt, being butt one night by the way, and were butt
two dayes still there, then the Gov'' gave orders that the whole army should goe directly to
Oneageragh butt the Xtian Indians refused itt butt would returne to Kadaraghie, and soe w'ent
that way, the Gov'' forthwith followed them with seven Canoes [in] each seven Menu, and stopt
them saying, what is the matter that you leave us, it is better that wee goe and returne
together ; butt they would not, till one Smiths John stood up and spoke very loud, saying to
the rest of the Xtian Indians, you hear what the Gov'''* will is, that wee should goe up with
him, if wee doe not, he will force us to it ; come, you are lusty Men, let us goe with him. soe
they were perswaded, and returned back with the Gov'', severall Canoes endeavoured yett to
escape, butt were soe watched by the French, that they could not except two or three Canoes
that stole away ; soe were forced to goe with the French along the shore side of the Lake till
they come to Oneagoragh being two days by the way, where the French made a Fort, and put
two great gunns and several Pattareras in itt with fouer hundred Men to bee there in Garrison,
After they had been there five dayes, the rest of the Army returned to Cadarackque & slept
there one night, and left there some Men, from whence they went to Mont Royall in two dayes,
there this Deponent left the Gov'' and the Christian Indians went to their Castles. Being further
asked why the French made warr against the Sinnekes, answered, that the French said that the
Sinnakes had plundered some Frenchmen and done more other mischeife (he has also beared
that more Frenchmen are come at Quebeq out of France to continue the Warr. Being also
asked whether the Maquasse that are in Cannida would not returne in to tlieir own Country,
said; that many have an inclination soe to doe and that hee with Kryn and others were sent
for that purpose to see whether they might come since this warr hath happened, for they
were sent by the Preist that was in their Castle to goe and see whether the Maquasse Onejdes
and Onnondages were united with the Sinnekes or if they would keepe themselves neutrall
and if they would bee neutrall then the Priest said that, that their prisoners sh'' bee sent home
to witt, first, one to the Onejdes & two to the Onnondages and afterwards the rest should follow.
This Message was given to Kryn by the Preist with orders to deliver the same to the first
Maquasse hee should raeete with ; if hee met none by the way, then to bring it himselfe. Soe
goeing to the Maquasse Country they met with Capt" Blew Stocking and two other Capf* having
sixty Maquasse with them, about halfe way between Cannada & the INIaquasse Country, being
about midnight, Kryn called to them who is there, the other Party answered Maquasse, Kryn
asked is there no Sinnakes with you. Blew Stocking answered, noe, then Kryn replyed and
said, that is well, and came to Blew Stocking saying : where are you a going & what is your

' "burnt." Xi-w-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXV. — Ed.

' The Second Castle of the Senecas. Viele's Journal. Ibid, XXXI.

436 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

biisinesse, Blew Stocking answered : to look about us, so Kiyn would deliver his Message, as
hee did next day and wee' returned back to Canada.

Being further asked, why the Maquasse did not returne into their owne Country hee answ'"'':
for Religion's sake and that tliey cannot bee quiet because the drunken Indians disturbe them,
butt if a Preist would settle at Saragtoga, many would returne, for they have longed and waited
a long time for itt.

And further saith not.

R. COUTLANDT.

a true Copy examined b}'. John Kxight D Seer:

Irtforiitaiioii furnished hij Saniu/u/ I/arme/tf-s-e and otliers.

[Bnanl of Tr.'idn Papers, Xew-Tork, HI.]

City of New Yorke.

Informations given in upon oath by Nanning Harmentse, Fred : Harmentse and
Dyrick van der Hyden the 7"* Sepf Anno 1GS7. being Exam'' before Nicholas
Bayard Mayor.

Iinpniiiis, the said Nanning and Frederich doe declare that they went out last yeare in the
fall ti-om Albany under the command of C'apt" Roseboom with his Excell : passe to go and
trade with the Ottowawa Indians; and that the said Examinants came as farr as to the
Ottowawas Lake- about l.j day es journey from the Castle, where a party of about 120 French
and Indians from Canida assaulted them and demanded them to yield themselves prisoners, or
upon a refusall to be putt immediately to fire and sword, and that they should not spare one
single Man, whereupon the Examinants troope all yielded themselves prisoners being then in
number 29. Christians 3 Mohoukes and two i\[ahikander Indians.

2ndiy rpj^g ^^j^^ Examinauts doe further say, that the said French plundered all the goods &
Merchandizes which the said examinants had with them, which according to their computation
would have purchased there about eight thousand Beavers.

3'"'' The said examinants doe declare that att the first meeting with tiie French & Indians
the said examinants found the said Ottowawas Indians very much enraged agai[n]st them, being
sett on by the French, as the examinants afterwards were informed, who had made said Indians
to believe, that tiieir Brctin-i'ii prisoners \\\\\\ the Sinnakes were burnt ettc, i)ut when the said
Ottowawas were Informed by the exaiuinants, .Maliikander Indians, that they came to trade
and to propose a ])cace with the Sinnakes, and to thai end sevei-al, that is five of the Ottowawas
Indians prisoners, were brought by the said exam'* in token of friendsliip, the said Ottowawas
retiuned all maimer of kindnesses to tiie examinants and ottered ])n!sents to them with great
resentments against tiu; French in r(>gard of tiie said false infbrniations.

4"''''. Tiiat the Examinants were carried awaj^ as prisoners from the Ottowawas towards a
place called Onjagra, lying on this side of the great Lake.

' " iiii.l .wr ivtui-iir.l l.a.'U t.i Cana.lM." \r,i-Yorlc CI,,,,;,,! Mamtucri pts, XXXV. — Eu.
= l.nkc Iluruii. C/uirlcmir, Hist. Noni: F,:, TAi: XI. — Ki..

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 437

,5'iiiy That the said French and Indyans uppon their going towards said Onjagra did also
meet with Capt" Macgregory with his troop consisting in 29. Xtians G. Indians and 8. prisoners,
that said French and Indians there being in number about 1-500. did also (by tlireatning to kill
and putt to the sword ettc) take the said Capt" Macgregory and conipan}' prisoners, whereof
the Examinants Dyrick van der Heyden was one of the Partie, who declares that all their
goods and merchandizes were also plundered by said French, which bee the said Exam' by
computation would have purchased to that Troop eight or nine thousand Beavers.

(jihiy -pijg g^jj Exam" named [A'anning] Harmentse, Frederick Harmantse and Dyrick van der
Heyder, doe further declare, that they were all carryed as prisoners to Onyagra aforesaid on tiiis
side the great Lake, and tliat the said French now had built a Fort there.

7<i)'y That all the said Examinants were sent from- Onyagra to Cadarackque a Fort beyond
the Lake, except Abell Merrion one of Captain Rosebooms Troop was by sentence or order of
the Gov'' De INonville shott to deatii because bee was Frenciiman born, altho' a subject of his
Majesty of England and having a passe from his Excell'^'' with tiie rest of tiie Troop.

S"y That the said Exam" and all the rest of tlie prisoners, were very barbarously treated
there by the French Commander inforcing them to labour grievous hard in drawing the Bark
to bring materialls for to strengthen and building the Fort and otherwise.

gihiy That the said exam" & comp^ were sent prisoners from Cadarackque to Mont Reall
where they received greater freedome & liberty, without any confinement until the Gov'' De
Nouville arrived, who, after a long discourse with Anthony Lespinard, gave orders that all the
said prisoners should againe be putt to close confinement, which accordingly was done and the
following day sent to Quebecq.

lO'b'y That all the prisoners at Quebeccj were put out to farmers and others for to work for
their victuals.

llihiy That the Exam" in their travell amongst the French, several times lieard reported, tliat
the French Gov'' would not discharge the prisoners unless His Excell'"'' Gov"' Dongan desisted
from supplying the Sinnekas with amunition & other aid & assistance.

jgihiy That the said Exam" also heard reported that the Frencii Gov'" iiad orders from His
master to prosecute the warr with all vigour against the Sinnekes and not to hearken to any
offers of peace until they be totally destroyed.

j^gtbiy 'pjjg Examinants declare that four of them in number made their escape in the night
from Quebecq and came in five dayes time to Albany all the way by water e.xcept one carrying
place of about three Dutch miles and another of about 150 paces. Item, the said Examinants
doe further declare, that they heard Major Macgregory say, that Anthony De Lespinard had
told the French Gov"" that it was not in the power of Gov'' Dongan to hinder that the Indians
should be supplyed with powder, for if the said Gov'' should prohibit the same never so much,
yet the Inhabitants of Albany, before the Indians should want it, would carry it themselves
into the woods and give it to the Indians for nothing.

Dyrick van der Hevder
Nannixg Harmetsen
sworne before me, , Freurvch Harmetsen.

Nicholas Bayard Mayor.

And the said Exam" do further say & declare tliat in their comeing back from Quebecq to
Albany, they mett in Corlaars Lake with Cryn the Sachim of the French Maquess Indians
together with seven Indians more and the said Cryn told the Exam" that hce hath bin with his

438 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

friends the Maquess of Albany to disswade them from warring with the French and to encourage
them to come and live at Canada, or otherwise he would witli all his Indians of Canada come
and live with his relations and friends the Maquess of Albany, provided Corlaer, meaning
thereby his Excell'^^ the Gov', did send preists in the Castles which he hath long promised but
not performed.

And lastly said Examinants doe declare that one of their Troopers by name Abell Merrion
was by jealouse or command of the Gov' De Nonville shot to death because he was a Frenchman
Borne altho' now subject of His Maj'^ of England & had a passe to trade at the Ottowawa with

the rest of the Troop :

Nanning Hahmentse
Frederick Harments
sworne before me Derick van dek IIeyden

JNiCHOLAS Bayard Mayor

A true copy examined by John Knight De Sec>

Governor Do?i</(m'''S- Projxisitions to the Five JS'ations.

[Board of Trade Tapera, New-York, HI.]

Propositions to the Five Nations westward viz' to the Cheife Sachems and
Captaines of the Sinnekes, Cajouges, Onondages, Onneydes and Maquasse
by the Gov' in the Citty hall of Albany the fifth day of august 1(JS7. in the
third year of His Maj''" Reigne.

Brethren.

I am verry gladd to see you all here in this house, and am heartely gladd also that you have
sustained no greater losse by the French, tho' I believe there intention was to destroy you all,
if they could have surprised you in your Castles, and as soon as I heard of there designe to
warr with you, I gave you notice of itt, and came up here my Selfe that I might bee ready to
give you all the assistance and good advice, that soe short a time would allow me.

I am now about sending a Gentleman to England to the King my Master, to lett him know,
that the French have invaded his territories here on this side of the greate Lake, & warred
upon the Brethren his subjects, and therefore I would willingly know, whether the Brethren
have given the Gov' of Canada any provocation or not, and if they have, how & in what
manner? because T am obliged to give a true account of tliis matter; This bussinesse may
cause a warr between the King of England, and the French King, both in Europe & here, and
therefore I nnist know the truth. I know the Gov' of Canada dare not enter into the greate
King of England's Territoryes iu a hostile manner without provocation, if he thought the
Brethren were tlu; King of iMigland's subjects, butt you having two or three years agoe, made
a Covenant chaine with the French contrarie to my connnands, (which I knew, could not hold
long) it being void in ittselfe amongst the Christians, forasmuch as subjects (as you are) ought
not to treat with any forraigne Nation, it not lying in your power, have your selfs brought this
trouble upon you, and as I believe is the only reason of there falling upon you this time.

LONDON DOCUiMENTS: V. 439

Brethren, I took it verry ill, that after you putt 5'our selfs in the number of the great King
of England's subjects, that you should ever otter to make peace or warr, without my consent;
you know, that we can live without you, but you cannot live without us ; for you never found,
that I told you a lye, and did offer you assistance as you wanted, provided you would be
advised by me for I kuow the French better than any of you doe.

Now, since there is a warr begun upon you by the Gov"' of Canada, I ho|)e without any
provocation by you given, I desyre and conunand }'ou, that you will hearken to noe treaty,
but by my advice, which, if you follow, you shall have the benetitt of the great chaine of
friendshipp that is hitely concluded between the Great King of England and the French King,
which came out of England the other day, which I have sent to ('anida by Anthony Lespinard ;
in the meane time I will give you such advice <is will be for your good and supply you with
such necessarys, as you will have need otf. First, my advice is, that as many prisoners of the
French as you take, that you draw not there blood, butt bring them home and keepe them to
exchange for the people of yours, which they have prisoners already, or may take hereafter.
That if possible you can order it soe, I would have you take one or two of your wisest
Sachems, and one or two Cheife Capf' of each Nation to bee a Councill, to manage all the
affairs of the warr, and they to give orders to the rest of the OfKcers, what they are to doe,
that your designes may bee kept private, for alter it comes amongst soe many people, it is
blazed abroad, and your designe often times frustrated ; and those Cheiffe Men to keep
correspondence with me b}' a Trusty Messenger.

Now, the greate matter in consideration is with the Bri'thren, how to strengthen themselves
and weken your Enemy ; my opinion is, that the Brethren should send Messengers to the
Ottowawas and Tvvichtwichs and the further Indians, and some, of the prisoners of those
Nations (if any you have) left to bury the hatchetts and to make a Covenant Chaine, and that
they may putt away all the P'rench, that are amongst them, and that you will open a path for
them this way, they being the King of England's subjects likewise only the French have been
admitted to Trade with them (for all that the French have in Canida they had it of the great King
of England) that by that meanes, they may come here freely, where they may have every thing
cheaper then among the French, they paying you an acknowledgement yearly for the Path, and
that you & they joyne together Jig" the French and make so firme a League, that whoever is
Enemy, to one, must bee soe to both.

Another thing of concerne is, that you ought to doe what you can, to open a path for all the
North Indians and Mahckanders that are att Ottowawa aud further Nations, and I will endeavour
to doe the same to bring them home, for they not daring to come home your way, and the
French on the other hand striveing to keep them there on purpose to joyne with these further
Nations against you for your distruction, and you know, that one of them is worse then si.\ of
the other, therefore, all means must bee used to bring them home, and use them kindly, as they .
passe throw your Country.

My advise is further to you, that Messengers goe in the behalfe of all the Five Nations to the
Christian Ind"' att Cannada to persuade them to come home to their native Country, and to
promisse them all protection, which will be another great means to weaken your Enemys, and if
they will not bee advised, then you know what to doe with them. I think it verry necessary for
the Brethren's security and assistance, and to the endamageing the French, to build a Fort upon
the Lake, where I may keepe stores and provisions in case of necessity, and therefore I would
have the Brethren let me know, what place will be most convenient for itt. I would not have

440 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the Brethren to keepe their Corn in their Cnstles as I heare the Onondages doe, butt bury itt a
greate way into the woods, whereof a few people may know where it is, for feare of such an
iiccident as hath liappened the 6innakes.

I have given my advice in your Generall Assembly by M' Dirick Wessells and Akus the
Interpreter, liow you are to manage your parties and liow necessary it is to gett prisoners to
change for your owne Menu, that are prisoners with tiie French.

I am g\i\d to hear the Bretheren are so united, as M'' Dirick Wessells tells me they are, and
that there are no rotten INIembers nor French spyes amongst them.

The Brethren may remember my advice I sent you this Spring not to go to Cadarachqui ; if
you had, they would have served you as they did your people that came from hunting, for I
tould you then that I knew the French better then you.

There is no advice or proposition that I made to the Brethren, all the while that the Priest
lived att Onondaga, butt hee wrilt it to Cannada, as I have found by one of his letters, that bee
had given to an Indyan to carry to Canada, and was brought here ; therefore I desire the
Brethren, not to receive him or any French Priests, any more, haveing sent for English Priests
whom you can be supplyed with, all to content ;

I would have the Bretiiren looke out sharpe for feare of being surprized ; I believe all the
strength of the French will he at Cadaraciiqui cS: ( )n_\-a,car(), wiiere they build a Fort now, and
att Troy Kiviere, Mont IJoyall and C'liambly, they being frontier places.

Lett me putt you in mind agaiue, not to make any Treatiers without my means, which will
be more advantageous for you, then if you had done itt yourselfs, for tiieii, you will bee lookeil
upon as tiie King of Fnglands Subjects, and iett me know from time to time, whatsoever thing
is done.

Thus farr I have spoken to you relating to the warr.

Now I nuist chide you, and to tell you (if it be true what I he.are) you are not people of your
words, for I remember three years agoe, the Greate Gov'' of Virginia was here, and he by my means,
forgave the brethren whatevill they had done in Virginia and Maryland before, & accordingly both,
their hatchetts and your hatchetts were hurried without in my presence, notwithstanding since,
I heare the Brethren have been there this last spring and have killed a fine Gentleman with
some others, and as I heare, a party of Oneydes is now there att the head of James' Piver
with an intention to ruine all the Indyans there abouts, and have taken Six of these Indyans
prisoners and were desygned to fall upon the English that live in the Out Plantations, to
facilitate their designe, all which is discovered by a Virginia Indian, that was with them three
years a prisoner, & now runn away and gives the English this Intelligence, which has
occassioned the Country thereabouts to bee in allarm, and the Gov'' of Virginia is come to New
Yorke with an Intention to have Sattisfaction of the Brethren for what they have done ; Doe
the Brethren think they can Warr with all the Christians in America, who are a thousand
against one of you, it seems you make no difference between your Friends and your Foes,
what would you bee att ; The Christians will not endure it from one another, nuich lesse from
you that are Indyans ; if it was not for mee who have protected you these fouer yeares past,
for all the King of England's subjects are bound to joyne with one another against any Enemy
that will fall upon them; therefore, I charge and Command you forthwith as soon as you are
gott home, to send me those prisoners, as soone as they are come to your Castles, and I must
tell you plainly, that if you will not forbear docing of Mischeife there liereafter, I will dig upp
the Axes agaiue, and give them in the hands of My Lord Howard, and I myselfe will joyne

LONDON DOCUiMENTS: V. 441

with him & warr upon j'ou, and tiiun you will he totall}' ruined ; for tlie Governor of Cannada
himselfe makes his complaint of me to the King att home, that I protect people, that murders
the King of England's suhjects in Virginia and Maryland and breaks all the Covenant Chaines
they make ; therefore, doe this noe more, nor goe neere Virginia, for if you doe, itt will bee
impossible for niee to protect you any longer, butt bee looked upon as badd as your selfs ; if
you have any partys out that way, send for them forthwnth, and suffer none of your people to
goe that way any more. I will strive to stopp My Lord Effingham's mouth, that he makes noe
complaint of you to the King, by promising him that you will make him satisfaction, ass soon,
as the warr with the French is over, and I doe not doubt, butt you will make good whatsoever
I promise, that I may not be found a Liar.

I have said this of you all in Generall, yett, I must exclude my Brethren the Sinakers, who
I find, are brave Men and honnest Meun, having never heard, they ever had a hand in doeing
any ill thing nor contrary to my Orders, since I came to the Govern' (except the makeing of
that unlucky Peace with the French three yeares agoe, which has been the cause of all these
troubles) which makes me soe eager for their welfare and could wish w'ith all my heart, that I
could say the same of all the rest of the Brethren, butt I hope the shame of doing ill things,
will bring them to doe nothing, but what honnest Men ought to doe which is, to keepe their
words with every Body, and obey my commands, which is the only meanes to eat well and
sleep well without feare or disturbance.

And lastly, I must recommend one thing to the Officers and Captaines, not to suffer your
people to bee drunk dureing the warr, it will loose the reputation of a Souldier to bee druuk
in time of warr, for feare of advantages that the Enemy may take of them,
a True copy examined

p' Rob' Livingston CI.

Ati'Swer of the Five JVcition-s to Governor Dongan,

[Board of Trade; New- York Papers, III.]

Answer of the Maquase, Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges and Sinneckes to the
Govemour att the Towne House of Albany the sixth day of August 16S7.

First, the Speaker being a Maquase Sachim, called Sindacksegie made a speech to the
Saichims of all the Nations, and put them in minde of what was proposed to them yesterday
by His Excellency concerning the meanes proscribed for the strengthening of them and
weakening of their Enemies, and how convenient it would be for them not to make any peace
without His Excell'''' and what badd success, that unlucky peace had, that they made three
yeares agoe with the French neere to Onnondage upon their own heads, notwithstanding they
being charged to the contrary by his Excell'" and how they now feel the smart of it and alsoe
repeated the great reason His Excell'''' had to chide them for the mischief done ui Mrginia, for
now they are very sensible, that promising will not doe without a performance, and that they
all know, that wee have unanimously concluded, that no parties whatsoever goe out that way
Vol. m. 66

442 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

for the future, if tliey doe & any mischeifte happens to any of the King's subjects, every body
in particular that has a hand in it, sliall answer for it, Wee Sachims will not conccrne our
selves any more to speake in tiieir behalfes ;

The said Maquase Sachim called Sindachsegie, made a speech to His Excel!'''' the Gov' in the
heiialfe of all the Five Nations and answered the propositions thus :

Wee have understood your Excel^^' propositions yesterday, and amongst other things we
finde, that your Ecell'^'' is very desirious to know what provocation we have given to the French
to cause them to warr upon us ; wee have bin consulting one another from break a day and
made as much inquiry as wee could, of what evill has been done in General and what in
particular. Wee are resolved to speake the truth, and all the evill we have done them is, that
about six yeares agoe some of the l^innekes and some of the Onnondages went aboard of a
French Barke att Onnyagaro, that was come to trade there aiid took out of the said Barke a
Caske of Brandy and cutt the Cable. This was done in the Govern' of Sir Edmund Andrews,
three yeares before the peace was made with the French, who gave orders not to suffer any
Frencli to Trade there ; since which peace, [made] as aforesaid, wee have given the French no
provocation, only wee doe acknowledge about a yeare agoe, tliere was a Frenchman called,
Grandniason, with his partner came to a place called Aquarage neer to Onnyagaro, where some
of the Sinnekes and of the Onnondages, took a hundred Bevers from him, bee having noe
passe neither from His Excel^y the Gov"' nor the GoV of Canada, in doing of which, wee have
only obeyed his Excel!'''' orders, who told us to lay hands upon all people that came in any part
of tlie King of England's territories without such passe, and the Gov"" of Cannada hath often
told us, tliat if any of his people came here towards Alban}- to trade, that wee should plunder
tliem ; but this cannot bee the quarrell, since wee gave the said hundred bevers back againe ;
the only reason as wee imagine makes the French quarrell with us is, that wee have given our
Land, and submitted our selfs to the King of England, which wee confirmed soUemnly, when
the Gov'' of Virginia was with you heere. It is true, wee warr with the Farr Nations of
Indians, because they kill our people, & take them prisoners when wee goe a Bever hunting
and it is our Custome amongst Indians, to warr with one another ; but what hath the Christians
to doe with that to joine with either one side or other'/ O Brethren, you tell us, tlie King of
England is a very great King, and why should you not joyne with us in a just cause, when tlie
French joynes with our Enemies in an unjust cause ; O Brethren, wee see the reason of tliis,
for the French would faiue kill us all and when that is done, they would carry all tlie Bever
trade to Canida, and the great King of England would loose the land likewise, and therefore,
o Great Sacliini beyond the Great Lalie, awake and suffer not those poor Indians that have
given theniselfs and tiieir Lands under your protection to bee destroyed by the French without
cause ; they are angry also that liis ExcelK'' gives passes to tlie Christians, here to goe to the
further Nations of Indians to Trade, and because we goe to shew them the way whereby the
French tliinkes, they will loose their Trade, and that there will be a path open for those Farr
Nations to come here to Albany and Trade, which exasperates tiie French, and makes them fall
upon us. Wee must acknowledge, that a party of Sinnekes and Onnondages have plundered
some French, that they found in their Enemies Country, sup[)lying them with Ammunition,
which they thought was very unreasonable, and have also taken some Ottawa Indians ])risoners,
who are our Enemies, but upon His Excel!'"'' the Gov""' command, wee have sent them home
againe by Cap'" Roseboum last fall, and by Major Macgregory this spring, notwithstanding they

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 443

had killed several of our Indians out a Bever hunting and of" our women in there planting of
Come. As for what His Excell: proposed yesterday, consisting in several articles, wee shall
not answer to every particular, ouly to the principal heads, in which Ilis Excell'''' may rest
satisfyed wee approve of very well and shall perfornie.

As for the making of a peace with the Farr Nations, wee doe take that to hee very good
Council, and will imdouhtedly contribute much to the strengthening of us and wakening of our
Enemies, the French, and therefore are willing to accept of your Council to make a peace with
the Ottawawaas, and to that end we will send such of their people as have bin some yeares
agoe prisoners among us to them to endeavour to effect it, and are satisfyed, his Excell : advice
is farr above what wee could ever have thought of and do render nuich thankes to His Excell''''
for it and present His Excell'^" with three Belts of wampum; wee give his Excell'' many thanks
lor your good advice concerning the changeing of what French Prisoners wee gott for our peoi)le,
wee will follow it and doe no harm to any French wee gott, but strive to gett our people
exchanged for them which will strengthen us, and desire as soon as wee gett any, that His
Excell'^'' would write to the GoV of Canada to make an exchange. As for the Twichtwicks
Indians, who are our mortal Enemies and have killed a great many of our people a Bever
hunting, wee know not whither wee can etitjct a peace with them ; nevertheless upon your
Excellency's desire wee will try and doe our endeavour — doe give three Belts of Wampum.

Wee doe acknowledge that your Excell'"^' advice to us is ver}^ good in every thing, and
particularly concerning the French Jesuite whom wee are resolved not to receive any more, nor
none from the French ; and if any of the Five Nations are inclined for English Jesuits, they
will come to acquaint your Excell'^'' with it. doe give three Belts of Wampum.

Desire againe to be excused if they answer not to every article of the proposition made
yesterday, and will strive to answer to principal points ; his Excell"'' desired our advice, where
it will be most convenient for him to make a Fort, and though there are diverse places, where
there is good store of Salmond neer at hand, yett the best place (all things considered) in our
opinions will be at a place called Cajonhago' where there is a River, that goes to the Lake of
Cadarachque. doe give three Belts of Wampum.

Wee must acknowledge that our young Men are very mischeivous and unruly, and that His
Excell : has done much for us in the business of Virginia with my Lord EtKngham, by causeing
the axes to burryed, butt before wee could gett home from makeing of the peace, a party was
gone that way, and so yearely since that time contrary to our knowledge, have continued so
to doe, soe that wee have now unanimously concluded once more to warn them, aud if they
still proceede to goe that way to the Southward towards the English plantations, they must
answer for itt particularly ; whosoever does tlie mischiefs, wee will not take their part any more,
doe give lour peeces of Bevers.

You acquainted us yesterday, and often times before, that you knew the French better than
wee. Wee believe you did, and wee have reason to know tliem now alsoe ; as for your
desireing of an open path for tlie Ottoawa, Tionondade- Kichtago Twichtwichs and other
further Nations of Indians to come here, wee will open a path that they may come freely, and
as soon as wee come home, shall consult who ought to goe to them to acquaint them herewith,

' See note, ante p. 431. — Ed.

" The TionunJaJes or Diononil.ides were n tribe of the 'Wyantlot, or Iluroii Nation, ami oceupie.l, ori^iiiallv, flie soulli-
weetern part of Upper Canada. Gallulln's tfynopsh, TO. — En.

444 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and send down a Messenger to give notice to j'our Excell'^y, who' are pitched upon to perform
the journey as agents for us ; doe give four peeces of Bever.

Wee doe acquaint you that wee are intended to wadge warr witii tlie Frcncli as long as wee
have a man left since they soe unjustly have begun the warr ; but if the French should chance
to propose any articles of peace to us, wee shall send a Messenger to your Excell : to acquaint
you, soe that your Excell : may be assured that wee never will make a peace^ without your
Excell :'s commands. The Mahikanders and other River Indians living here are likewise
subjects of the Great King of England, whom his Excell"'' will be pleased to make use off and
send to the Farr Nations of Indians to help to effect the peace.

Wee are much inclined to get our Christian Indians back again from Canida, but know noe
way to effect it except by takeing one or more of their prisoners and send them into the Castle
to tell tiie rest, that they may come freely, and to know why they fight against their Brethren,
doe give a Belt.

Desyre that tlie Gov'" may looke out sharpe towards the River of Canida, and send them
word if any news come that way, and as soon as any news occurs in there parts shall not bee
wanting to give your Excell : a particular account, doe give a Belt of Wampum.

After the proposition was over, they told his Excell : the Gov'' by way of discourse, tliat the
Indians living at the Kill van Coll or tliere abouts, when they were in the Maquase Country
last, acquainted them, that they had a sort of poyson that could kill their Enemyes without
fighting, and since these Indians are living under his Excell"^' Govern' desires if it be true his
Excellency would see to gett some^ of them and send it us up that tliey may poyson the Frencli.
a True copy, examined p"" me

Rob' Livingston

Information received from severed Indians.

[Boanl ofTr:i.l.>; N'cw-Tork raptrs. III.]

Information Given by Adondaraheerha, Unedachseno, Awitharoa, Cheife Sachems
of the Siunekes together with another young Indian of 15 yeares that was
in the engagement, to the Gov"" at the Tovvne House of Albany, the sixth''
day of August 1GS7.

Doe say tliat they know not of any cause that ever any of the Nation of tiie Sinnakes did
give to the Frencli in (heir lives to warr ujion them, as they have this summer by a sudden
surpri/e, for, whatever [act] that they have done, which tiiey beleeve the French are angry att,
will represent (o your Excell : Four or Five yeares agoe, wee were desyred by the Gov'' of
Canada to pluiuler such Meu of his as went a Tradeing without his pass, and accordingly wee
reucouiilrt'd wilh some of his peo])l(' and took away what Brandy they had from them, butt
lett them keepe the rest of their goods; and about three yeares agoe neare to a Castle of our

' •■ wlio M.i( nrc" A'-».-l'.,-A- tWo«m/.)/un«s<-r/>(s, XXXV. — Ei). ' " will, ye Frencli." Ibid.

= "o/f'/ of tlieni." Ibid. ' ' SecoiiJ. Ibid

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 445

Enemys called Kiclitages,' wee met witii a company of French agoing to supply them with
powder Lead and Gunns by way of Trade, which tlie Sinnakcs thouglit was ver}' ill done for
them, to strengthen their enemies att that rate ; Wlierenpon, wee took the ammiaiition and
other goods from them, some whereof we carryed away along with us, and the Lead which
was too heavy and could not carr}' wee threw into the water. The French have also an old
grudge of an accident that happened thirty yeares agoe ; the Sinnakes and Onnondages had
besieged a Castle of there Enemyes, in which a French I'reist was, who in takeing the Castle
was killed, which businesse the French always Ripp up.

But all these things were forgott and forgiven and buryed in oblivion by the Gov"" of Canada
called iNIons'' Labarre three yeares agoe, when hee came with an army to Cayhuhage' a dayes
journe)' from Onnondage, when it was concluded, that if the Sinnekes should doe any harm to
the French hereafter, they would make Warr upon them, which the Sinnekes have observed and
kept not doing them any wrong; but the Ottawawa Indians who were included in the late
peace, shortly before, haveing most barbarously murdered a Cheife Sachem of the Sinnekes
called Aanhaax in there Castle, who was gon there to trade tho' the Preist did endeavour to
prevent it, and received a wound in his arm by striveing to save him ; that Act not being quite
forgot by some of the Lew'd young Men after the peace was made, tooke a Capt" of the
Ottawawaes prisoner, who had a little before the peace killed a Sinneke Capt" & was about
bringing him home to give him to that family unto whom the said Captain did belong, butt hee
Runn away, and meets with a Sinneke Indian and his sonne a Bever hunting, who tells him
that hee was Runn away from his owne people, and was intended to goe and live among the
Sinnekes, but this Sinnek, suspecting that hee had some evill designe, and being afFraid hee
would doe him a mischeife by reason of the incoherences of his discourse, kill'd this Ottawawa
Capt" without any orders or privacy of the Sachems or Capt" of the Sinneke Nation, which is
all the evill they have done to the French or the Indians in League with them since the peace,
except that they by Corlaers (that is His Excell''-") orders, who told them that thej' might plunder
such French as came on this side of the Lake without a passe from his Excell'' or from the
Gov' of Canada, plundered two French, one called Grand Mason and his comrade and tooke a
hundred Bevers from them, which were again restored, all which they imagine must bee the
quarrell that the French have with them. The Gov' of Canada last fall, sent word to the
Sachems of all tlie Five Nations to come and speak with him at Chadarachqui this spring, which
wee acquainted His Excellency withall, butt in pursuance to His Excell"^'' commands, wee
being the King of England Subjects, thought ourselfs noways obliged to hearken to him, and
therefore refused to goe, and shortly after wee heard by an Onnondage Indian that had lived
long att Cadarachqui, that the Gov' of Canida had a designe to warr upon us, for hee had seen
a great deal of amunicion, and iron Dublets brought to Cadarachqui, and that a Frenchman att
Cadarachqui told him, that they would warr with all tiie Five Nations. About ten dayes after
wee gott the news, that the Gov' of Canida with his Army was seen encampt att the side of
the Lake with many Canoes about halfe way between Onnondage and Cadarachqui ; upon vvhicii
they sent a hundred Men to the Lake side to spy ; who see a Barke neer Irondoquat the landing
place a lyeing by and not att anker, they sent four Men in a Canoe to haile them, there orders
from the Sachems being expressly not to doe the French any harme, and when they hail'd them,
the French answered in base language, Enustoganhoirw squa which is as much in tlieire language,

' Illinois. Compare Charlevoix, Hist. Nouv. Fr., 4to. I., 486. — Ed.

' Salmon River, Mexico Bay, Oswego county. See note, onte p. 431. — Ed.

44G NEW-YUKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

as the Devil take you, whereupon they paddled for the shore, and told the rest of their companions
what answer they had ; the liundred Men went forthwith to the Castles, and told the Sachems,
what they had seen, wlio forthwitli sent twenty Men to spy what theire designe was, and they
see another Barke come to tl)e fu'st, and while they were there as Scouts spied, a great many of
the Twichtwich Indians come hy land, and had almost environ'd them before they were awarr
o[' them ; the twenty Men seeing this, went up fortiiwitli to tlie Castles and had much adoe to
gett through, and the Sachems having sent out three Spyes, after the twenty, to see wliat tlie
French would have, and before the three were come to the Lake side (it being about twenty
miles from there Castles) tlie French Army out of Barks and Canuoes was landed, they seeing
tiiat, called to them and asked what they were intended to doe, A Maquase answered out of the
Army, You Blocklieads, File tell you what I am come to doe, to warr upon you, and to morrow
I will march up witli my army to your Castles, and as soone as hee had spoke, they fyred upon
the three Ind'" butt tlicy ruun iiome and brought the news to the Sachems about tlie twigiiligiit.
'J'he Sachems upon tliis news concluded to convey tlieir wives and children and old Men away,
and beeing busy thereabouts all next day, most parte retiring to Cajouge, and the rest to a Lake
to the Southward of there Castles, in the nieane time the French were as good as there words,
and marched up halfe way between the landing place and the Castles and there encamped that
night ; As soon as the Women and Children were fled, their fired there owne Castles and all the
Jlen being gon to convey them away except a hundred in a small Fort who had sent out spyes and
received information that the French were upon there march towards them, they sent forthwith
Messengers to them that were conveying the Women and Children and desired the assistance
of as many of their young Men as could conveniently bee spared to turn back and face the French
and give battle ; whereupon 350 turned back and joyned with the hundred, butt being all young
Men, were so eager to fall on, that the Officers could not bring them in a posture to engage, tiu'y
went out about halfe a league from the Castle, on a small hill, and there stayed for the Frencii
army, butt the officers could not jjcrsuade them to be in order there neither, all being so fieiy to
engage, and haveing scoutts out, brought them intelligence, that tliey were approaching and
how they marched, viz' the Right and lett wing being Indians and the Body French, and when
they came in siglit of the Sinnekes, the French not seeing them satt downe to rest themselves
and the Lidians likewise ; the Sinnekes seeing this advance upon the left wing being Indians,
the French seeing them stood to their arms and gave them first voUy, and then the Enemy
Ind"' that were on the left wing ; whereupon the Sinnekes answered them with another, which
occasioned soe much smoak that they could scarce see one another, wherefore they innnediately
rinm in and came to handy blows and putt the left wing to the flight, some went quite away and
some ilcd to the reare of tin; French, and when that wing was broake, they charged and fyred
upon the French and the other Indians. The Frencli ri'tired about J 50 paces and stood still,
tlie Sinnekes continued the light with there Hatchets, butt perceiving at last that the French
were too numerous and would not give ground, some of the Siimekes begun to retreat, whereuiion
the French Indians cryed out the Sinnakers ruun, and the rest heari'ing that followed the first
party that gave way and so gott ott' from [on] an(jther and in there retreat were followed about
half an Englisii mile, and if the Enemy had followed them further, the Sinnakes would have
lost abundance of people, because they carried olf their womided Men, and were resolved to
stick to them, and not leave them.

The young Indian that was in the engagem" relates, that after the engagement was over, when
the Sinnakes were gott upon a Hill, they see a party of Fresh Frencli come up, the French

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 447

called to them and bid them to stand and fight, but the Sinnakes replyed, come out four hundred
to our four hundred, and wee have butt a iumdred Men and three hundred boyes, and wee will
fight you hand to fist. The said Boy being asked whether lie see any of the French with
Gorges about there necks, it was too hott, they were too numerous.

There was amongst the 450 Sinnekes five women, who engaged as well as the Men, and
were resolved not to leave their husbands butt live and dye with them.
A true copy examined p'' me

ROBT. LiUINGSTO.V CI :

Governor iJongaii to Moii-situr de La JJarre.

[Xew-York Papers, B. II. 19.]

I received your other letter and do believe that you have bin misinformed as to the Irequois
they haveing traded with this Government above forty years and nowhere else, uiilesse they
did it by stealth: I am sure they are nearer to this place then yours, and all to the south
and south West of the lake of Canada; Wee have pretences too, and it seemes a cleare
demonstration that those lands belong to the King of England, haveing all his colonies close
upon them, those Indians who have pipes through their noses, would faine come to trade at
Yorke, did not other Indians hinder them, haveing from hence such trade as they want which
is in no other Governm' and that you have none of but what you have from us. As for any
dispute about them I suppose Your people and ours may trade amongst them without any
difierence — I give you thanks for the passes you sent and a.ssure you nobody hath a greater
desire to have a strict union with you and good correspondence then myself who served long
time in France, and was much obliged by the King and Gentry of that Countrey; and I am
sure no man hath a greater respect for them then myself and would never do anything that may
cause a misunderstanding, but I am but a servant in this place and therefore need say no more
but that I am

Your humble servant

[168|.] • (signed). Tho. Dongan

Moihsieur de La Barre to Governor Dongan. .

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New-York Papers, B. II. 20.]

Montreal IS"" June 16S4.
Sir

The unexpected attack which the Iroquois, Senecas and Cayugas have made on a fort whither

I had sent a gentleman of my household to withdraw thence Sieur de la Salle, whom I sent

at their request to France, and the wholesale plunder of seven French Canoes laden with

448 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

merchandize for the Trade, and the detention during ten days of 14 Frenchmen who were
conducting tliem up, and that in a time when I was in a quiet and peaceahle negotiation with
them, ohlige me to attack them as people from whose promisses we liave notiiing to expect but
murder and treason; but I did not wish to do this without advising you of it, and telling you at
the same time, that the Moliawks and Oneidas, neighbours of Albany, having done me no
wrong, I intend to remain at peace witli them and not attack them.

The letters wliich 1 liave reC* from France inform me, as does that which you were pleased
to honour me with, that both two Kings desire that we should live in close Union and Fraternity
together. I shall contribute thereunto with the greatest joy, and with a punctuality with which
you will be satisfied. I think that on the present occasion you can well grant me the request
I make to forbid those at Albany selling any Arms, Powder or Lead to the Iroquois who
attacked us and to the other tribes who may dispose of these articles to them.

This proceeding can .alone intimidate them, and when they see the Christians united on this
subject they will shew them more respect than they have done hitherto.

If you have any cause of complaint against their conduct, }'ou can advance it now, and T shall
consider your interests as those of the King my master. As soon as I shall hear from you I will
answer regarding what j'ou may require from my ministry in a manner entirely satisfactory to
you, esteeming nothing in the world more highly than the opportunity to testify to you how
truly I am

Sir

Your very humble Serv'
(signed) De la Barre.

Governor iJoiKjan to 3I(jn-}>ieur de La Barre.

[New- York Papers, B. II. 24.]

Sir

Yours dated June the IS"" I received the 2-3'' S. V. of this instant and am verry sorry I did not
know sooner of the misunderstanding between j'ou and the Indians that so I might as I really
would, have used all just measures to prevent it.

Those Indyans are under this Government as doth appear by His Royal Highness' pattent
from His Majestie the King of England and their submitting themselves to this Govern' as is
manifest by our Records.

His Royal Highness' territorys reaches as far as the River of Canada, and yet notwithstanding
the people of your Govenim' come upon the great lake, as also on this side of both lakes, a
thing which will scarcely be believed in England, I desire you to hinder them from so doing
and will stricktly forbid the people of this province to go on the other side of the lake. This
I have hinted that there may be no occasion on 3-our parte as there shall not undoubtedly be
on mine to break that desirable and fair correspondence between the two Kings our Masters.

I am so heartily bent to promote the quiet and tranquility of this country and yours, that I
intend fortliwith to go mysclfe to Albany on purpose, and there send for the Indyans and require
of them to do what is just in order to a satisfaction to your pretences, if they will not, I shall

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 449

not unjustly protect them, but do for your Governm' all that can be reasonably expected from
me and in the mean time for to preserve and continue a good amity between us I think it
convenient, and desire of you that no act of hostility be conmiitted ; such differences are of so
weighty a concerne that they are most proper to be decided at home and not by us.'

&c.
[June 24th, 16S4.] Tho : Dongan.

Governor Dongan to Monsieur de La Barre.

i New-York Papers, B. II. 25. ]

Fort Albany, July S"" 1684.
Sir.

I came to this town with an intention to sent for the Senequaes but was prevented by some
of their Sachims being come hither expressly to meet me.

They tell me that your Intentions are to make warr against them, and they believe that you
have already entered their couutrey which repport I can scarcely give creditt to, after my last
letter written to you.

You can not be ignorant that those Indians are under this Goverm' and I do assure you they
have againe voluntarily given up both, themselves and their lands to it, and in their application
Avhich they make to me, do offer, that if they have done anything amisse they will readily give
all reasonable satisfation.

S". I should be very sorry to hear that you invade the Dukes Territories, after so just and
honest an offer, and my promisse, that the Indians shall punctually perform whatever can be in
justice required for all these injuries which you complaine they have committed.

I do not doubt but that if you please, this affair may be quietly reconciled between you and
the Indians, if not, as I wrote in my former, wee have masters in Europe to whom wee should
properly referr.

To prevent as much as I can all the inconveniencyes that may happen, I have sent the
bearer with this letter and have ordered the coates of armes of His Royal Highnesse the Duke
of York to be put up in the Indyan Castles which may diswade you from acting anything that
may create a misunderstanding between us —

Sir
. , < I am with all respect

Most humble and affectionate
Servant,
(signed) Tno. Dongan

' The copy of the above despatch in Knii-York Cmncil Minuten, V. 89, ami the translation in Parh Documents, II., conclude
with the following additional paragraph ;

"I do assure you Sr that no body liveing hath a greater desire that there should be a strict friendshipp betwixt the subjects
of this Govermt & yours then I hare <fe no body more willing upon Occasions justly to approve my selfc .Sr

"Yr humble Scrvt

"Tno Dong.in" — Ed.

Vol. III. 67

450 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Monsieur de La Barre to Governor Dongan.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[ New- York Papers, B. 11. 22. ]

Camp at Lachine, 25"' July, 1684.
>!ir.

I was much astonished by the receipt of your two letters of the fifth of July, New Stile, seeing
one in French written by you, which I knew came from you as friend to friend, and that Avritten
in English which I knew came from your Council, and not from people disposed to maintain the
union of our two kings.

I sent Bourbon to you to advise you of the vengeance which I was about to wreak for the
insult inflicted on the Christian name by the Senecas and Cayugas, and you answer me about
pretensions to the possession of lands of which neither you nor I are judges, but our two kings
who have sent us, and of which there is no question at present, having no thought of conquering
countries but of making the Christian name and the French people to be respected, in which I
will shed the last drop of my blood.

I have great esteem for your person, and considerable desire to preserve the honour of his
Britannic Majesty's good graces as well as those of My Lord the Duke of York, and I even
believe that they will greatly appreciate my chastisement of tliose who insult you and take
prisoners from 3'ou every day, as they have done this winter in Merilande. But if I was so
unfortunate as that you desired to protect robbers, assassins and traitors, I could not distinguish
their protector from themselves. I pray you, then, to attach faith to the credit which I give
Mr. de Salvaye to explain every thing to you ; and, if the Senecas and Cayugas wish your
services as their intercessor, to take security from them, not in the Indian but in the European
fashion, without which, and the honor of hearing from you, I shall attack them towards the
SO"" of August, New Stile. I have seen a letter which you wrote on the S"* of August of last
year to M'' de Saint Castine, who commands for the King my Master at Pentagouet. The Treaty
of Breda so clearly settles this affair, that I beg of you to take care before hand not to undertake
anything against its tenor. Tiiese are the matters which I have to represent to you and that
you believe me with much regard, Your very humble servant,

De la Barre.

Inst met ioit.s from Monsieur de Lei Barre to Monsieur de Scdvaye.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New-York Papers, B. U. 13.]

Instructions which Sieur de la Barre (Member of the King's Council, Covernor
& Lieutenant fieneral of all the countries of New France and Acadie) gives
to Sieur de Salvaye his Ambassador to Colonel Dongan, Governor of New
York, to explain to him the unfaitiifulness and violences committed by the
Senecas and Cayugas against the French.

He is, in the first place, to make known to him the quarter where the pillage of the seven
Canoes was perpetrated, as well as the attack on Fort St Louis and that it is more than 400

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 451

leagues distant from liere and an equal distance at least, southwest from Alban}', between tlie
39"" and 40"'> degrees.

Tiiat that place has been occupied over 2-5 years by the French who there established
Catholic Missions of the Jesuit Fathers, and traded there (ont fail la tniiltc) since that time,
without the English having ever known, or spoken of, that country.

That the question is not about the country of the Iroquois, nor of the Eastern shores of Lake
Erie.

That the Iroquois having lived, previous to the arrival of M. de la Barre, in this Government
with little consideration for the French, he was desirous to speak with them, to see if they were
friends or foes, and for that purpose they were all assembled at Montreal last August where
every thing was arranged on a friendly basis; even the Senecas and Cayugas had demanded
Sieur de la Barre to withdraw Sieur de la Salle from the government of Fort S' Louis, in
Illinois; which he had done and caused the said Sieur de la Salle to be sent to France in the
month of last November.

That notwithstanding this, and all the protestations of friendship they had made, a band of
200 warriors, Senecas and Cayugas, having met in the month of March of this year, seven
canoes manned by 14 Frenchmen, with fifteen or sixteen thousand pounds worth of Merchandize,
who were going to trade with the Scious, towards the southwest, robbed, pillaged and took them
prisoners, without any resistance from the French, who considered them friends, and after
having detained them nine days naked, released them with thousands of taunts and insults,
without having given them either arms or canoes for provisions, and to enable them to cross the
rivers. After which the said Iroquois went and attacked Fort S' Louis, where Sieur Chevalier
de Baugy was in the place of said Sieur de la Salle, who had been withdrawn at their request.
Having made three assaults and been vigorously repulsed, they withdrew from before the said
Fort the 29'" of March.

That Sieur de la Barre having seen these acts of hostility committed in time of established
peace and which Tegaucout their Ambassador was coming to him to confirm, he had adopted
two courses, one to detain the said Ambassador, and the other to wage war against them, not
being able to endure a treachery of that description against the Christian name and French
Nation.

That, things being in this condition, he could not believe that Colonel Dongan would interfere
therein in any way, if it were not to unite with him in destroying these traitors and infidels.

That the INIohawks and Oneidas, neighbours of Albany, took uo part in all this war, and that
he has envoys at Onontague to see if they will take a part.

That his troops being assembled and on the march, he cannot postpone attacking the Senecas
unless by losing the campaign.

That in his despatches dated the 5"" of August last, the King his master was pleased to
communicate to him the information which he had received from the King of England, of the
appointment of Colonel Dongan as Governor of New- York, with express orders to maintain
good understanding and correspondence with Sieur de la Barre, who, on that account, could
have no idea that he had any intention to protect a treachery and injustice such as has been
committed by villains on Frenchmen.

That as regards the affliir of Pentagouet, Sieur de la Barre refers to the treaty of Breda,
which he considers the rule to which the one and the other ought to conform themselves.

Done at the Camp of Lachine, [July 25, 16S4].

452 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Governor Dongan to Monsieur de La Barre.

[New-Tork Papers, B. II. ir).]

1. It is not intended that I will justify the wrong the Indians have done to the French so
farr to the south-west as 400 Leagues from Mont Ro3'all or in any other place whatsoever, though
in all probability if we were to dispute these countreys so farr to the south-west are more likely
to he ours then the french haveing English colonies much nearer to them.

2. The pretences you make to that countrey by your 25 years possesion and sending Jesuits
amongst them are very slender, and it may bee, you may have the same to other countries as for
Jesuites liveiug amongst them, how charritable soever it may bee it gives no right or title and
it is a great wonder that the English who so well know America should neither hear nor see in
a long time the treaty you speake of.

3. But if the matter in debate bee not concerning the land on the side of the lake of Canida,
it is desired to know what it is concerning since the Indians offer to give satisfaction for what
injuries can bee prooved to bee comitted by them as they say they have formerly done in such
cases and if they do not I never promised them any countenance from this Covernment. I
wonder that Mon"' La Barr should send for any Indians who owned themselves under this
Government to know whether they were friends or ennemies, since this Government at that
time and at this present hath enjoyed for aught I know a full and perfect peace with the
Government of Canida ; as for the case of La Salle I am not concerned in it but wonder you
should send him to france upon the bare complaint of the Indians ; As for the injuries, affronts,
insolencyes and robberyes comitted by the Indians upon the French I have earnestly pressed
them to make a submission and satisfaction, and that out of a true consideration of the misseryes
that may happen by having a warr with such savages, I could heartily wish that the Sieur de
la Barre had sooner given me notice of the act of hostility before he had detained Tagancout
thei'e Ambassadour, or made warr against them, that I might have used all just methods to
prevent a warr that may be destructive to either party — That the Governour of Canida does
very well in believing what truly he ought, that I will not interest myselfe in any manner to
countenance such villanyes and if I did not think there was a middle way to compose that
difference myselfe, I would be willing to joyne against them — I am glad you assured me that
the neighbourghing Indians to Albany have no share in that warr, but I am sorry the troops
are in soe great forwardness, that ifniy fbrnier advice had bin taken, there had been no absolute
necessity to attaque the Indians or loose the campaigne —

That it is very true I ought to have good correspondence with the Sieur de la Barr, and it is
not, nor ever shall bee my ftmlt if I have not, and I againe nmst tell you tliat I have no thought
or Inclination to protect any villany whatsoever for the affair of Penniquid, I will say little to
itt b(!cause I have referred that as I intend and aught to do all these with an entire submission
unto England.

[1GS4.]

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 453

Meverend Jean de Lairtberville to Governor Dongan.

[TRANSLATED FEOM THE FRENCH.] •

[ Xew- York Papers, B. ir. 27.]

Oiiontague, 10"> Sept. 1C8-5.
IMy Lord

I liad the honour not long since to write to you ; it was last month ; Since the despatch of
my last letter, the Senecas who were desirous to make trouble and to persuade tlie Mohawks
and other villages to unite with them against Mon* de la Barre, have changed their minds ;
since they were assured that the peace concluded last year, as you desired, would not he
broken by M. De la Barre, as they w^ere maliciously told, and as a hundred false reports which
are never ceassd being related would persuade them. To complete successfully what you have
so vrell begun, it only remains to e.xhort tiie Senecas to add a few more peltries to the ten
beavers and thirty otters which they left in deposit with the Onnontagues to satisfy ISI'' de la
Barre, as you last year recommended them to do. Let your zeal for the publick peace, and
especially for the Christians of this America induce you, if you please, to put the finishing stroke
to this good work and to recommend the Senecas and other ^'illages not to attach credit to the
recent floating rumors, since it is true that the Gov"' of Canada desires with all his heart that all
things should be quiet, and to second your just intentions. The Onnontagues and those who
are of their opinions, have operated powerfully on the minds of the said Senecas to induce
them to resume thoughts of peace, as ^V Arnout, bearer of this letter, who was present at what
was done and said, can inform you, and from whom you will be glad to receive the news.

Since peace, through your care, w-ill aparently last, we shall continue to carry the Christian
faith through this country, and to solicit the Indians, whom you honor with your friendship, to
embrace it as you yourself embrace it, for this is the sole object that has caused us to come
here, that the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for all men, may be usefid to them, and that His
glory may be great throughout the earth.

If you will please to honour me with a line from your hand you can have your letter given
to one named Garakontie who is deputed from the Onnontagues to repair to the Diet which you
have convoked at Albany. Do him the charity to exliort him to be a good Christian, as he
was whose name he bears, and who was his brother. Recommend him I beseech you not to
get drunk any more, as he promised when he was baptized, and to perform the duties of a
Christian. One word from you will have a wonderful effect on his mind, and he will publish
throughout that it is not true that the English forbid them to be Christians since you who
command them will have exhorted him to persevere therein.

I pray God who has given us the grace to be united in the same Catholic faith, to unite us
also in Heaven ; and that he may heap his favors on you here on earth, is the wish of him who
is perfectly, and with all manner of respect. My Lord, Your very humble and

very obedient Servant

Jea.v de La.mberville,
of the order of Jesuits, (called in In?lian, Tc'iorhi'iisert^ )

' Signifying, "The Dawning of the Day." Colden'a Five Nations, 107. It is derived from the Onondaga word, iarhenka —
the morning. — "Ed.

454 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Oblige me, I request you, to have the enclosed sent to its address.

Please, My Lord, pardon me the liberty which I take to present my humble respects to the
Governor of Virginia, wlio is called among the Indians, Big Sword or Cutlass,' who I learn is
with you at Albany to whom, some time ago, I caused to be restored an Englishman nam6d
Robelman, whom these Indians here had plundered and captured, and whom I took into my
hut to save him from the fury of some refractory people and from those who would make him
their slave. It is the least service I would desire to render him.

Reoerend FatJiei- J>al>Jon in Governor Dongmi.

[TRANSLATED Fl;oM THE FliENCU.]
- - [New-York Papers, B. II. 'J'J.] . . .

Sir.

The peace of our Lord.

I have learned by the letters of the two Fathers de Lamberviile, who are with the Iroquois
of Onnontag^, the kindness you have for them and the protection you afford them in their
difficult position where zeal for God's glory and for the salvation of souls alone occupies them.

As God hath willed that they should be under my guidance, it has been their duty to inform
me to what extent you carried the affection of which you afford them such sensible proofs, and
what you have been so good as to do to extricate the younger from the danger to which he
was exposed during his elder brother's absence.

I am already aware that your protection extends even to the trouble of saving them from
a thousand sorts of insults to which they are exposed especially during the drunken debauches
which coustitute one of their severest martyrdoms. In a word, they have informed me that
you spare no pains to procure for them the repose necessary for the exercise of their functions,
furnishing them also the means to send many souls to Paradise.

Here is, Sir, sufficient cause to oblige me to express to you by this letter, which I have the
honor to write you, how sensible I am of so many kindnesses, the continuance of which I
make bold to ask of you through the adorable blood of Jesus Christ whose precious remains
those Fathers are collecting among the Heathen.

I cannot hope to be ever able to acknowledge them as I ought ; but I can assert that God
will be the witness oi' my gratitude, and that I shall often pray Him to be your rich reward
and to heap His holy Blessings on you in time and*€teruity. This is what I ask him with as
much ardour as I am with respect,

Sir,

Your very humble and very obedient
■• Servant

* Claude Dablon

of the Society of Jesus.

' In Iiulicin, Assaritjoa. Coldens Five Nations, 4y. lu tliu Molitiwk vori^ion of the Gospel of St. John, aUributed to the
Chief Norton, the word "Sword," (XVIII. 10,) is rendered by the term Ashareyd-a, whieli signifies?, literally, "Big knife;"
being compounded ( see Oallatin's Vocabulary) of Auschirlee, knife, and goa, big. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 455

Monsieur Bvucy to Major Baxter.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FnEXCH.] ' •

INew-Tork Papers, B. II. 31.]

Montreal IS. Aug" 16S3.

Sir ' ^

Having learned from Sieur Salvaye that you were determined to administer justice to some
French vagabonds, among the rest, to one Villeroy who has at present witlidrawn in your parts,
who carried away from me a pretty considerable sum of money, as you will see by the bill of
merchandize I delivered him, copy of which Monseigneur the General caused to be made in
his presence and was so good as to sign. This induces me to take the liberty to write you,
requesting you to evince your justice in favor of him who will ever be

Sir

your very humble Servant
( signed ) Brucy.

\_MS Note in EvgHsli.'\ — Tliis money was paid by my order.

Governor Dongan to Mons'ieur de Benonville.

[New-York Papers, B. II. 33.]

Albany, 22'' May 1666.
I have sent for the five nations of the Indyans that belongs to this Government to meet me
at this place, to give them in charge, that they should not goe to your side of the great lakes, nor
disturb your Indyans and traders, but since my comeing here I am informed, that our Indyans
are aprehensive of warr, by your putting stores into Cataract and ordering some forces, to meet
there ; I know you are a man of judgement, and, that you will not attack the King of England's
subjects, being informed, that those Indians with whom our Indians are engaged in warr with
are to the west, and southwest of the great lakes, if so, in reason you can have no pretence to
them, it is my intention that our Indians shall not warr, with the forr Indians, whither they do
or not it does not seem reasonable, that you should ingage yourself in the quarel of Indians ;
we pretend, too, against our own Indians, whither those territoryes belong to our or the French
King, is not to be decided here, but, by our masters at home, and your business and mine, is
to take mapps, of the Contry so well as wee can and to send thera home for the limits to be
adjusted there. I am likewise informed, that you are intended to build a fort at a place called
Ohniagero on this side of the lake within my Master's territoryes without question, (I cannot
beleev it) that a person that has your reputation in the world, would follow the steps of Mons''
Labarr, and be ill aduized by some interested persons in your Govern* to make disturbance,
between our Masters subjects in those parts of the world for a little pelttree ; when all those
differences may be ended by an amicable correspondence between us. if there be any thing
amiss, I doe assure you it shall not be my fault, the' we have suffered much, and doe dayly by
your people's tradeing within the King of England's territoryes ; I have had two letters from the
two fathers that lives amongst our Indians, and I find them somewhat disturbed with an

456 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

apprehension of warr, which is groundless, being resolved that it shall not begin here, and I
hope your prudent conduct, will prevent it there, and referr all differences home as I shall doe,
I hear one of the Fathers is gone to you, and th' other that staid, I have sent for him here lest
the Indians should insult over him, tho', it's a thousand pittys that those that have made such
progress in the service of Cod, .should be disturbed, and that by the fault of those that laid the
foundation of Christianity amongst these barbarous people ; setting apart the station I am in, I
■ mi as much INIons'' Des Novilles humble servant as any friend he has, and will ommit no
oportunity of manifesting the same —

Sir

Your humble servant.

This rumour of your comeing to Cataract has prevented my sending a Gentleman to Quebec
to congratulate your arryvall in your Government, so am constrained to make use of the Father
for the safe conveyance of this to your hands.

]^[oii-sieur de IhuonoiUe to Governor JJongaii.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE F E E N C H . ]
[ New-York Papers, B. H. 42. ]

,,. 5 June, 16S6.

feir

1 have rec'' the letter you did me the honor to write me on the 13* Octb'' last.'

The very particular regard I have for your merit causes me to receive with much pleasure all
the kind expressions with which your letter is filled. Be assured, Sir, that I can appreciate all
the obligations I am under to endeavor to deserve your friendship. The union and close alliance
which have existed for so long a time between our masters ; their zeal for the true Religion ;
your individual piety joined to the great esteem you have acquired among our troops, of which
I have personally a very perfect knowledge, being in the King's army when you served ; all
these, Sir, are sufficiently potent reasons to satisfy you that 1 shall be always very glad to
have an intimate union with you. I assure you that, on my part, I will readily contribute
towards it.

I know not what reasons you may have had to be dissatisfied with Mons"' de la Barre ; but J
know very well that I should reproach myself during my whole life if I could fail to render
you all the civilities and kindnesses due to a person of rank and great merit such as you.

In regard to the business wherein Mons"' de la Barre interfered which might have created a
coolness between the two Crowns, as you write me, I presume you refer to his quarrel with the
Senecas. As to that, I shall state, Sir, to you that I believe you understand the character of that
nation sufficiently well to perceive that it is not easy to live in friendship with people who have
neither religion, nor honour, nor subordination. M. de la Barre had many causes of complaint
against their proceedings. Their conduct has not improved, having falsified their pledges
by the violences which, as you are aware, they perfidiously and contrary to all good faith,
committed this winter upon the Outaouax. 1 ask you. Sir, what then can be expected from
that people ? The King, my master, entertains affection and friendship for that country through

' For this letter see post, Pari» Documents, III. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 457

the zeal alone he feels for tlie Establishment of Religion there and the support and protection of
tlie Missionaries whose zeal to preach the gospel leads them to expose themselves to the brutalities
and persecutions of the most ferocious of tribes.

You are better acquainted than 1 am with what they liave suffered, the torments they have
endured and the fatigues they experience every day for Jesus Christ his name. I know your
heart is penetrated with the glory of that name wiiich makes Hell tremble and at the
mention of which all the powers of Heaven fall prostrate, t^iiall we, vSir, be so unfortunate as
to refuse tliem our Masters' protection to sustain them and to contribute a little on our part to
win poor souls to Jesus Christ, by aiding them to overcome tlie enemy of God who rules them.
No, Sir, it is impossible for you but to groan wiien you perceive tiiat so far from assisting those
Apostles of the Gospel, we wage war against them if we allow their enemies to obstruct their
converting these poor people to the Faitli.

Hitherto the avarice of our Traders warred against the Gospel by supplying these people with
arms to wage war against us, and with the liquor that makes them mad. You are a man of rank
and abounding in merit ; you love the religion — Well, Sir, are there no means by whicli we can
come to an understanding, 3'ou and I, to maintain our missionaries by keeping those ferocious
tribes in respect & fear — the only mode of inculcating the Gospel among them. And besides,
must the avarice of our mercliants furnish arms for tlie destruction of tlieir brethren and their
own country "/ What have not the Iroquois done to the poor people of ftlerilande and
\'irginia? Truly, I do not understand how the heart of a Christian can be hardened to such a
degree as to behold witli a dry eye that it is they themselves who destroy their bretlireu and
compatriots.

The confidence I repose in your piety, which has been a lung time known to me, has caused
me to inadvertently open to you my heart with unrestrained ireedom. 1 have done so with so
nmch the more joy as you afford me room to liope tliat you would be willing tiiat we should
imitate our masters in the close alliance of friendship and union existing between them, for tlie
re-establishment of Royal Authority in England and the restoration of the Gospel there in
its ancient lustre. If my reflections move you somewhat, have the goodness to communicate
your thoughts to the Rev. Father de Lamberville who is at Onnontague, who will advise me
of what you wisli me to know. May God grant that the frankness with which I take the
liberty to write you be agreeable to you and eventually useful in aiding you to bring all our
Savages into the bosom of the church. I know that the King my Master has nothing more at
heart than this great work ; and I tell you in truth that on taking leave of the King before
embarking to come hither, his Majesty recommended to me only this matter which alone
makes him love this savage land.

I could not sufficiently thank you, Sir, for the news you sent me of the just chastisement
which the Duke of Monmouth received for his treasons. Who would have ever thought that
this poor unfortunate prince could ever have been capable of such unfortunate conduct after so
great a kindness as the late King his father, of glorious memory, exhibited towards him at the
siege of Maestricht ? I could never have believed that he would ever have had so disloyal a
heart as he had. I assure you, Sir, of my wishes for the success of the King, your blaster's
arms. There is not a Frenchman but must love and honour him. He has gained the hearts
and veneration, especially of those who have had the honour to see him in the army. No one
of his subjects is more penetrated with respect, affection and zeal for his service than I, in
wishing him a happy success in all his enterprizes.
Vol. III. 58

458 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANL'SORIPTS.

I linve been informed thnt sevoral vngn,l)onds, rogues & worthless rascals have tlirongh a
spirit of avarice gone from tiiis colony, and in order to draw some peltries from the savages, tell
them lies and falsehoods to conciliate them and insinuate themselves into their confidence. I
remark that they are alarmed and uneasy without any reason. I thought, sir, I ought to
advise you of it, and that several of those worthless characters have repaired to you of whom
you ought to have as much distrust as I, as tliey are capable only of bad acts which sooner or
later they will connnit among you. I should like much that you would consent to act in concert
to expel those vagabonds, assuring you that I will, on my part employ myself faithfully in
having sought for and arrested all those who will be found coming into this colony amongst us
without your permission.

One of your officers, the clergyman of Kannestaly (Schenectady), demands of me two negro
slaves who have deserted and whom he believes have come hither. 1 had them looked for
every where. I assure you that they are not here and, should they turn up in the colony, that
I mil in good fliith have them bound and manacled to be sent to you, hoping that you will do
likewise.

I know that some of our soldiers who deserted are with you ; if you would have the good-
ness to restore them to me and we could come to an understanding for nuitual rendition, I am
persuaded that our masters would be very well satisfied.

I should have greatly desired to be conversant with Englisli to be able to write you in your
tongue, and thus prove to you the consideration I entertain for you. But as ] know that you
are accpiainted with French. 1 have presumed you would consent that I should not borrow
another language, in order to avoid the risk of writing you in villainous latin

I am Sir

Your most humble & most obedient servant
( signed ) The M. de Dexonville.

Monsieur de De)ionvtUe to Governor Domjan.

[TEANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New-York Papers, B. \\. 34.]

June 20. 1 fiSG.
Sir,

I received, the letter which you did me the honour to write me on the 22"* May last.
\ou will sufficiently learn, in the end, bow devoid of all foundation are the advices which you
have had of my pretended designs and that all tliat has been told you by the deserters from
the Colony ought to be received by you with nuich suspicion.

You are. Sir, too well acquainted with the service, and the niamu'r that things must be
conducted, to take any umbrage at the supplies which I send to C'ataracouy for the subsistence
of the soldiers I have there.

you know the Savages sufficiently, to be well assm-ed that it would be very imprudent on my
part to leave that place without having enough of supplies and munitions there for one year's

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 459

time. You are not iguorant that it is impossible to get up there at all seasons ; if I were to
have them conveyed for a large force, I should have used other means.

Tlie natural treachery of a people without faith and without religion, require us to be so far
distrustful of them that you ought not to blame me for using precaution against their restlessness
and caprice.

I had the honor to inform you, by my letter of tlie 6"" June last, that the orders I have from
mj' Master manifest merely the zeal which His Majesty entertains for the progress of religion
and for the support and maintenance of the Missionaries. I expect from your piety that you
will not be opposed to that, knowing well how much you love religion. Think you, Sir,
that they can reap much fruit whilst the Savages are allowed no peace in the villages in which
our Missionaries are established '?

When I came here, I thought the peace was assured between the Iroquois and us and our
Savage allies. You see, Sir, what has been the conduct of tlie Iroquois in this rencounter.
Can you say. Sir, that I am wrong in distrusting them "?

They are alarmed at the war which they fancy I shall wage against tliem ; tlieir conscience
only could have impressed them with this idea, since I have not done the least thing to make
them believe that I want any thing else from them than to see peace well established throughout
all the country. What have I done to cause them the least uneasiness V And what do they
want ?

In respect to the pretensions which you say you have to the lands of this country, certainly
you are not well informed of all the entries into possession (pi'mcs Jc ^w.v«6.v;w//.sj which have
been made in the name of the King my Master, and of the establishments of long standing
which we have on the land and on the lakes ; and as I have no doubt but our Masters will easily
agree among themselves, seeing the union and good understanding that obtain between them, I
willingly consent with you that their Majesties regulate the limits among themselves wishing
nothing more than to live with you in good understanding ; but to that end. Sir, it would be
very, apropos that a gentleman, so worthy as you, should not grant protection to all the rogues,
vagabonds and thieves who desert and seek refuge with you, and who, to acquire some merit
with you, believe they cannot do better tlian to tell you manj* impertiuencies of us, whicii will
have no end so long as you will listen to them.

The letter which the Rev. Father de Lamberville has been so kind as to be tlie bearer of
from me on the 6"" June last ought to suffice, Sir, to put you perfectly in possession oi' my
intentions. It would be unnecessary that I should make any other reply to your last of the 22"*
of May, were it not that I was very glad hereby to prove to you again, tliat I shall always feel
a great pleasure in seizing every opportunity to shew that I am

Sir,
Your ver}^ humble ;md ver}' obedient Servant,

(signed) The M. de Dexoxville.

460 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Governor Dongan to Monsieur de DenonviUe.

[New-Tork Papers, B. II. 36.]

2G July, IGSG.
Sir.

I had the honour to rccenve two letters from you one dated the O"' and the other the 20"> of
June last and in them I have foiuid very much satisfaction by the hopes of a good correspondence
with a person of so great meritt worth and repute spread abroad in the army in which I served.
Beleiue it it is much joy to have soe good a neighbour of soe excellent qualifications and temper
and of a humour altogether differing from Monsieur de la Barre your predecessor who was so
furious and hasty very much addicted to great words as if I had bin to have bin frighted by
them. The Indians peraduenture might justly offend him for they as you well remarke are not
people of tiie gi'eatest credit and reputation, but certainly 1 did not amisse in offering sinceerly
to compose the difference and I went expressly to Albany to do it and yet no suitable returns
were made by him for itt. I doubt not but your Master's inclinations are very strongly bent to
propagate the Christian Religion and I do assiu'e you that my master had no less a share in so
pious intentions ; for my part I shall take all inunaginable care tliat the Fathers who preach the
Holy Gospell to tiiose Indians over wliom 1 liavo power bee not in the least ill treated and upon
that very accompt have sent for one of each nation to come to me and then those beastly crimes
3'ou reproove shall be checked severely and all my endevours used to surpress their filthy
(Irunkennesse, disorders, debauches, warring and quarrels, and whatsoever doth obstruct tlie
growth and enlargement of the Christian fiiith amongst those peojile.

I have heard that before ever the King your Master pretended to Cannida, the Indians so farr
as tlie Soutli sea were under the English Dominion and always traded with Albany, Maryland
and Virginia, but that according to your desire with very good reason is wholly referred to our
]Masters, and I heartely pray tiiat neither you nnr myselfe give occasion of any of the least
misunderstanding between them, but tliat a prosperous corresi)ondence strickt amity and Ciniou
may perpettually bee continnued between those Monarclis. The stricktest care shall be taken
concerning runawayes from you and tiiose who are hen^ if you please to send for tiiem shall
bee all conueyed to you — but if tiiere be any soldiers who have deserted, I desire you to give
me the assurance that they shall not loose their lives. And now. Sir, I begg j'our pardon for
giveing you the trouble of my particular affairs which is thus : when my Prince called me out
of the French seruice twenty five thousand liures were due to me as was stated and certifyed
to jNIons"' De Leuoy by the intendant of Nancy — my stay was so short that I had no time to
kisse the kings hands and petition for itt — a ucry great misfortune after so long seruice, for in
the circumstances I was then in, I serued him faithfully to the uttermost of my j)ower. After
I (juitted France i wcnl to Tangier and haveing left that jjlace some time after came hither so
that I neuer bad liuK- to icjjresent my case to His Majestv which I recpiest you to espouse for
me that so by your means I may oiitaine either all or at least some jjart of that which is due to
me — 'l"he Iving 1 know had bin houutilnl lo all luid I am conliilent halli too luurh generosity to
to see me sufl'er howcuer it happens, I shall as heartily pray for his good health and happy
sucess in all his undcilakfings as any one hrcalliing and bee cuer ready lo make all just
acknowledgemenis to yourselfe for so great au oliligation and fiivour ; wishing lieartily for a

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 461

favourable occassion to demonstrate liow profoimd an esteem I liave for your person and merritts
and give undenyable proofs that I am sinceerly and witli all respects

Sir
Your most humble and aflectionate servant

( signed ). Tho Doxgan.

Ilons-ieur de Denonville to Governor Dongan.

[ T E A N S L A T E D F K O M T II E F p. E N C H. ]
[Xew-York Papers, B. II. 6(1.]

* - 1^' Octob. 16SG.1

Sir,

I received by the Rev'' Father de Lamberville the elder, Missionary to the Iroquois
of the village of the Onnontagut-s, tiie letter of the 27"' July which you were at the trouble of
writing me. I repeat to you, Sir, what I have already had the honor of advising you of, that
it will not be my fault if we live not on very good terms. I wish to believe, Sir, that on
your side you will contribute thereto, and that you will put an end to all the causes which
people may have of being dissatisfied with what has occurred under your government, through
your merchants or otliers whom you protect.

I do not believe. Sir, that the King, your Master, approves all the pains you have taken to
induce by presents and arms, the entire Iroquois nation to wage war this year against us — nor
the exhortations you have made them to pillage the French who trade to places wliich we
acquired heretofore, previous to New York being what it is.

You proposed, Sir, to submit everything to the decision of our masters. Nevertheless your
emissary to the Onnontagues told all the Nations, in your name, to pillage and make war on us.
It is a thing so notorious that it cannot be doubted, and will be affirmed in presence of your
emissary. Whether it was done by your order or through the influence of your merchants at
Orange, it has been said and done, and you are not a stranger to the enterprize of your
merchants against Michilimaquina.

I ask you. Sir, what do you wish me to tiiink of all this, and if these things accord with the
letter you did me the honour to write on the 27"' July which is filled with civilities and just
sentiments as well regarding Religion, as the good understanding and friendship existing between
our masters which ought to be imitated in this country in testimony of our respect of, and
obedience to them.

You were so good, Sir, as to tell me that you will give me up all tiie deserters who, to escape
the chastisement of their knavery, have fled to you ; yet. Sir, you cannot but know those who
are there, but as they are all for the most part Bankrupts and Thieves, I hope that tliey will
finally give you cause to repent having a^lbrded them shelter, and that your merchants who
employ tJiem, will be punished for having confided in rogues who will not be more faithful to
them than they have been to our people.

' " 29 Sept. 1686 " in the copy in Paris Documents, III. — Ed.

462 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

I am heartily convinced of the zeal of the King, your Master, for the progress of the Religion;
His Majesty affords us solid and certain proofs thereof in the mighty things that Great King
accomplishes in his States where our holy Religion begins to breathe since his accession to tlie
crown. But it were desirable. Sir, [in order] that his piety should have the like effect under
your orders, that yon would enter with greater accord than you do into the means of checking
tlie insolence of the enemies of the Faith, who by their wars and customary cruelties blast the
fruit of our Missionaries among the most distant tribes. You know, Sir, they spare neither the
Outawas, our most antient allies, nor the other tribes among whom we have Preachers of the
Gospel and with whose cruelties to om- holy Missionaries, whom they have martyred, you are
acquainted. Are all these reasons, Sir, not sufficiently conclusive to induce you to contribute
to designs so pious as those of the King my Master? Thiidi you. Sir, that Religion will make
any progress whilst your Merchants will supply, as they do, Eau Jc T'/e m abundance which,
as you ought to know, converts the Savages into Demons and their Cabins into counterparts
and theatres of Hell.

I hope. Sir, you will reflect on all this, and that you will be so good as to contribute to that
union which I desire, and you wish for.

Finally, Sir, you must be persuaded that 1 shall, willingly and with pleasure, contribute my
utmost to obtain for you the favor your desire from the King my Master, who is not in the habit
of being behindhand with persons of your merit who have efficiently served him. I should
have wished, Sir, that you ITad explained your case more clearlj^ and that you had placed in my
hands the proofs or vouchers of your debt, so as to explain it to the King, for so many things
pass through the hands of His Majesty's Rlinisters that I fear M de Louvoy will not recollect
your afliur, which he cannot know except tlii-ough the Intendant who was at Nancy, whose
name you do not mention. I shall not fail, Sir, to endeavour to obtain for you some favor from
the King my master f()r the services which you have rendered his Majesty. I siiotdd wish. Sir,
to have an onuortunitv. on some other more fitting occasion, to ])rove to }'ou that I am

Sir
"Sour very lunubly and very obedient Servant.
( signed ) The M. de Dexoxvillb.

Gorcrnor Ihriigan to Moiis-icur de Deiiojiville.

[Sew- York I'iipt-rs, B. U. 3S. ]

1 December IGSG.
Sir.

I had the honour to receiue your letter of the first of October IGSG, and had sooner sent an
answer, l)ull that I wanted a convenient opportunity to do itt. I finde you was angry at the
writing and tiierel'ort' for fear it was ill turned into l''rench for 1 have no great skill in your
language have sent a copy of it in Knglisii. 1 desire you to continue in your opinion that
nothing shall bee wanting cm my part that may (■outribute to a good and friendly correspondence
and that I will not protect either nu'rchant or others (hat shall give any just occassion to suspect
it — Bee assured, Sir, that 1 havi- not solicited nor bribed the Inilians to arme and make vvarr

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 463

ngainst you, all the paines I have taken hath Inn to keep tliose people in quiet \vho arc so
inclineable to warr that one word is enough for them. I have forbidden their joining (if they
should bee entreated ). with any others against you neither have I ever allowed any plunder.
1 have only permitted severall of Albany to trade amongst the i-emotest Indians with strict
orders not to meddle with any of your people, and I hope they will ['nn\c the same civillity from
you — It being so farr from pillageing that I beleeve it as lawCuU Ibr the English as French
nations to trade there we being nearer by many leagues then you are — I desire you to send
me word who it was that pretended to have my orders for the Indians to plunder and fight you ;
that I am altogether as ignorant of any enterprise made by the Indians out of this Government
as I am by what you meane by " mihillmiqum." and neither have I acted anything contrary to
what I have written, but will striektly endevour to immitate the Ammity and friendship
between our Masters — I have desired you to send for the deserters, I know not who they are
but had rather such Rascalls and Bankrouts as you call them were amongst their own
countrymen then this people, and will wiien you send word who they are, expell, not detain
them and use all possible means to preuent your good wishes and hopes that our Merchants
may suffer by them — 'Tis true I ordered our Indians if they should meet with any of your
people or ours on this side of the lake without a passe from you or me that they should bring
tliem to Albany and that as I thought by your own desire expressed in your letter, they being
as you have uery well remarked very ill people and such that usually tell lyes as well to
Christians as Heathens. The Missionary Fathers if they please but to do me justice can give
you an account how careful I have bin to preserve them, I have ordered our Indians strictly
not to exercise any cruelty or insolence against them and have written to the King my Master
who hath as much zeal as any prince liveing to propagate the Christian faith and assure him
how necessary it is to send hither some Fathers to preach the Gospell to the natives allyed to
us and care would be then taken to dissuade them from their drunken debouches though
certainly our Rum doth as little hm-t as your Brandy and in the opinion of Christians is much
more wholesome ; however to keep the Indians temperate and sober is a uery good and
Christian performance but to prohibit them all strong liquors seems a little hard and uery
turkish — What I wTote concerning what was due to me for my seruice in France was uery
true, Mons'' Charuell the Intendant at Nancy adjusted and sent them to Mons"" Leuoy signed
by himselfe and me and I gave the copies of them to Mons"' Pagaion liueing in the street of S'
Hon* to putt them into the hands of Mons"" Carillon Chaplaine to the Duchesse of Orleans —
but Sir, you need not to trouble yourselfe about itt for I intend to gett it represented out of
England and doubt not but the King your Master who is so bountiful a prince will be so just
as to pay what became my due by a great deal of fatigue and labour, howeuer I humbly thank
you for the ciuill obliging offers you make me and doe assure you [I] shall be heartily glad of
any occasion to i-equite them desiring you to believe I earnestly wish and contend for the union
(you say) you desii-e and will contribute all in my power to promote and preserve it which is
all the reflection I shall make on your letter being — Sir, assuredly with all due respect

Your most humble and affectionate servant — T. Doxgan.

464 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANU.SCRIPTS.

Gocernor Dongan to tlie Reverend Father de Lcuiiherville.

[New- York Papers, B. 11. 40.]

20"" May, 16S7.
Reverend Father

I have received yours of the tenth courrant from the Onnondages and am heartily glad that
you are in good health and as much as lyes in me you may be assured that I will do all my
eudevours to protect you from the danger you apprehend from those people and all those others
of your fraternity that continue in doing good service.

I am sorry that our Indians are soe troublesome to the Indians of Cannida 1nit I am informed
from Christians that it is the custom of those people, that what countrey they conquer belongs
to them as their own, yet I lay no stress on that, but I am still in doubt whither that land
where the Indians goes to warr belongs to our King or to the King of France, but in all
probability if I be truly informed it must depend on the King of England territories it lying
west and by south of this place and your countryes lye to the northward of us but that is no
material reason for the Indians to disturbe the people of Canada and I will use my endevour
that they shall disturbe them no more but leave the decission of that to my Master at home
as I leave all other things which relates to any difference between us and the people of Canada
and I am sure that Mons'' de Noville will do the same —

I have not spoke to the Indians as yet, your messenger being in hast, cannot give an account
what they can say for themselves but to continue a right understanding between the Government
of Canada and this if any of the Indians will doe anything to disturbe the King of France's
subjects, let the Govemour sent to me and I will doe all the justice that is possible for me to do
and if he will do the same it will be a meane to keep those people in, and to see both Governments
in a good correspondence one with another. But I hear they pretend that they are affraid of the
French, but I hope that Mons'' de Nonville will well w-eigli the business before he inuades any
of the King of England's subjects — I have no time to write to him at present but assure him
of my humble service and that I will write to him before I goe, haveing no other businesse here
in sending for the Indians but to check them for offering to disturbe the people of Canada —

Reverend Father

I am your humble ser\ant
( signed ) Tno : Doxgax

I pray you to pray to God for me

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. '" 465

Governor Dougan to Monftitur de DenonvWe.

[Ncw-Tork Tiipcrs, B. II. +4.]

20 Jime 1GS7.
Sir

The inclosed came to my hands last night from England with orders to have it proclaimed
which has accordingly bin done, what is there agreed upon I will observe to tlie least title and I
doubt not but your Excell : will do the same and I hope bee so kinde as not desire or seeke any
correspondence with our Indians of this side of the Great lake if tiiey doe amisse to an)" of
j'our Governm' and you make it known to me you shall liave all justice done and if any of
your people disturbe us I will have the same recourse to you for satisfaction, as for those further
nations, I suppose that to trade with them is free and common to us all until the meers and
bounds bee adjusted though truly the scituation of tliose parts bespeakes the King of England to
have a greater i-ight to them then the French King, they lying to the soutliward of us just on
the back of other partes of our Kings dominions and a uery great way from you. I am
informed by some of our Indians that Your Excell : was pleased to desire them to meet you at
Cadarague ; I could hardly believe it till I had a letter from Father Lamberuille, wherein he
informs me that 'tis true. I am also informed of your Fathers endevours dayly to carry away
our Indians to Canada as you have already done a great mruiy, you must pardon me if I tell
you that that is not the right way to keepe fair correspondence. I have also been informed
that you are told I have given to Indians orders to rob the French wherever they could meet
them, that is as false as tis true that God is in heaven, what I have done was by your own
desire which was that I should suffer none of Canada to come to Albany without they had your
passe in complyance wherewith I ordered, both, the Indians and tlie people of Albany that if
they found any French or English on this side of the great lake, without either your passe or
mine, they should seize them and bring them to Albany ; I am now sorry that I did it since
its not agreeable to you and has as I am informed hindered the comeiug of a great many
Beauers to this place — I shall therefore recall those orders. I am daily expecting Religious
men from England which I intend to put amongst those five nations. I desire you would order
Mons"" de Lamberuille that soe long as he stayes amongst those people he would meddle only
with the affairs belonging to his function and that those of our Indians that are tununl
Catholiques and live in Canada may content themselves with their being alone without
endevouring to debauch others after them, if they do and I can catch any of them 1 shall
handle them very severely. S'' setting aside the trust my Master has reposed in me I should
be as ready and willing to serve Mons"' de Nonuille as any friend he has, I could wish with
all my heart the wildernesse betwixt us was not so great but that there were more conveniences
whereby we might see one another often, for I have as much respect for all the people of
quality of your nation especially such as have serued in the armies as any man in the world,
can have : as for newes, the ships lately come from England say all things are at peace
both there and in France, and that both our Masters are in very good health and that the
Emperour and the King of Poland are very vigorous against the Turques —

I am — Sir.

Your most humble servant
(sign(Ml) Tiio. DoxGAN.

S' I send you some Oranges hearing they are a rarity in your paries and would s(md more,
but the bearer wants conveniimcy of Carriage —
Vol. III. 59

466 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Moihs-ieiir DenovviUe to Gorc-'rvor I)ongav.

[TRANSLATED FROM T IT E FRENCH.]
[New-York Papers, B. 11. 46.]

21. August 16S7.
Sir,

The respect I entertain for the King your Master and tlie orders I liave from the King to live
in harmony with his Brittannic Majesty's subjects, induce me, .Sir, to address you this letter on
the present state of ail'airs, so that I may not have any tiling to reproacli myself witli.

Seeing, Sir, tlie letter you took tlie trovible to write me on my arrival at tiiis government, I
was led to believe by your civil speeches that we should live in the greatest harmony and best
understanding in the world ; but the result has clearly shewn that your intentions did not at all
correspond with your fine words.

You remember. Sir, that you positively recjuested me in this same letter to refer all the
differences about boundaries to the decision of our blasters. Subsequent letters which I have
received from you sufficiently prove to me that you received what I wrote in answer to your
first to shew you that I willingly submitted that decision to our Masters. Nevertheless, Sir, at
the moment vou were e\hil)iting these civilities to me you issued orders and forwarded passports
for canoes to trade at Missilimaquina, where no Englislnnan ever had put a foot and where our
Frenchmen have been established over fiO years. 1 say notliing of the manunivres and intrigues
had recourse to by your people anil your orders to turn against us all the Indian ti'ibes settletl
among the French. I say nothing, either of all your intrigues to induce the Iroquois to declare
war against us — your merchants at Orange have sufficiently bruited it, and your presents of
munitions of war made with this view, the last and this year, are proofs conclusive enough to
remove all doubts, though I had not on hand evidence of your wicked intentions towards the
subjects of the King whose bread you have eaten long enough and by whom you have been
sufficiently well treated to make you feel greater regard for his Majesty even had you not all
the orders from his Brittannic Majesty that you possess to live amicably with the subjects of
the King, his antient friend.

What have you not done. Sir, to prevent the Senecas restoring to me the Otawas and Hurons
of Missilimaquina whom tliey treacherously took prisoners last year/ and how many journeys
hither and thither were not made to the Senecas on your part and that of your merchants, who
do nothing without your orders, to prevent the restoration of said prisoners by the Senecas,
who were solicited from the village of the Onontagues to gratify me.

I avow to you. Sir, that I never expected on your part such proceedings, which doubtless will
not be pleasing to the King your Master, who will neither approve the strong opposition you
made by threatening to chastise the Iroquois should they visit me when I invited them to repair
to me to arrange with them the causes of dissatisfaction I felt on account of their violences.

Three years ago. Sir, you employed them to make war against the French and their allies.
You took very great pains to furnish them in return with more powder and lead and arms than
they asked of you. ^ (ui have (luu(> moi'e. Sir; for you promised them reinforcenuMits of men
to sustain them against the King's subjects. (iuite recently. Sir, you wished to push still
further your ill-will by desi)atching two parties, commanded by officers bearing your orders, to
Missilimaquina to drive us thence and to put you in possession there, contrary to the pledge you
gave me not to undertake any thing before the arrangement by their Majesties, our masters. You

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 467

have even surpassed all this, Sir ; tor after tlie pains j'ou took to prevent the Iroquois assenihliiig
at Cataracouy, where I expected them to settle all our difficulties and receive from them the
satisfaction they ought to have given me, as well regarding the Huron & Otawa prisoners they
would have sun'endered to me had }'ou not opposed it, as the pillages and robberies they
perpetrated on us, and especial!}^ for the insults they daily offer our missionaries — both to
those they have actually among them, as to those whom they have expelled after repeated ill
treatmment, during the twenty years they remained in their villages — after having had, Sir, I
say, so little regard for the interests of the King's subjects and for the good of Religion, the
progress of which you have thus obstructed, you hfive recently contravened, Sir, the last Treaty
concluded between our Masters, copy of which you received with orders to observe it, and of
which you have also sent me copy. Read it well. Sir, if you please, and you will there remark
how strongly their Majesties have it at heart to preserve their subjects in good union and
imderstanding, so that their Majesties consider the enemies of one to be the enemies of the other.
If the avarice of your merchants influenced you less than the desire to execute the orders of
the King your master, doubtless, Sir, I should already have had proofs of your good disposition
to e.xecute the said treaty, according to which 3' on ought not to atford either refuge or protection
to the Savages, enemies of the French Colony, much less assist them with ammunition to wage
war against it. Nevertheless, I assert positively that you have, since the publication of said
Treaty of Neutrality, contravened it in this particular, since nothing is done in your government
save by your orders.

After that, judge, Sir, what just grounds I have to complain ot^, find be on m}' guard against
yon.

On mj^ return from the campaign which I just made against the Senecas, I received the letter
that you took the trouble to write me. Sir, on the 11"' (^O"") June of this year. You send me
copy of the Treaty of Neutrality entered into between our masters, of which I also transmit
you a copy as I had rec^ it from the King and as it was published in this country. Nothing more
is required therein. Sir, than to have it i'ully and literally executed as well on 3'our part as on
mine. To do that. Sir, you must discontinue protecting the enemies of the Colony and cease
to receive them among you, and to furnish them with munitions as you have done. You must,
also, observe the promise you gave me at the time of my arrival, that you would leave the
decision of the Hmits to our masters. You must, likewise, not undertake anj' expedition against
us in any of our establishments, the greatest portions of which existed before Orange (Albany)
was what it is, or any of Manate were acquainted with the Iroquois and the Ottavvas.

When you arrived in your present government, did you not find. Sir, in the whole of the fi\e
Iroquois villages, all our Missionaries sent by the King, almost the entire of whom the heretic
merchants have caused to be expelled even in your time, which is not honorable to your
government. It is only three j'ears since the greater nurabei were forced to leave ; the
fathers Lamberville alone bore up against the insults and ill treatment they received through the
solicitations of your traders. Is it not true. Sir, that you panted only to induce them to abandon
their mission ? You recollect. Sir, that you took the trouble to send under a guise of duty, so
late as last year, to solicit them by urgent discourses to retire imder the pretext that I wished to
declare war against the village of the Onnontagues. What certainty had you of it. Sir, if it
were not the charge and prohibition you had given them, not to send the prisoners I demanded
of them and they surrendered to me ? You foresaw the war I would make, by that which you

468 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

were tiesirous of waging against me through them, and which you have waged against me
through the Senecas. In this way, Sir, it is very easy to foresee events.

I admire, Sir, the passage of your last letter of the 1 1"' June of tliis year in which you state
that the King of England your Master has juster title than the King to the posts we occupy,
and the foundation of your reasoning is that they are situate to the South of you, just on the
horder of one portion of your territory (domtnatlon). In refutation of your sorry reasonings,
Sir, it is only necessary to tell you that you are very badly acquainted with the Map of the country
aud know still worse the points of the compass where those Posts are relative to the situation of
Menade (New York). It is only necessary to ask you again what length of time we occupy
those Posts and who discovered them — You or we V Again, who is in possession of them ?
After that, read the 5"" Article of the treaty of Neutrality and you will see if you were justified
in giving orders to establish your trade by force of arms at Missilimaquina. As I send j'ou a
copy of your letter with the answer to each article, I need not repeat here what is embraced in
that answer. Suffice it to say this in conclusion, that I retain your officer M'' Gregory here and
all your orders for your pretended expedition, that were taken within the I'osts occupied by the
King. My first design was to send them back to you, but as I know that you entertain and give
aid and comfort to the Iroquois Savages contrary to the Treaty of Neutrality of the 16"" Nov'"
IG8G agreed to by our Masters, causing them to be supplied with all the nuuiitions necessary to
wage a war against us, I have determined, in spite of myself, to retain all your people until you
have complied with the intentions of the King you iNIaster and executed said Treaty, being
obliged to regard you as the King's enemy whilst you upliold his enemies and contravene the
treaties entered into between the King of England and the King my Master.

All that I can tell you for certain. Sir, is that your conduct will be the rule of mine, and that it
will depend on you that the said Treaty be throughly executed. I must obey my Master
and I have much respect and veneration for one of the greatest Kings in the world, the protector
of the Church. You pretend that the Iroquois are under your dominion. To this I in nowise
agree, but it is a question which our Masters will determine. But whether they be or be not,
from the moment that they are our enemies you ought to be opposed to them and be their
enemy, and if you comfort them, directly or indirectly, I must regard you as an enemy of the
Colony and I shall be justified in subjecting the prisoners I have belonging to your govermnent
to the same treatment that the enemies of the Colony will observe towards us.

Hereupon, Sir, I will await advices from you as well as the fitting assurances you will please
give me that I may be certain you do not employ the Iroquois to wage war on us by giving them
protection.

Rely on me Sir. Let us attach ourselves closely to the execution of our Masters' intentions ; let
us seek after their example to promote the Religion and serve it; let us live in good understanding
according to their desires. I repeat and protest. Sir, it remains only with you ; but do not
imagine that I am a man to suHin" others to play me tricks.

I send you back Antoint^ Lespinard, bt-arer of vour passport and letter. 1 shall await, Sir, yom'
final resolution as to tlic reslitution of your j)ris()iiers whom I wisli niucJi to gi\c up to you, lui
condition that you execute the treaty of Neutrality in all its extent and that you llu-nish nio
with ])roper guarantees tiuu'efor.

Sir,
Youi' very hunil)le & very obedient Servant

Tlie [.\L] DE DlCXONVlLLE.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V.

469

M. de Denonville'-s liemarhs on Governor Dongaii's Letter.

[TRANSLATED FKOM THE FRENCH.]
[Ncw-Tork PapcTS, B. 11. rjii. ]

Copy of a Letter from M'" Dongau to the
JNIarquis de Denoiiville of the 11"'
June, 1GS7.

Sir,

"The enclosed came to my liand.s last night
from England with orders to have it proclaimed
wliich has accordingly bin done, what is there
agreed upon I will observe to the least title and
I doubt not but your Excell. will do the same
and I hope bee so kinde as not desire or seek
any correspondence with our Indians of this
side of the Great Lake ; if they do amisse to
any of your goverm' and you make it known
to me you shall have all justice done and if any
of your people disturbe us I will have the same
recourse to you for satisfaction.

As for those further Nations I suppose that
to trade with them is free and common to us
all until tlie meers and bounds bee adjusted.

Truly the situation of those parts bespeakes
the King of England to have a greater right to

Tiie ]\rarquis de Denonville's Answer by
paragraphs to M. Dongan's letter of
the 22"' August 16S7.

Sir,

Nothing will be observed on my part more
strictly than all the articles contained in the
Treaty of Neutrality concluded between our
masters, a copy oi' which I send you as I received
it from the King similar to that you sent me in
Latin. If you observe it as I do, we shall
all have a good understanding ; but you do not
take the proper way to etfect it by your preten-
sions against the King's rights, which form the
whole subject in dispute between us respecting
the limits, as you agreed with me that we should
i-efer the decision thereon to our masters. You
are wrong. Sir, to hold as indisputable that the
Iroquois savages, whom you call your Indians,
are your's. You must. Sir, leave things in the
state you found them on arriving at your govern-
ment, and make no innovation. You know we
have been more than 20 years in possession of the
Five Iroquois Nations by various circumstances,
and especially by that of the Missionaries wiiom
.the King first sent thither, and who have always
remained there despite the persecutions experi-
enced at the hands of those Heathens and
through the instigation of your heretic mer-
chants, and particulaly of the Trader named
Robert Sendre.

This paragraph is not admissible as a prin-
ciple on which you might justify your unjust
expeditions of the last and of this year, and
does not give you the right to wage War for tlie
purpose of extending your boundaries, wlien
you have asked me to leave the settlement of
them to our masters.

You are very incorrectly informed, Sir, regard-
ing the points of the compass of your lands

470 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

tliem than the French King, they lying to the relative to the posts we occupy in the interior
Soutliward of us, just on the back of other of the forest and on the lakes, of which we are in
parts of our dominions, and a very great way undisputed possession since we first discovered
from your territories. those countries.

I am informed by some of our Indians that Since you have been informed that I wished
your Excell : was pleased to desire them to to see the Iroquois at Cataracouy to arrange
meet you at Cataratpie. I could hardly believe with them the causes of discontent I had on
it till I had a letter from the most distant account of their violence and misbehaviour, this
Lambervilles wiio inform nw that it is true. is telling me that it is you who prevented them

coming to give nie an explanation of their
---'-.■. violence. Tiierefore, Sir, I have no reason to

doubt but you would wish to induce me to
proclaim war against them. The Rev'' Fatliers
Lamberville were justified in advising you tliat
I had called the said Iroquois to Catarocouy as
- ■ I instructed them to warn the five Nations to

• . ■ • come there. Had you loved peace and \mion

you would have sent thither some one on your

behalf to contribute to the general peace

between the nations.

T am also informed of your Fathers' endeavors If you had been better informed of the zeal

dayly to carry away our Indians to Canada as of tiie King for the increase of the Christian

they have already done a great many. You and Catholic Faith, you would have been aware

must pardon me if I tell you that that is not of the great number of .Jesuit missionaries wlio

the right way to keepe fair correspondence. Iiave laboin-ed for more than SO years with

infinite pains for the conversion of the poor

savages of this country. I am astonished that

. . ' you are ignorant of the number of martyrs who

_ - have spilt their blood and sacrificed their lives

. " - .. . for tlie faith of Jesus Christ. I am further

^ ■ , _ astonished that you should be ignorant that

before Manate belonged to the King your Mas-
ter— being in possession of tlie heretic Dutch
, - , . as you are aware — our missionaries, persecuted

and martyred, found there an asylum and
protection. Is it possible now, when the same
country lias the happiness to be under tlie
■ ' dominion of a great King, the protector and

defender of tlie truth of the (Jospel, tliat you,
Sir, wlio represent his sacred person and profess
. : ^ . liis Holy Religion should find it strange, and

be scandalized that our Jlissionaries labour so

, usefully as tliey do for the general conversion

^ of these jioor Heathen people. You did not

reflect. Sir, when you complained of it. But 1

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 471

have much greater cause to find it strange that

people should have come last year into our

missions with presents from you to debauch

and dissuade our christians from continuing in

the exercise of the Holy Religion, which they

profess with so much edification. Pardon me

if I say that tiiis is not a right way to preserve

good correspondence.

I have also been informed that you are told I willingly believe, Sir, that you have not

I have given to Indians orders to rob the French given orders to the Iroquois to plunder our

wherever they would meet them. It is as true French. It is unnecessary that you should

as 'tis true that God is in Heaven, I have done make oath of it ; it is sufficient that you say

what you desired which was that I should suffer you have not done so. But you ought to

none of Canada to come to Albany without they heartily contribute by your influence to have

had your pass in complyance wherewith I satisfaction given me for their insults, if you

ordered both the Indian and the people of felt as great zeal as you represent for the exist-

Albany that if they found any French or Eng- ence of union between us. Respecting the

lish on this side of the great Lake, without French who are in the woods, I am very glad

either your passe or mine, they should seize that you agree with me that it is not for you to

them and bring them to Albany. I am [now order their pillage, and that you will recall

sorry] I did it since its not agreable to you and your orders. But you will permit me to tell

I am informed a great many Beavers would you tiiat you do not observe your promise,

have come to this place. 1 shall therefore particularly as regards the French who remove

recall my orders. to you without passports from me, and who

desert ; for, whilst I have the honor to write to

you, you know that Salvaye, Gedeon, Petit,

and many other rogues and bankrupts like them,

are with you, and boast of sharing your table.

I should not be surprised that you tolerate them

in your country, but I am astonished that you

' , ^ - would promise me not to tolerate them ; that

you so promise me again, and that you should

performnothingof what you do promise. Trust

me. Sir, promise only what you are willing to

abide by.

I am daily expecting Religious men from I should think, Sir, that you ought to have

England which I intend to put amongst those awaited the decision of the differences between

five Nations. I desire you would order Mons' our masters relative to the boundaries, before

de Lamberville that so long as he staves dreamingofintroducingreligious men among the

amongst those people he would meddle only Five Nations; your charity. Sir, for the conver-

with the afflxirs belonging to his function and sion of these people would have been more useful

that those of our Indians that are Catholics in to them, and more honorable to you had you

Canada may content themselves with their commenced by lending your protection to the

being alone without endeavoring to debauch missionaries they had for the advancement of

472 . NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

others after them. If they do and I can catch rehgion, instead of taking pains to drive them
any of them I shall handle them very severely, from their missions and prevent them convert-
ing the heathen. You cannot deny, Sir, that
- ' should our missionaries leave, these poor infidels

•. • ' • will be a long time without instruction if they

must await the arrival of your religious men,
■ ' " - ■ ■ ' and until these have learned the language.

"^ Regarding your desire that our missionaries

content themselves with what Christian savages
' ; - they have in Canada, you little understand, Sir,

• ■ • their zeal. I assure you there is not one who

' would not willingly be burnt alive, were lie

assured that he could attract by his martyrdom
• - all the Indians to the Christian and Catholic

• faith. Can you censure them for this charity,

and can you accuse them of debauching people
^-^ . ' , .' when they seek only their salvation and CJod's

■ ■ ■ " ■ glory?

I should wish. Sir, witli all my lieart to b(> I sliould wish you would desire to be on such

able to serve you and to visit you but tlie dis- good tenns as that we could visit each other,

tance between us is too great. I liave much I would willingly repair to tlie confines of yom-

respect lor all tlie people of quality of your government, which are very close to Orange,

nation and especially such as liave served in Therefore you would not have much of a

the armies. journey to make.

- I thank you, sir, for your oranges. It was a

. ' ■ ■' •. great pity tliat they should have been all rotten.

I am, sir,

■ ' ■ . ■ " Your very humble and

' ' 'r • • very obedient servant,

- (Signed) The M. de Denoxville.

Governor Ihnigati to Mo)i\ii:nr <lt Denonville.

[Ni-w-YcirU I'opors, B. II. 64.]
..... .• , . . , • , 9 Sepf l(iS7.

Sir.!. .■

Your's of the 2P' of August last I have received and am sorry, that IMon.s'' de Xonvilh; lias so
soon forgot the orders lie had from his Master to live well with the King of England's subjects,
but J find the air of Canada has strange effects on all the (iovernors boddys, for I no sooner
came into this province, then Mons'' delaBarr desired my assistance to warr against the Siimekes,
upon which I went to Albany and sent for the five nacons to come to me, and when they came was

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 473

very angry with them for offering to doe anytliing to the French that might disturb tlieir hunting,
or otherwise, on which they answered me, that they had not don anything to the French, but
what Mons"' delaBarr Ordered them, which was that if they mett with anj' French hunting without
liis passe to take what they had from them, notwithstanding if any of tlieir people which were abroad
had don any injury they knew not of, they assured me they would give satisfaction. I send him
word of all this and assured him satisftaction, butt, notwithstanding, he comes in an hostile manner
on this side of the lake, to a place called Kayouhaga, and there by the means of the Onnondages
made a peace with the Hinnekes, so if they have commit.ed any fault before that, it was all concluded
there, but I appeal to any rational man whatever whether it was fitt for any Govern"' of Canada to
treate or make any peace with his Majesty's subjects without the adivice and knowledge of the
Governour of the province they lived under, butt I tinde the designe to mine those five nations,
Since you cannot with bribes or other means gain them to be oi' your party, is of a longer date
then three or i'oure yeares, since Mons'' Denouuille ibllovvs the same ste[)s his ]iredecessors trod
in, tlio' he proposed to himselfe so fair a beginning, I am sure he will not make so good an
end, for no sooner was Mons'" Denonuille in possession of his Government butt he begun to build
a great many boates, and cannoes, and putt a great deal of provissions and stores into Cataraque,
at which our Indians on this side of the lake were much alarmed and came to me, to know the
meaning of itt, upon which I sent to you by the way of Mons'" Lamberveille to know what you
intended by all these preparations, your answer was, as lions'' Denonville may remember, that
the winters being long, and you resoluing to have a good number of Men at Cataraque, you
accordingly made provision for them, and if I had not really believed what you writt to be true,
1 might have bin in as much readynesse to have gone on the other side of the lake as Mons"' de
Nonuille was to come on this — Now Sir, I will not answer your hayty way of expressions in
your own stile butt will plainly let you know the matter of fact as it is; if S' you please to peruse
those letters, I from time to time sent you, you will find that I still couetted nothing more then to
preserue that friendshipp, which is between our masters, and aught to be between their subjects
here, and as you well remarke, is according to their commands, and pray Sir, which is itt of us
both that hath taken the way to unty that knott of friendshipp — Mons-" de Nonuille invadeing
the King of England's territorys, in a hostill manner, (tho' his reception has not been according
to his expectation) is soe plaine a matter of fact that it is undenayable whether you did itt
designedly, to make a misunderstanding or noe, I can not tell, if you did I hope itt will take
noe effect butt that our Masters at home notwithstanding all your trained souldiers, and greate
(Jfficers come from Europe will suffer us poor planters and farmers, his Majesties subjects in
these parts of America to do ourselves justice on you for the injuries and spoyle you have
committed on them, and I assure you Sir, if my master gives leave I will be as soon at Quebeck
as you shall be att Albany, as for Major M"^Gregorie and those others you took prisoners they
had no passe from me to go to Missillimaquine butt a passe to go to the Ottowawes, where I
thought it might bee as free for us to trade, as for you, and as for glueing them any commission
or instructions to disturb your people, I assure you, you do me wrong. And if you please to
read his instructions, you will find there I give expresse orders to the contrary and for your
pretences of sixty yeares possession, 'tis impossible for they and the Indians who wear pipes
thro' their noses, traded with Albany long before the French settled att INIontreall, butt in case
it weare as you alledge, which I have not the least reason to beleeve, you could only have
prohibited their trading in that place and let them gon to some other nation —

It is verry true I offered you to leave the decision to our masters at home, in case of any
Vol. III. 60

474 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

difference, and pray Sir left me know in what I am [in?] the least, have acted to the contrary ;
You tell me I hindred the five nations, on tiiis side tlie lake who have subjected themselves, their
countrys, and conquests under tiie King of England to go to you to Cattaraque ; Itts very true
I did so and thought itt very unjust in you to desire their comeing to you — for the King of
England did not send me here to suffer you, to give laws to his subjects of this Government —
You also alleage that I have given orders to those Indians to Pillage and warr, upon your
people — Sure Sir, you forgot what you desired of me ; if you will please to reflect on one of
your owne letters, in which you acquainted me, that many of your people run away into this
Government, and desired that I would take and send back, any should be found on this side of
the lake, vdthout your passe upon which I ordered those of Albany and also the Indians, to
seize, and secure, all persons whatever as well french as English on this side of the lake
without vour passe or mine truly Sir, I ought severely to be rebukt for this, itt having been
the hindrance of many thousands beavers comeing to Albany ; further you blame me for
hindring the Sinakees deliuering np the Ottowawa prisoneis to vou, this I did with good
reason — tor, what pretence could you have to make your applications to them and not me,
neverthelesse I ordered ALajor ArGregory to carry them to the Ottawaways and if your claim
be only to Missillimaqnina, what cause had you to hinder Magregory to go to the Ottawawas —

What you alleage concerning my assisting the Sinnakees, with arms, and amnnmition to
warr against you, was neuer giuen by mee untill the sixt of August last, when understanding
of you[r] unjust proceedings in invading the King, my Masters territorys, in a liostill manner, I
then gave them powder lead and armes ; and united the five nations together to defend that
part of our King's dominions from your jnjurious invasion, And as for offering them men, in
that you doe me w'rong, our men being all buisy then at their haruest, and I leave itt to vour
judgement whether there was any occasion when only fbure hundred of them engaged with
your whole army. —

You tell me in case I assist the Indyans you will esteeme me an ennemy to your Colony —
Sir, give me leave to left you know, you are a farr greater ennemy to your Colony then I am,
itt haueing always being my endevour to keepe those Indyans from warring with you, who in
your protecting their enemys that have killed and Kobbed them in their hunting and otherwise,
and that, not once but several times have given them great provocations, [)utt you have taken
away to spill a great deale of christian blood without gaining the })oiDt )'ou aim att, and for
you, who have taken the Kings subjects prisoners, in a time of peace and taken their goods
from them without any just grounds for so doing, how can I expect butt that you will use them
as you threaten ; You say also in your letter, that the King of England, has no right to the
five nations on this side the lake, I would willingly know if so, whose subjects they are in
your opinion — You tell me of your haueing had Missionary es among them, itt is a very
charitable act, but I suppose and am very well assured that giues no just right or title to the
Government of the Country — Father Bryare writes to a Gent: there that the King of China,
never goes anywhere without two Jessuits with him: I wonder why you make not the like
pretence to tliat Kingdome ; You also say you had many Missionaryes anmng them att my
comeing to this Govermn' in that you have been misinformed, for I never heard of any butt the
two Lambeiuills who were att Onnondages, and wen; protected by me from the Insolencys of
Indians, as they desired of me, and as by their letters in which they give me thanks appears,
but when they uiulerstood your intentions, they thought fit to goe without takeing leave ; butt
their siMiding there was as I afterwards found for some other end then propagating the Christian

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 475

IJeligion as was apparent by some k'ttfrs of tlieirs directed to Canada, which happened to come
to my hands —

Now you have mist of your unjust pretentions — You are willing to refer all things to our
Masters, I will endevour to protect his Majest' subjects here, from your unjust iimasions until
1 hear from the King my Master who is the greatest and most glorious Monarch that ever set
on a Throne and would do as much to propagate the Christian faith as any prince that Hues
and is as tender of wronging the subjects of any Potentate whatever, as he is of suffering his
owne to be injured —

Itt is very ti-ue that I have eat a great deale of the bread of France and have in requittall
complyed with my obligations in doing what I ought and would preferr the service of the
French King, before any, except my owne, and have a great deal of respect for all the people
of quality of your nation which engages me to aduise Mons'" Denonuille to send home all the
Christian and Indians prisoners the King of England's subjects you unjustly do deteine, this
I thought titt to answer to your reflecting and provoking letter —

a true coppy

In.stfHctioii-s fivin. Governor Doiiijan to Captain, Palmer.

[New-York Entry, U. 167.]

Instructions for Capt" Palmer

You are to inform his Mat^ that in may last I had letters from Albany @ Infbnnacons of
Indians that came from Canada, That the Governor of Canada went from Monte Royall with
a great many French and Indyans in Boats & Canno's towards Caddaraque with an Intention
to come on this side of the Lake @ war against the Sinnekes upon Receipt of which I called
the Councill @ the letters @ Information were read upon which the Councill thought
convenient to give what assistance possibly we could to our Indians @ to that intent I, Major
Brockhells yourself and other Gentlemen went up to Albany where there was from time to
time such orders @ Instructions sent @ given to the Indyans as was thought fitt for their
security

The French Pretence for Coming into the Kings Territories @ warring with our Indians, is
that they war with the further nation of Indyans who lye on tjje back of Maryland, \'irginia.
@ Carolina, which is only a feigned pretence for that I have sent sev" letters to Mons"" La Bar
who was Governor of Canada to signify that if our Indians had done them any injury they
should make them all reasonable satisfaction, but that would not satisfy for he came to
Cayouhage' where the Indians would have me build a Fort @ there made a Peace with the
Indians so that what the Indians had done before this Gov' came was concluded @ agreed
thereby tho they had not done anything to the French but what was in Pursuance of his own
orders

' See note, ante p. 431. — Ed.

476 .. NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And as to their Warring with the farther Indyans that is more hurtfull to \is than the French
they behig inclined to trade with us rather than them which by their Warring is hindred @ in
my opinion the Christians ought not to meddle with the Indians warring one with another it
beino- tlie ruin of themselves And as for this present Governor of Canada Mons"' de Nonville
he has no ground for what he does, for I have from time to time offered to do him Justice for any
ill the Indians should committ and sent a messinger this Spring to him for that purpose, to take
away all pretence whatsoever @ also sent him word that those live Nations on our side of the
Lake had delivered themselves @ their Lands under the subjection of our King @ that I had
caused the Kings arms to be sett upon all their Castles

But their reason for this Warr is that the Indyans would not submitt @ joyn themselves to the
French who have used all other nieanes to effect it @ those failing have caused this attempt so
that we find they have a further design which is by the Ruin of those Indians to engross both
the Trade @ Country wholly to themselves, and to that Intent the F'rench King has sent over
upwards of 3000 men besides what came this last spring and alsoe has built a Fort at a place
called Shamblee and another at INIonte Ryall an other at Trois Riviers one at Cataraque at the
other side of the Lake and this Spring an other on our side of the Lake, at a place called
onyegra where I had thought to have built one it being the place where all our Traders & Beaver
Hunters must pass.

So that they are resolved to Ruin all those Indians, @ if they compass their design it will be
of very ill consequence to all his Maf" subjects in those parts of America for they are a better
BuUwark against the French and the other Indians than so many Christians, @, if the French
have all that they pretend to have discovered of these Parts, the King of England will not have
100 miles from the sea anywhere, for the people of Canada are poor @ live only on the Beaver
@ Peltry and the Kings subjects here living plentifully have not regarded making discoveries
into the country until of late being encouraged by me one Roseboon had leave in the year 1(JS5
to go with some young men as farr as the Ottawawe & Twiswicks, where they were very well
rec'' @ invited to come every year, @ they desired that the Sennekas being their enemies would
open a path for them that they might come to Albany.

But a little after their being there a party of our Indians being out attacked a Castle of theirs,
took 5 or GOO prisoners and brought them away to their own country, which when I heard of I
ordered the Indians to deliver to Roseboom @to one Major M'"Gregory a Scots gent" (who went
with 00 of the yovnig men of Albany, and some of Albany Indians a Beaver trading to those
further nations) as many of those prisoners as were willing to return home, the Gov' of Canada
hearing of their going that way sent 200 French @ 300 or 400 Indians to intercej)t them has
taken them Prisoners taken their goods from them @ what they further design to do with them
is not yet known.

And for this Government which is too poor of itself to help our Indians without adding
Connecticut @ East @ West Jersey @ in case the war continues without the assistance of our
Neighbours @ some men out of Europe will be wholly impossible, for we are the least Goverment
@ the poorest @ yet are at the greatest charges @ we find this year that the Revenue is very
much diminished for in other years we are used to Ship off for England 35 or 40000 Beavers
besides Peltry, @ this year only !)000 and some hundreds Peltry in all

The Councill to shew their readiness to serve the King have passed two Acts for raising l"* !"■
lb. at New York, Esopus, @ Albany, these three places being the only support of the Government

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 477

@ li"" on Long Island @ the rest of tlie Government wlio do not advance the Kings Revenue
neither by Excise nor Customs 150" p'' ami :

To secure the Beaver @, Peltry Trade @ the Kings right to the Country : Its mine @ the
Councils opinion (alsoe to have an awe over our Indians @ make them firm to us) to build a
Fort at Corlars Lake, to secure us that way from Incursion of either French, or Indians, an
other at Cayouhage, upon the great Lake, and another at onyegra @ 2 or 3 little other Forts
between Schonectade @ the Lake to secure our people going @ coming

This cannot possibly be done without 4 or 500 men out of Europe, @ in case Connecticut @
the two Jerseys be added to this Govennnent, with some help from Pensilvania, @ the three
lower Countys it may be effected without any ciiarge to the King, @ will be a great security
to all these parts of America

If the metes @ bounds could be adjusted at home, it would be very convenient, provided
always that the Country were first well discovered by us in which the P'rench at pi'esent have
much the advantage. And it is very unreasonable that the P'rench who lye so much to the
Northward of us sh"* extend themselves soe far to the Southward @ Westward on the Back
side of his Mat-' Plautacons when they have so vast a quantity of Land Lying Directly behind
y' dominions they now possess, to the Nortward @ Northwest, as far as the iSouthsea

Whether Peace or War it is necessary that the Forts should be built, {o}. that religious men
li\c. amongst the Indians.

I have that influence over our Indians, that I am sure they will not war on any Indians living
amongst His Mat^' subjects

The monies that are now to be raised is for defraying the charge of Arms, Powder, Lead (^
other presents given to the Indians this summer as also to make some preparations against the
Spring in Cases of Necessity.

Whatsoever is his MaV" pleasure I desire that my Lord Sunderland, will by the first conveniency
either by the way of Maryland, Virginia or Boston, let me know and send me orders how I
shall proceed in this afiair

You are so well acquainf* with all that has passed in this Government concerning this affair
with the French, and my constant Endeavours to preserve a good correspondence with them, tiiat
what I have here omitted I desire you will take care to inform his May.

Thos Dongan

Dated the S"-

September, 16S7 ' . '

Governor Dongan to the Lord T* resident.

I New- York Entry, H. 166. ]

New York Sep IS"- 1687
My Lord

Since writing my other Letter some messages have come to my hands from Albany of their
apprehensions of the French which obliges me to carry up thither two hundred men, besides the
his returning Garrison @ go and stay there this Winter, and to get together five or six hundred

u. Albany ^j. ^^^ g^^ natious about Albany @ Schonectade which will be a great charge l)ut

I see no remedy for it

478 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

My Lord it is a great misfortune for tliis Govermn' that there are so few of his M-aV'' natural
born subjects, the greater part being Dutch, who if occasion were, 1 fear would not be very fitt
for service

I am sending to the further Indians to try if I can make a Peace betwen them @ the
Sennekas and also to the Christian Indians about Canada who have a mind to come, to lett them
know I will get a Priest for them, I will do what is possible for me to save the Government
against the French til I have lurther Orders from your Lodp Judge Palmer has more Papers to
shew your Lodp that came from Albany, by those he carries with him your Lodp may perceive
the Grounds I have for my proceedings.

I am your Ludps most obed'

and Humble Servant

Tho Doxgan

Pdtr >Schu,ijlcr to Governor Domjan.

[ Ne«-Yurk I'^jicrs, B. 11. 1. ]

2"'' Sepf 10S7.

Way it please Your Excellency

Last night Anth" Lespinard & Jean liosie arrived here from Canida, have been 20 days upon
the way, have letters from [tbrV] your E.xcell: have therefore dispatciied Anth" with 2 Indians
down, his compagnion being sick, could not goe —

The news YourExcell: will hear of Anth" neveithelesse have thought fitt to examine his
compagnion, who is an honest man, tells us these following news, of which your Excell: may
discourse Anth" about at large —

1. That he heard of father Valiant that the French will not release our people. Except that
Your E.xcell: will promise not to supply the Sinnokes with amunition or any other assistance —

2. That Anth" told him he heard one of the Fathers say, if the Sinnekes got any of there
people prisoners would exchange our people for them, man for man —

3. That they had now a great advantage of your E.xcell : and of the Indians also, having so
many of our people and of the Indians prisoners —

4. He heard the Jesuits say that Cryn and the rest of the Christian Indians, were no ways
inclined to engage in the war, if the Maquas, Oneydes and Onnondages were concern'd, because
there Brethren, Sisters, uncles ants ettc were there ; and therefore all means was used to engage
said three nations to sit still, for he see 5 Onnondage Christian Indians dispatched with Belts
and presents to the Onnondages 2G days agoe, to perswade them not to warr —

6. The French were not minded to warr with any of the Indians, except the Sinnekes, ;ind
would make a peace with them also if they would deliver to them 10 or 12 of the best Sachims
children for hostage and then they would appoint them places where they should hunt : and so
gett them wholly to their disposition —

6. The Governour of Canida sent for all the Bosslopers that were at Ottawawa and ordered
them to come only with there arms and meet him at Cadaragb(jua which they did, being about
300 men under the command of three French Capt"' and left there Bevers in the Jesuits house
att Dionondade, and so marched with the Governour of Canida to the Sinnekes, in the mean

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 470

time a fortunate fyer takes the house and burns them all to the number of twenty thousand
Bevers, when the news came to Mon Royal the Bosslopers were like to go distracted —

7. He heard by beat of Drumm proclaimed throu Mon Royall, that as soon as the peace was
made with the Sinnekes the Ottawawa trade should be farm'd out, which displeased the
Bosslopers much and said, that if that was done the)^ were all ruined —

S. Many of the Bosslopers were inclined to come here not being minded to fight against the
Sinnekes, but dare not come for fear of the Indians by the way —

9. Itt was generally beleev'd that the Sinnekes would come to Canida and begg for peace,
because there corn was destroyed, and if they were supplyed by them of Albany they would
come hither in the winter and plunder this place, having 1500 pare of snow shows ready made,
and if they found that we gave the Sinnekes any the least assistance, they would not let the
Childe in the cradle live —

10. He heard further of a Merchant that if we would su]iply the Sinnekes, they would send
our people away all severall ways, some to Spain some to Portugall some to the Islands, and
it was no more than the English had done to ^^ons'■ Pere whom they kept 18 monthes in closse
prison at London —

11. The French all acknowledge the Sinnekes fought verry well, and if there number had
been greater it would have gone hard with the French, for the new men were not used to the
Sinnekes hoop and hollow, all the Officers falling downe closse upon the ground, for the Officers
jeard on another about it att Mont Royall —

This is what Jean Rosie Anth" Lespinard's compagnion doth relate being an inhabitant of
this towne, and a verry honest man, although a frenchman, they were kept 5 weeks in arrest
after they came to Canida upon pretence that there passe was false for could not beleeve your
Excell'^'' was here butt gone home haveing such advice from the french Ambassadour, he prays
Your Excell : would consider the pains and trouble and the loss of time that has been att
waiting for an answer from the french Governour ; We have put down these articles that your
Excell : may examine Anth" about them (since he knows nothing of this) because he was
extream farailliar with the Govern"' and all there great men there ; We have the news of
Keman that the Indians have taken 8 men 1 woman and 8 crownes or scalpes, and kild neer
upon 20 more at the place where the Barks are, the particulars Your Excell : will have in
R Levingstones letter — We find that the selling of strong Liquor to the Indians is a great
hindrance to all designs they take in hand, [they s]tay a drinking continually at Shinectady, if
your Excell : would he pleased to prohibit itt for two or three months would do very well ;
Wee remain

Your Excellency ■

most humble and most obedient
Servant ( signed )

P"" Schuyler —

480 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANTISCKIPTS.

Robert Livingston to Governov Domjan..

\ Xew-Tork Pnp.rs, C. 11. ]

S""" Sepf 16S7.
]\Iny it please Your P>.\cell :

Kemai) came liere last night and his brought the six prisoners allong with him alwomen,
which hes occasion'd his so long stay, the seventh being a boy is att Cayouge, and will be here
in a few dayes ; The prisoners are att his bouse at shinnechtady being wearied could not reach
this place, as soon as they come shall be dispatched away with what Sacliims that are here ;
But Keman having news came a horseback and tells us that a days journey above the Maquase
("astles was over-taken by S Maquase that had been out with 2S0 Indians att Cadarachqui and
had there burn'd, tJje liouses and Barn that stood without tlie ibrt, aud taken foure men and
one woman prisoners ; They see and spoke with father Lamberville who came out to them
with a white Flagg, and ask'd who they were ; There Capt" being an Onnondager replyed,
all Onnoudages (althogh the troop was composed of all tiie 5 nations) and said tiiey were come
to revenge the injury the French had (U)ne to the Sinnekes, They ask'd the fatlier what his
business was there, he answered he was left by the Govern"' of Canida to see if any of the
Indians would seek for peace, and excused himself exclaira'd against the Cover"" of Canida and
told how that he and all them of his profession had done there endevor to perswade him to the
contrare but could not prevaile, and in derision told the father they were come to see if the
iVench would not seek for peace, pointing to the -5 prisoners they had taken; When the said
company was neer to Cadarachqui, twelve Onnondages resolved to go down to the rifts or falls
where the French bring up their provisions, to see what good fortune they could meet withall
there, and coming down IS leagues below Cadarachqui see two barks and some Canoes aboard
unloading of provisions, upon which they sent some of there number to see if there were any
more Canoes a comeing and spyed another parcell, wlio came to the barks but could not unload
altogether, aud therefore some came ashore till the rest were unloading, the said 12 Onnandages
took this good opportunity as soon as they were got ashore a makeing of fire, gave them a
volley of shott, kild eight of whom they brought their scalps along with them, took 4 prisoners
and knok severall in the head with there axes whose scalps they could not get. Hying into th.e
water the stream carried them away — They doe beleeve they killd at least twenty, and not
soe much as one of the Indians wounded, which nine prisoners are divided among the 5 nations
— Two to the Simiokes two to the Cayouges, two to the Onnondages, two to the Oneydes, and
(iiH^ to the jNIaquase. This good successe upon those that brought provisions hes occasioned 300
Indians to go down that way to waylay others that might come ; I hope the Indians will iu)t
draw the blood of the prisoners but be mindefull ol your KxccU : orders, I shall ))ut ilicm in mind
of itt, with the first opportunity. This goes with xVnth" the frenchman, whom I have furnishd
with provisions for the Voyage. The Canida news I have sett down in eleven articles in the
Mayors letter : If your Excellency pays not the two Indians that go with Antho: to \ew York
be pleased to write What 1 shall give them — I have no more to add but that I am

Your Excell: most humble and

most obedient servant
(signed). Kon' LivixasTox

The Maquase that went with our people last fall to Ottawawa who was in the frcncii army and
ruim away to the Pinnokes and discovered all the french designs, and w-as in the fight against

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 481

the frencli, was one of the 8 that tells these news, and was at the takeing of the prisoners at

Cadarachqui, says lies lost all, prays that he may have a giinn and some powder and shott, and

an ax to goe out a fighting again, which I shall give him since he is expected in 2 days time —

Sir — I have given the two Indians two fadden Duffels since they were naked and had no

clothes —

Hohert Livingston, to Governor Donijan.

•> [\ew-Tork PaiH-rs, B. II. 6.]

S'" Sepf 1GS7.
May it please your Excell:

These are to accompany the six Virginia prisoners, which the Oneydos have brought and
delivered to me; I have told them that they procure the lioy, which they say is given to the
Sinnekes, as Your Excell: will see by the inclosed propositions —

The Sachims of Onnondage and Sinnekes are not come as Your Excellency appointed,
occasioned by the dayly rumors of the french coming to attacjue them — Here goes the
Eng ishman for Cayouge two for Oneyde, one for the ]Maquase, since there Sachims are not
come, one for the Skachkook Indians and 2 for the Mahekanders: We have news from Oneyde
that the Indians have taken more french prisoners, that certainty we shall hear to morrow; I
am affraid that they will burn the French prisoners, they are so exasperate, all means possible
shall be used to prevent itt — The Mayor goes tomorrow himself to the Indians Westward to
hinder their cruelty for we hear they have cut off a finger of one of the frenchmen ; I hope
the Maquase will bring there prisoners here : The 70 Maquase lye still at Shennectady, and
doe nothing — its thought they will not budge till they hear what Your Excell"'' will doe with
Janetje. They would be satisfied that he were confined but much displeased if he should be
worse used. Tomorrow our Court of Sessions sitts, when the fortifying of this towne will be
discoursed off. We want a person skilld, to direct and order businesse; as soon as any further
news comes, shall immediately give your Excell: an account. John Rosie forgot when he was
examined how that the french of Canida seem to be niuch incensed at a picture which they found
in the Sinnekes country made by us as they say, viz : one a horseback the horse has an ax in his
mouth and under his belly abundance of Ropes, two Indians smoaking together and an Eagle
between them. The man on horseback is Anient, bidding the Sinnekes to kill the french, the
ropes is to tye the french prisoners. The two Indians are the Sinnekes and Cayouges united
to war with the french, the Eagle is the Onnondages flyeing to and again and is not fixed with
whom to joyn — Your Excell: will hear all of Anth° — So wishing Your Excell: all health and
prosperity I remain

Your Excell: most humble and

most obedient servant
(signed) Rob' Livingston

I have sent to Broy' Cortlant a note of the expence about the Virginia prisoners as M"' Jo:
Johnson desyred me —

Vol. in- 61

482 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Major Pdti- ScliuyJi-r to Governor Doiiijaii.

[Xcw-Tork riipcrs, B. II. 7.]

7"' Sep""' 1GS7.

The River Indians that went witli our people tliis spring to Ottowawa being come home by
land from Canida Iiave tal^en tlie opportunity now wliile the Justices are togetlier at the
Sessions, to examine them about all transactions at Canida, since they were compelld to be in
the fight, and they among other things tell ns that the Twichtwichs, Ottawawas and other four
nations of Indians were verry unwilling to proceed in the warr against the Sinnekes, and went
straight home as soon as the fight was over, with an intention not to come back to a.ssist the
french, soe that it is very probable they will hearken to a peace with the Sinneke.s as Your
E.xcell: is intended, and when the said River Indians came to MonRoyal in Company with the
Onnagonque Indians' that had been iu the engagement received a great deal of kindnesse of
them, who declared there great dislike of the french warring with the Sinnekes — and especially
of the french abuseing of our people ; They inform us further that by all there discourse it
would be no hard matter to perswade them to come here being about fourscore men in a fort
neer Quebeck and thirty men of the same nation of Onnagonques neer MonRoyall, they putt
our Indians upon the way hither giving them provisions as much as carried them to a Castle of
Pennokook Indians,^ where they wanted for nothing. They gave us such assurance of the said
Indians inclination to come hither, that we were once resolv'd to send some of our Indians witli
belts of Wampum to that Castle of Pennokook who would send some of .there Indians to tiie
Onnagonques at Canida, but afterwards considering tiiat it would be more safe and prudent to
advertise Your E.xcell: of a businesse of such import, have upon mature deliberation sent M'"
Mai-te Gerritse downe e.xpresse with three of the Indians to give to your E.xcell: a full
information of all atfares, and told the Indians to make provision ready against they come up —
The said River Indians when at Canid lodged in the Maquaa Castle and found some of them
rather inclined to come hither tiian stay there, but we referr Your Excell'^^' to the Indians, who
will inform your Excell: of all and how the french put the arms at Onyagaro ettc —

The various reports that com dayly makes us consider in what posture our place is olf
defence, we know not what design the french may have, and it is ceilain this place must be the
general Rendezvous of the County, and therefore we pray your Excell: orders and advice in
that afiiire, and that the County may be required to assist us. We have had also discoui-se
with the rest of the justices, concerning the farmers bringing in wlu'at and other provisions
before winter, which they very well approove oft', and we pray your Excell: to sent an order
(hat no men may be sufiered to go from hence, since we find some would willingly absent
themselfs, we have no more to add not doubting but Your ivxcell: is mindeful of our poor
people at Canida whose wifcs and children sufii'r by the captivity and re(|uest of me dayly to
sisiuify itt to Your Ivxcell"' 1 remain

"^'our I'ixccll : lud.sl lnnHl)le and

nio.'^t oliedii'iit scn'vant
(signed). i'lKTER Sciu'Vj.Ei; —

' TIiIn Irilu- ii|.i..| llh' iMtiii.l ,ln ..11 III. u|.|.. r |.miI ..I tli.- K.iui. !...■ ri\. r, M;iiM.-. Tli.-v w.t<. <-nll..l OMM;:,.ii,iuos

l.v II,.. Dul.'li. Ownm-uiifjas l..y 111.' Kirjlisli. :i)hI .\l..ii.-il.i, li.v Hi.' Kivii.-h. rharlcioi.N, in liis //«/, Xoue. Fr.. H.>., 1., 27'.!,
i„n ., Ih. til.-h.Muin.s will MioiTiucs wri. nl-., inclii.!..! iiii.l.-r 111.- l'.'h.i'.iI nuiiif of Alieiiakis. — En.

■ Th.. I'. iKH'ooks wcri' n N(.\v-1Imiii|.^Imi-.' I HI", an.l iiih.il.il.'.l Ciii.-.ir.l :iiiil tlui Mcrriumc (MUiiitry abuvc ami liolow tliat
town. ,\ full lU'cdiiil nf IIlmii will !"■ lo'iii.l in Moor.'s Anitahnf Cnii.-orr/, 7"; nii.l in Coltn-iinnsnf yrwJIumpxIiirc llUkiricul
Socidil, I., 218. — 1:0.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 48:}

Propoiition-s of (lie Moliawh Indians to the M(njoi\ (fv"., of AJhany.

[Board of Traje Papors, New- York, TIL]

Propositions made by the Maquass Sacliims to the Mayor and Aklernien of the
City of Albany in the Citty Hall of the said Citty on the ninth day of
September 16S7.

Present — P"' Schuyler Esq"''' Mayor

Dirick Wessells Recorder

Ad' Geritse ")

Hend'' Cuyler >- Aldermen

Alb" Ryckman j
Interpreters : H. Keeman & Rob' Sanders.
Rode was Speaker.

Brethren, It is not unknown to you how that the Gov'' of Cannida hath begun an illegal war
upon us without any provocation or cause, he throws his Axe every where and exercises acts of
hostility upon all people without respect of persons hee hath not only taken of our people
prisoners in time of peace but our Brethren the English also that were about there lawfull
occassions in travelling to Ottawawa, which certainly you have as good a right to as the
French, and since amongst the rest Arnot the Interpreter is also taken prisoner who hath don
good services for us in travelling up and downe in our Country, and wee haveing a French
prisoner according to our custome doe deliver him to the family of Amout in his stead and
Room to wash of the tears of his wife and children hopeing he will be acceptable.

The Gov' of Canidas hart is naught, it is turned upside downe, but wee hold fast the
covenant chaine here in Corlars house, and with all them that are in friendship with Corlar
doe give a Belt of Wampum 14. deep

Lett the Gov'' of Cannida doe what hee will and pull as hard as hee can hee shall not break
the chain that is betwen us and Corlaer, wee will hold fast, and let us all hold the chaine of
friendship verry fast, and that will be the only means to make the Gov'' of Cauida fall upon
his left side — doe give a belt of Wampum 12. deepe.

Lett your hart be full of understanding and hearken not to any private or common discourse
of any prateing drunken Indian, butt to what shall be spoke by the Sachims, and wee will bee
careful to doe the same, doe give a Belt 10 deepe.

Now, wee have done of speaking of Civill atiliirs shall now proceed to say somewhat of
Military affairs. —

Tahajadoris there Gen' being speaker.

Wee are extream sorry for that misfortune that befell our people in not bringing ofl' Cryn &
his company prisoners here, it is a greate loss to all the Country and wee are full of griefe
quite to Tionondoge' for itt. doe give a Belt 12. deep.

The Gov' hath often told us, that wee should not trust the Gov'' of Canida, and wee have
great reason to returne a thousand thanks to his Excell : for his good advice, which wee now
doe, for wee have found it to be true, what he hath said of the French, and therefore wee take
up the Axe now and declare and denounce warr openly against them ; wee have now at

' Tlie third castle, and capital, of the Mohawk country. Sec note, ante p. 16.3. — Eu.

484 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Schennectida a Conip'' of one hundred and thirty men tluit goe out to morrow towards the Lake
of Canida to doe all the Mischeife they can against the French, and there are three Companys
out the same way, whom we expect home speedily, who forthwith shall go out againe. Doe
give a Belt 10 Deepe.

You now have heard wee have proclaimed and declared warr ag" the French Vk'hich wee
intend to pursue with all vigour, and for the better prosecution of the same wee pray your
Excell : to engage and induce as many Nations of Indians as you can to joyu in the warr ag*'
the French, and any Nation of Indians that can bee perswaded to lay downe the axe that your
Excell : will doe your endeavour to effect it that wee may have the more freedome to be revenged
of the French, and if any of those Indians newly nnited in our Covenant should be inclined
towards the French, and break a linke of the cliaine, wee must goe to the Smith and have it
mended, doe give a Belt of Wampum 10 deepe.

Answer to the Propositions

You have done very well in delivering the French prisoner, and wee are certaine, it will bee
very acceptable to his Excell*"^, intending to send him downe to New Yorke witii the first
opportunity. Wee find that the Brethren are mindful of what his Excell : hath proposed to
yon, and wee desire you to putt the other fouer Nations in minde of doeing the same, and by
noe meanes to kill the prisoners, since it is the only meanes to preserve the people that are
among the French.

You need not doubt but Corlaer will keepe the Covenant Chaine fast and firme, and
endeavour to link as many Nations in itt as possible, and will bee very glad to beare that the
Brethren are at last so united as wee here are,^ and see that you bee watchful! to purge your
people of French spyes and corrupt rotten members.

And since you are absolutely resolved to warr with the French, and defend yourselves and
Country, proceed and go on with vigour and courage and bee careful, that businesse may be
carried on with more prudence and conduct, then that of Cryn was, which certainly will vex
his Excell : exceedingly, since you were so often charged to bring him here.

You never did finde, wee were verry credulous of any common reports as sometimes the
Brethren have been and that very lately too ; and therefore when you heare any story, first
satisfy yourselfs of the truth of itt by inquiring of the Magistrates before itt bee blazed abroad.
Wee shall send downe the propositions to the Gov'' with the first [opportunity] — was given
back 75s': 10" white Wampum, for which the belts were exchanged and for a gun which was
given to Tahajadoris there General.
Examined p'' me.

Rob' Livi.vgston

' "as we lii/ar i/ow aro." Original iu Ncin-York Colonial Muniiscrijits, XXXV. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 485

Pj'oj:>o<i/fioii-9 of the Onondaija-i to the Mayor and Voinmoii CoKncil of Albany.

[Board of Trade ; New-York Papora, B. III. ]

Propositions made by the Oiiondages to the Mayor and Aldermen of tlie Citty of"
Albany the 14"" day of September An" 1GS7.

Present — Peter Schuyler Esq''" Mayor.

Dii'eck Wessels Recorder
And"' Geritse ]
Hend: Cuyler V Aldermen
Abel Ryckniann )
Robert Sandors Interpreter.

Wee heard the news tliis*spring from hence that the French would warr upon us, which
accordingly wee found to bee true, our Sachims have been here and heard His Excell""
propositions concerning our wives and children to be brought here for releife and not to stay in
our Castles and repeating the propositions, all which wee approve off very well.

Wee Onondages and some of all the Nations except the Maquasse (who have don nothing)
have been lately att Cadarachqui and gott som prisoners there, butt have scarce seen the
Maquass ; wee desire of his Excellency six great Gunns for our Fort at Onondage.

The Gov'' of Canida desyred us to come to Cadarachqui this spring to speak with him there,
but His Excell commanded us not to goe, whom wee obeyed, The Gov' desired us likewise,
to take as many French prisoners as wee could, and not to kill them, and we having received
assistance of Powder lead and amunition of his Excell"^, Wee doe now offer our thanks, full
acknowledgements and to shew our obedience to His Excel^^^ commands wee have saved the
lives of these two french Prisoners whom wee now deliver to your Excell'^'' haveing taken them
at Cadarachqui.

The GoV ordered us to look out where the French army was and where they made any
Forts, wee have found that they have a strength and Men at Cadaraghqui and also a Fort att
Onnyagaro, and since the Cayouges and Sinnekes see that the French are so powerful &
strengthen themselves by fortifications, begin to grow faint hearted, and therefore desire His
Excell"^* help and assistance ag*' the French, without which we will not be able to subsist.

His E.xcel?^ discoursed concerning the makeing of a Fort, which was proposed to be made att
Kajonhare butt wee are of opinion that itt would doe better at Sowego a place a dayes journey
from Onondage ; They doe renew the Covenant Chaiue and give a Belt of Wampum 10 deep.

Answer to the said propositions.

Wee doubt not but the Bretheren are sencible of the many favours and good advice 3'ou
receive of his Excell'^y and particularly that in adviseing you of not goeing to Cadarachqui,
which if you had, the French would have taken you all prisoners or killed you as he did the
rest of the people, you doe well to obey his Excell"^>^ commands in not killing of the French
prisoners ; wee shall acquaint the Governor with it and send the prisoners downe.

Wee shall also acquaint His Excell'^y with your request about the Great Gunns, butt wee nmst
tell you, you are not well advised in asking for Cannon, that would tend to your greater ruine
if the French should surprise you as they did the Sinnekes, for wee can assure you, that they

48G NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

intend to ruine you all if tlu'V can. The GoV^ lias receiveil a very angry letter from the Gov''
of Canada for supplying you with powder and lead and looks upon his ExrelK to he an Enemy
to his Colony and an ill Man; The Gov'' will liave the Five Nations to stick to one another &
hee will bee as good as his word and stand by the Brethren, and lett them want for nothing,
intending to be up himselfe in person early in the spring ; hee has sent up orders to send to all
the Five Nations and accordingly Keman is gon yesterday to tell them to send their wives &
Children and old Men to winter at Cattskill Rooloiie Johnsons Kill and other convenient places
along the Kiver that wee may bee able of assisting them and also to putt them strictly in minde
of their promise, not to admit of the least Proposition of peace without acquainting the Gov^
for if you and the French will alwaj's bee at the same rate they are and will cheate and Cozen
you so long till they gett you all into the snare ; and therefore be advized and let none stay in
the Castles butt such as are lit for warr ; the French are makeing great preparations of snow
shows and otherwise, and if tliej^ cannot ruine you otherwise will endeavour to do it by surprise ;
therefore, fade not to sende downe your Wives and Children ?iud old Men according to the
(}o\" order, especially since wee here, itt is a great obstruction to the ]Men that goe out a
warring, who stay att home to defend and prouide for their families, and leave no more come in
your Castles than what is just necessary for them that stay there, the rest bury itt secretly in
tlie woods, if itt bee too farr off" to bring hither, that the Enemy may not find it.

The Gov'' doth send this Gent'" Mons'' La Parre to Canida with an answer of the French
Gov"'* ^ug'7 letter ibr letting you have powder and lead to warr with the French, and has writt
to him in as much anger to demand of the French Gov' that hee restore and send back our
Christian and Indian prisoners, and to know what reason he had to invade our Brethren in the
Kings territories. The Gov' is a sending a (jent; to England to acquaint the great King of
England with the French doeings, & therefore if any Christian Indians comes to your Castles
with any propositions of peace, seize them. As for the place you propose for a fortt, wee shall
acquaint his Excell""^ with itt, butt the year being spent, nothing can bee expected to be done in
building a Fort this season, lett tlie Cajouges and Sinnekes have courage and not to be faint
hearted, they need not fear the French strength, the Gov' will stand by them and assist them if
occasion be, and your wifes and Children shall be maintained and protected. Was given back
30 g'" white string Wampum.

Albany IS"" September 1687.

Upon the receipt of Ilis Excell'^'' letters p' Marte Garrette, the said Indians accompanied with
some of the Sinnakes and Cayouges were told that His Excell'^^ was informed from Canida, that
they are makeing great preparation of snow shoes, threaten the Indians and Christians here for
giving the Indians amunition and therefore the Gov' was fully resolved to come up here and
stay all winter and would bring the Garrison and some of the Militia along with him to assist the
Brethren if occasion bee, and therefore desired a hundred Men from the Sinnekes, fifty from the
Cayouges, sixty from the Onondages, fifty from the Oneydes and forty from the Maquasse to be att
Schannectida this winter to joyne with the forces His ExcelP^ should bring up upon occasion,
since itt is to bee believed the French, if they do come & will come by the wayof Corlars Lake.

Which Message was very pli'asing and acceptable to said Indians and would return home
with joy and acquaint all tlit; Nations herewith — there being some Wampum given to be left at
each Castle as a letter about this affair.
Examined p' me.

Hob' Livingston CI.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 487

Information furnislied bij Anthony L'' Esp'umrd.

[Now- York Papers, B. II. 17.]

The iufonnation taken upon oath from Anthony L'espinard — E.xaniined the l-S"*
of Sepf before Nichokis Bayard Mayor —

In jirimis. — The said Examinant declares that about the midle of June last past, he was sent
with letters from his Excell: Govern"' Dongan to the Govern"' and Councill att Canida and that
he went thither in company of John Rosse and another Frenchman —

gndiy 'j'ljg g^.^j(j e.xaniinant saith the first place they came at in Canida was called Shamble
lyeing beyond the lake where the examinator was stopt for one day by the Commander there,
upon pretence that hee doubted the passe produced by the examinant to be false, but sent the
examinant the following day with two souldiers to MonRoyall only stopt the examinators two
companions with his canoe and goods —

3'y. The Mayor at MonRoyal alsoe alleaged the Examinators passe to be false in regard
intelligence was come from the French Ambassadonr in England that his Excell: Govern"'
Dongan was called home to bee Geuerall of the Artillery, and which also was confirmed by
Madam Nondeuill then present at MonRoyall aforesaid and after about five dayes the
Examinants companions and Canoe with the goods came also to MonRoyall only the goods
were taken by the Intendent into custody for several weekes but afterwards restored —

rj"-'. About five weekes after the Governour de Nouille came to Mou Royall and appeared to
be very much dissatisfayed saying to the Examinants, Your Governours sends you with the
Treaty from our blasters and still he supplyes contrary to your treaty the Indians that are
ennemies to the French with powder and other ammunition and gives passe to his subjects for
to usurpe the Territoryes of the French King and to treate with his Indians although his said
Excell: Govern'' Dongan had made promise to him said Nouille not to proceed or act any
further in those afiaires until further orther from his Master, or that the Hmmits should bee
settled and assertained by both Kings that those things were proceedings contrary to his word
and promise and that he was assured that Govern"' Dongan would resent very much if ]Mon*"'
De nouille should use the like measures att Schoneghted —

G"y That about three weeks after the said Examinant conieing to Mon Royall there alsoe
arrived Major Magregory with the rest of the prisoners, but this examinant was not suffered
to discourse or speake to any of them —

^tbiy. That he could not learn what Govern"' De Nouille was intended to doe with the
prisoners only heard various reports that they were to bee sent to the Caribees, Spaine,
Portugal, and France, as the English had heretofore served the subjects of the said French
King—

gthiy, That Cryne the Indian General was at Shamble when the said Examinant was determined
for this place, and that he the said Cryen pretended to goe out a hunting although he went with
a designe for this Government — That he the Examinant observed thi' sayd Cryne to l)e very
true to the French and would innnediately joyn with the French in the warr against the
Sniekes and Maques, tiiat the said Cryn and several Indyan Capt"" he saw, were in great

488 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANT'SCRTPTS.

esteem witli the French Govcrnonr and ollicers, and that they went in very nigli Christians
habitts —

ijti.iv -j^'ijg French Govcrnonr told this Exaniiuant tliat lie was not gone up witli the Army
with an intent to warr against the Sennekes but only to renue the peace between the French
and the Sennekes and that lie had stayed five dayes for their comeing and being refused he
therefore did march towards them in order to forse them to a peace, and withall to enjoyn them
not to intermedle any further in warr against the neighbouring Indians who made complaints
that they were liindred and cutt off in their hunting by the said Sinnekes —

10"''y The Examinant had heard by several reports that the French Boslilopers were called
in and had been with the Cover"" against the Sennekes and that the: beavers were all burn'd by
an accident of fyre being left by them at a further Magazeen in the further Indyans Country —

11. Tiiat the Examinant observed a great heat and desire amongst the French Officers to
war and be revenged of Sinnekes and that no peace would be accepted of, except uppon great
termes, and the Sennekes giving good hostages for their securitye —

12. That he had heard the Sennekes in their last engagement had behaved themselves as
very valliant souldiers and would have done more harm to tlie French if their powder had been
good —

13. That he had observed hardly any particular house he saw in Canida but he found in it
one or more soldiers upon the Kings pay —

(signed). Antiioine Lespinard.

Iteverend Jacques do Lamherville io Reverend Jacq^ue-s de B)'uyas.

[TRANSLATED FIIOM THE FRENCH.]
[New-York I'npcrs, 11. 9.]

4 Novem"' 1G86 arnoniogre.
My Rev. Father,

I am alone here since the 29"" of August, much grieved particularly for having, through my
neglect, allowed two adidts to die without baptism, who were altogether disposed to receive it.
Instantia (jKotidlamui. I did not expect my brother to have been so long on his journey, nor
supposed that he was so necessary there as at his mission Unguia tumn quia. I wrote by way
of the fort all that I considered prudent to write. The occasion of this [is a] friend whose
name is N., who requested me to inform you that he still has the gun of lu mictte, who is called
in Indian " ganniaton" and that he retains it to restore to him when he'll meet him again ;
also that he hath placed in security what he gave him in exchange to return it to him at their
interview. Jf you know the whereabouts of the said /a mirUe whom the Onondagas took on
liis way to reside among the Dutch, liave the goodness to communicate to him what the
friend has instructed me to write.

I let you know, briefly, what he'll l)e glad to learn ; all the Oniiondagas are on a war
expedition in the direction of liie (iierennons; they are divided into two parties; one of 50

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 4S9

wliich will not be long absent ; the other of two hundred with 50 of other tribes. The
iSenecas wanted nie to join them, and said they, themselves, wished to fight against the Tolere
tionuontatez' Ennikaragi^ and the French ; for they always imagine that others are plotting
against them.

2d. The army of 200 Senecas returns this month of September to the country of the
Omianicks,^ 500 of whom, they say, they brought away (tin) or took prisoners. Two of theirs
were killed in the foray, and 27 when the touloucs* and Illinois caught them. JN'o truce is to be
expected with the Nations in that quarter. The Senecas are to go thither either this winter
or spring with all their forces to recover the Myamicks.

;3d. Korlar spoke to the Iroquois at Menade this summer.^ He said 1" Why did you go
to treat at the fort '/ 2" Why did you kill the Hurons at lemikariagi '{ I wish them to be carried
back. 3° My nephews are going to the Tanuontatez, let 2 of each Iroquois nation .accompany
them. 4" I am about to recal the Xtians of the Sault. 5" I shall supply Blackgowns to all
the Iroquois nations on condition that those at Onondaga go away. G" Should Onontio come
to your country, hasten to advise me of it ; I'll go to him and ask him what he wants, and then
we'll see what's to be done, but do not attack nor kill him.

4th. Twenty Dutch Canoes have passed Galkonthiage quite recently, they are going to
trade with the Hurons, and are freighted principally with rum. Tliree Mohawks — Karistatsia,
his brother, and Onsugiron — accompany them, not as hired men but as traders for the Dutch ;
they have, as Korlar reconmiended, taken two of each nation with them. 30 additional canoes
are to start early in the spring from the same quarter on a voyage to the Outaouaks.

5th. Six frenchmen went to the Dutch within two months ; 4 of one party, and two of
another. Is it not possible to close the passage at Chambly as has been done here at
Onondaga ?

6th. A man named Andrew Flannaverres has gone with two others to look up the
Kekeraunon-rounons — who are, I believe, the Nj^pissings, in order to induce them to come
and live with the Iroquois. Atchinnara, a married Oneida, is employed on this mission. He
takes 4 belts and 2 blankets.

7th If my brother do not return this winter I am not certain whether I shall remain here
next spring, for I know not whether it be not better reverere spiritu quam invitumq; — spelli
quibqe qui tiendra si gidernatoo olbnus nou et esgruat uude nos amis si quider unus e nostriser
scriptit quoi nussurmani Angli vocandi sunt et Anglia qui orudiant Indos sabertes crip Anglis
quales nichil ultra scribam lui multa sint scribenda sed ergor temply et nolo
nimum scribere ne videare penasse si libera mea avalus.
deprehenderem"' unmyle noys ut nusquam obliviscaris in tuis orationbz. ■

' See note, ante p. 443. — En.

^ "In the beginning of May One thousand Seven hundred and Twenty three a Nation of Indians came to Albany,
singing and dancing, with their Calumet before them as they always do wlien they come to any ^lace where they
have not been before. * » » * Towards the end of the same Month Eighty men besides Women and Children came
to Albany in the same manner; those had one of our five Nations with them for an Interpreter by whom they Informed the
Commissioners that they were of a great Nation called Xcghkereages consisting of Six Castles and Tribes, and that they lived
near a place called by the French Misclimakinack between the Upper lake and the Lake of Hurons." New -York Council
Minutes, XIV., 395, 396 ; ColderCa Five Nations, 8vo., II., 21. In the map prefixed to the latter work, they are called, also,
Outaouaes, and occupy in that, and in Mitchell's Map of North America^ 1755, the north-west part of the present state of
Michigan. — En.

' Ouimiamies or Miamis. — Ed. * Sie. Probably intended for Outouacs. — Ed.

' September 30, 1686. Council Minutes, V., 166. — Ed.

Vol. in. 62

490 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

S' in X. addictissimis Tiii in X" serm. Idilunter Item primo efflugita a R R. P. P. nostrum
qnibus perbe salute deplurrmen milles.

Tliis letter was sent from l" Lamberville att the ( )ttowaways' to a Priest at Canada glveing
account of the Governor's propositions to the Indians att New Yorke and of tlie numbers of
the Cannoes going trade ing to Ottowawa. — -

Heverend Jaeques Lamberville to Mr. Aiitoi/ie Lefi-pinard.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[ New-Tork Papers, H. 10. ]

Sir,

Dumas' return affords me an opportunity to again thank you for the kindness you manifested
to do us a service when affairs seemed troubled and desperate. My brother, who was in Canada,
reports nothing but what is good, and found the French having no idea nor disposition for war,
which creates a hope that God will arrange matters. Had I been obliged to withdraw, it would
have afforded me great joy to have seen you. This will be when God pleases. If, however,
there be any way in which I can be of service to you, be assured that I shall willingly act in
it, as professing to be,

Sir,
Your very humble and obedient servant,

J ACQ. DE Lamberville,
4"' November, IGbG. Jesuit.

, . King James II. to Governor I)on<jan.

[ New- York Entry, H. 120. ]

James R

Trusty and well beloved wee greet you well Whereas we have received frequent informat"
from our several Colonies and Plantations in America. That instead of a due prosecution of
Pirats that have been seized either upon the High Sea or upon Land, an unwarrantable Practice
hath been carried on to bring them, immediately to their Tryalls before any evidence could bee
produced against them, and that such other methods of like nature have been used, whereby the
most notorious Pirats have as it is well known either by the facility or Partiallity of the Juries
been acquitted for the Crimes whereof they stood accused, and so permitted with their Shipps
and confederates to continue their accustomed Piracies to the great detriment of Trade @
Prejudice of our good brother the Catholick King and our other allies. Wee being therefore

' Onoudngoea. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 491

willing to put an end to such evill practices @ to cause the most severe and inipartiall Prosecutions
to bee had against a sort of people who are see destructive of humane society and commerce.
We have thought fitt to take this matter into our most serious consideration and amongst other
necessary provisions for the suppressig of Pirattes Wee doe hereby strictly charge and require
you and all our officers and loving subjects under your Goverm' to take all possible care and
use all due means to seize and apprehend all Pirats and Sea Rovers the confederates @
accomplices, with their Sliipps Goods @ Plunder, @ the said Pirattes and accomplices to cause
to bee streightly imprisoned and kept in safe custody with their Shipps, Goods @ Plunder, until
our Royal Pleasure shall be known concerning their being respectively Prosecuted such Pirattes
and Privateers their confederates @ accomplices only excepted who shall lay hold of and deserve
our Gracious Pardon in pursuance of our declaration direct"" to S"' Robert Holms, our sole
2. Lib piantaiions commissiouer in that behalf bearing date the 2P' day of August last a copy whereof
mGreaii voi.i.p.9. ^^^ g^^^^j ^^^ hcreuuto annexed for your luformation and wee doe further strictly
charge and require you not to grant any pardon unto such Pirats or Sea Rovers upon auv
pretence whatsoever nor to permitt them to be brought to Tryall — untill upou signification
of their crimes to us, or upon the arrival of the said S'' Robert Holms — Time and opportunity
may bee allowed to all concerned for the bringing of evidence against such Malefactors from the
Parts or Places where the Piracies or Robberies have been committed and that wee shall have
given you such necessary orders for their Prosecutions @ Tryalls as to Law shall appertain, @
most etlectually conduce to the suppressing of Pirats @ Privateers in America. Given at our
Court at Whitehall the 13"' day of October 16S7 In the Third year of our Reign
By His Ma" Command

Sunderland P

King James II. to Governor Dongan.

[New-York Entry, II. 123.]

James R

Trusty and well beloved Wee greet you well whereas a wreck has been lately discovered
near the Coast of Hispaniola from whence a considerable quantity of Silver @ other Treasure
hath been taken up @ carried to Divers parts of our Dominions in America by severall of our
subjects there who continue to search for @ take up Silver @ other Treasure from the said
Wreck, And one full moiety of all Treasure @ riches taken upon, out of, or from the Sea being
by ancient ordinances of the Admiralty due unto us as Lord High Admirall according to the
report on certificate of our Judge of our High Court of Admiralty @ Judge Advocate, Wee
doe therefore hereby strictly charge @ require you @ all other officers under your Governm' to
take care that one moiety or Half Part of all Plate, Silver, Gold, or Treasure of any kind
taken up out of the said Wreck near Hispaniola, or from any other Wreck whatsoever, which
hath lately been brought or shall bee brought into the Plantation under your Government bee
duly recovered @ Received for our use without admitting of any excuse or Pretence what soever
either of paying our Tenths, or of any Contract, Commission or Order from any Person or

492 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Persons under Colour of Lres Patents or any other Crant fro)n Us We haveing reserved all
matters of Dispute in that behalf unto our Royall Determination : And of your Proceedings
herein you are from time to time to give an account unto the Commissioners of our Treasury
to the end you may receive our further directions for the Disposalls of all such Treasure @
Kiches as shall bee recovered and received by you in Riglit of our Admiralty as aforesaid And
soe Wee bid you Farvvell. From our Court at Whitehall this 22^ day of October 1GS7. In
tlie Third year of Our Ileign

By His iMaty' Command

Sunderland P

Oooernor Donga n to llw Kiiuj.

[New -Turk Papers, I. «!•. ] ' '

IVIay it pleas Your Majestie.

Since Judge Palmer went away I received a letter from the Earle of TyrConell, wherein he
letts me know tiiat it will be requisite lor your Majesty's service that [ goe home.

I humbly beg your Majestie not to reguard tlie advantage I may have by staying here for I
had rather been in any station wherein I might serve your Majestie Thau in an other j)lace
where I could gett millions.

Therefore I desire you, S% in case this difference here between Your Majesties Subjects and
tlie tfrencli, can be ended at home, and that your Majestie thinks me fitter for your service there
than I am in these partes, that your Majesty will please to lay your comands on tlie Secretary
to send me Orders, it being in my instructions not to stir out of the (ioverment without leave.

1 humbly beg Your Majestie to see the state of this Your province, which 1 have sent to tlit;
Lords of Your Maj"''' treasury, wiiere your Majestie will find I am much in debt with the
people here, and your Majestie to me, and no ways left for paying itt if Connetticutt be not
joyned to this Coverment, which your Majestie will otherwise be continually out of purse to
meintein and who ever comes after me will certainly runn your Majestie more in debt, I haveing
managed your Majesties Revenue to the greatest advantage and with all tiie good husbandly
imaginable. Yet I had not owed so much to the people here, if M'' Santen the late Collector
had not Embezeled three thousand pounds of the Revenue.

Tf it be your Majesties pleasure that I be sent for I humbly desire your Maj''" that S''
]5enjamin Bathurst may have three thousand live hundred pounds delivered him, (o be remitted
hither, which I beleive will satisfy all y^ Debts ] have bin forced to contract iiere.

S"" I humbly beg your Majesty to pardon the Presumption of this letter, being,

Your Majestys, most dutifull,

most obedient and most humble Servant,

'i'lio: DoNfiAN

New Yorke October 21"' 1GS7.

Reed y" 22'' Jan. IGSJ.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 493

Ah-s-tract of Mr. Santeri'-s Mdinoranda and of Governor Dongan\s Answer.

[ New-York Papers, I. 490. ]

Abstract of ^r Santen's Memorand™ for Abstract of Coll. Dongan's Answer,

a charge against Coll. Dongan

1. That Coll. Dongan endeavoured to engage 1. Coll Dongan referrs himself to the Certifi-
the complainant with himself Gabriel IMinviell cate of AP t^prag and AF Minviell, who certities
and others in a Trade directly to France. that Coll. Dongan never made any such pro-

posall to them. v. Certijicatc.

2. That he would have engaged the Com- 2. He refers to the Certificat of Major
plainant with him in a Trade to Newfoundland Broholls who certifies that Coll Dongan never
and commanded him to lend 160" of the Kings was in Copartners with him in a Trade to
mony to Maj' Anthill and Major Broholls and Newfoundland that 100" of that mony was for
Partners in a Sloop they sent thither which M'' Spragg and 60" for Maj'' Broholls who has
returned with brandy & European Goods con- accounted to the Governor for it.

trary to the Act of Navigation.

3. That he stopt sev" vessels bound for the 3. Referr'd to the certificate of W"" Beakman
Wreck belonging to Frederick Phillips and who certified that Coll. Dongan never exacted
William Beakman till they gave him shares in or required any such thing of him, and Coll.
the said ships. Dongan alledges he stopt them till they gave

security.

4. He is charged with a Copartnership with He was never concerned in Copartnersliip
AP Anthill in a V'essell to Jamaica no way with M'' Anthil but he lent mony to a yoimg
tending to His Ma" advantage. man who was partner with M' Anthil and took

the ship for his security till tiie return of the
voyage.
•5. That lie received to his own use the The Ship was Dutch taken from a Privateer,
King's share of W™Beakman's ship condemned, by S' W™ Stapleton's Commission who gave
pretending to have disciiarged the said ship. Beakman the Kings share and he had her
. .. condemned at New York to make her free and

paid Coll Dongan 33" 6' S"* or one S"* part of
the said condemnation as by certificat ajipears.
G. That he made the appraisers undervalue Denied,
the sloop Lanhater and Cargo condemned.

7. That he ordered the L"* Neal Campbell's 7. Gave a bill of store for the 10 p"" 11 But does
Goods to be entred without examining and by not rember He ordered the Goods to be entred
store gave him 10 p"' 11. without examining.

8. That the King's Officer was stabb'd by a 8. That Vaughton recovering of the wound the
Scotchman as he was seizing goods at Aiuboy, Scotchman was releas'd at his Intercession and
whereof the Scotchman was acquitted and his being upon charity, upon his petition Iiis goods
Goods restored Custom free to the discourage- being a small parcell of Liimen were restored
ment of his Ma" Officers. he paying all charges.

9. That Coll. Dongan ordered a charge to be D. The Sherifis took no other notice of M"" San-
drawn up against the Complainant for issuing ten's Warr" then to send thcni to Coll Dongan

494

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Memorand""

warrants as Collector to the Sheriffs for Receiv-
ing Quit Rents and Arrearages Judge Palmer
liaving giuen his opinion that the Lord Treasu-
rer's letter and lustruccous were not sufficient
to impower him to issue Warr" for the same.

10. That he discourages the King's Officers
being not willing to give them sufficient allow-
ances viz. to Francis Barber of Staten Island
for looking after the Excise there, worth IG" he
allows but IG' for himself and horses.

11. That the Complainant lett tlie Excise of
King and queen's county to M' White and
others for 30" per ann. and that offering butt
3" 10 for the Governor's license Coll. Dongan
ordered a connnission to M"' Vaughan and M""
NichoUs to collect tiie same and M"' Santen to
advance G" to them and when they brought
their acco' it amounted to 45" for one year and
10" for the Governor's license and Coll. Dongan
gave them the 45" for the collecting without
allowing the G" advanced by M"' Santen.

12. Richard Pretty Surveyor of Albany dis-
charged from his place without M"" Santen's
knowledge and one Shaw put in in Satisfacon
of Salary due to him tiiere being nothing
alledged against Pretty.

13. That by his influence on tlie Councill,
M' Smith, M" Santen's deputy, was laid aside
without cause.

14. Tliat he sold the pasture of Albany
which did always belong to the Chief Officer
of the Fort and Pasture for 700" of which
Judge Palmer and James Graham bad 50" each
for their advice.

15. That be gave Judge Palmer lands be-
longing to the King at East Jersey which Pal-
mer sold to Caspar Stcimett for 250"

Answer.

who thereupon called M' Santen before the
Councill where his Answer was that the Lord
Treasurer did so in England.

10. Referr'd to the Audit.

11. That there was no offer made for the Go-
vernor's licence nor badd Coll. Dongan 10" as
is alledged, but he did agree v\'itb Vaughan and
Nicolls for 10" each for collecting the said Ex-
cise.

And W™ Nichols certifies that neither he nor
to his knowledge M' Vaughton never paid hi.s
Excellency mony for Licences nor made any
agreement so to do.

12. Pretty was Sheriff of the County and
could not attend and Shaw was Surveyor in S"^
Edm. Andross' time and it is said he behaved
himself well, but the allegation that salary was
due to him is untrue, as appears by the Testi-
mony Maj"' Baxter, Coker and others and the
receipt under Shaw's hand.

13. Coll. Dongan has already given an Acco'
why Smith was tuni'd out.

14. That upon passing of the patent for Al-
bany, this land, bring about 15 or IG acres,
was contained in their Patent, for which they
did not pay 700" as is alledged but pronused
300" in lieu of the established fee for the whole
which is 10" for every house and the like for
every hundred acres.

15. This farm paid but 10" per ann. wrack
Rent and was claimed by the Proprietors of
East Jersey, so tluit it was past to Judge Pal-
mer for bis obligation to pay a fine of 60" and
20" p" ann and to defend the ICing's title.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V.

495

Memorand™

16. That the Rockway neck possessed by
the Inhabitants of Hempstead for 30 years was
granted to Judge Pahner and they forced to
submitt he being Judge.

17. That James Graham Attorney General
hath induced the Gov'' to hay oppressions upon
the Inhabitants in a manner insupportable con-
straining them to bring in their old Patents to
take new, Exacting sums of mony for himself
and the Governor viz. from ftr Ranslaw 200"
from the town of Hempstead 100" From the
Citty of York 300"

18. That being recorded he prevailed with
the Governor to give the Citty all waste ground
to the Damage of the Inhabitants.

Answer.

10. The Surveyor accompanied with the
Inhabitants of Hempstead having surveyed it
made return that tiiis land was not within the
bounds of Hempstead whereupon it was granted
by Patent to Judge Palmer who upon suit with
y' Inhabitants of Hempstead withdrew himself
leaving the managem' of the Court to Judge
Nichols.

By the old Patents there was no
acknowledgm' to the King wherefore without
the least murmur they have Renewed their
Patents with a Reservation of Quit Rents to
the King.

That he received 200" from Ranslaw in lieu
of his Perquisits.

From Hempstead 60" in Cattle.

From New York 300"

IS. The wast Land granted to the Town is
a Dock which at their own charge they got
from the sea.

Abstract of Articles against Mr. Santen with the Proofs., ami Mr. Saiite)i\s Answer

with Memoranda.

Abstract of Art : ags' M'
Santen

1 That contrary to his com-
mission and Instructions he
hath commissionated under
officers for y^ Customs and hath
employed his own Servants in
such offices as should have been
a cheque upon him

2 That being unfitt to exe-
cute his office he has managed
it by a Deputy who has brought

[New-York Entry, II. 180.]

Abstracts of Proofs ag" M"'
Santen

Abstract of M'' Santens An-
swer

1 John Smith his Deputy @ 1 That the Officers were
Book Keep' is Surveyor, John approved by the Governor and
Harlow brought out of England, most of them recommended by
by M'' Santen @ sent by him him

into England on his occasions
is Searcher @ Land Wayter
V. Charge brfore Couticill Art.
2. 4' 14. V. Ansiver to Enqui-
ries Page. 82

2 V. Charge Art : 17. 2 Denied

496

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Articles

the acc-ompts into such Disorder
lliat noe computacion cau be
made of the Revenue

8 That hee liath not made
distinct Entries of Goods im-
ported @ exported with the
Names of the Persons, ships
and Masters, as by the act for
Establishing the Revenue is
Prescribed, nor kept exact Accts
of mony received

4 That contrary to tiie said
Act he has permitted I\rcliants
to enter in Gross

5 That contrary to his
Instructions he has trusted sev'
psoiis for Custom

0 That contrary to his
Instructions he hath granted
Bills of Store for divers Parcells
of Goods

7 That contrary to order
he permitted a Parcell of
Elephants Teeth @ other Mer-
chandize to be shi]>ped on board
the ship Beaver l)ciiig suspected
to be brouii;lit from Africa

Pkoofs

3 The Books contain only
Duplicates of Promiscuous
Entries V. Ch. An. 3''

Answer

3 Denied.

4 Appears by the Books No.
1. fol. 7. 26. 57. GO. 64. 99. 101.
102. 106. 116. 121. 122. 123.
142. No. 3. fol 9. 33. 35. 40.
41. 42. 46. 48. 52. 61. 64. 72.
r. Ch : Art 4

5 He delivered to the Gov""
a List of Debts amounting to
874" 12' the' many of them
were found by the auditors to
have been rec'' by him T. Cha.
Art. 56

6 By his answer before the
Governm' & Council pag 16. he
has acknowl"* to have granted
Bills of Store to the Value of
49" 15' ll** and it appears by
the Books No. 1. fol. 14. 144.
No. 2. fo. 17. to 163. No. 3 fol.
4 to 124

7 The Governor ordered the
goods should remain in the
Kings Warehouse til security
was given to answer the
Demands of the Royall Com-
pany V. Cha: Art: 10:

4 Referred to the Books ol
Entries.

5 That the Governor desired
him to Give [trust] to one
Drano and severall others who
threatened to carry their Goods
to East Jersey

6 That the Bills of Store for
Three years last past amount''
to only 49" odd mony which
was mostly to Masters of Ships

7 That the Govern™ gave
order that the Master should
give security or that the Goods
should be shipped oft" in some
shipp bound for England which
was accordingly done in the
Ship Beaver for London of
which Notice was given to the
African Company by a Lre to
S' Ben : Bathurst that before
the shipp was entred the master
@ four of the marriners made
oath they had not traded within

LONDON DOCUMENTS:

497

Articles

Proofs

S That he caused Goods to 8 Tlie Order is dated 16">
be shipped by his verbal order Sepf 86 he is directed to suffer
contrary to an Act of Council no goods to be shipp"* without

his Warrant or his Deputys
V. Ch. Art: 16.

9 He omitted to take bonds
of the Master of the New York
Pink who carried of sev' Ele-
phants Teeth w"" out Entry

10 That Contrary to order
he has not taken security of the
Wayters of the Custom House

11 That he has refused to
render due acc'^ of the Customs
and Excises in contempt of sev'
orders in Councill of 20 Sep.
7. 25 Oct. 1 & 15 Nov 1686

12 That he refused to de-
liver his accts to the Governor,
for two years and then only
brought in Copies of Entries
but no Account

13 That being found by the
Audit of his first Accts a very
considerable Debtor to his Mat^
he was ordered to bring in a
Weekly accompt of the Cus-
toms which he has neglect** @
refused to do

14 He has refused to bring
in what he was indebted to the
King

10 V: Ch: Art: 21

11 F; Ch: Art:2Q

12 V. Ch: Art:2Q

13 V: Ch: Art: 21

14 V: Ch: Art : 22

15 He has taken a greater 15 By iiis commission he is
Salary than his commission allowed 200" p'' an. the same
doth allow him, and has given which was in S" Edmund An-
large Salarys to his Servants dros's time of which 100" p''
without any Establishment or an. is for under officers M' San-
order ten charges for his own Salary

SOO" for 3 years at 200" p' an.

Vol. in. G3

Answers

the Charters of the Royall Com-
pany or East India Company.

8 An open Boat bound for
long Island was entred but the
Warr"* not given out : and the
Goods proving according to the
Warrant liee ordered the Boat
to be dismist

9

10 It was not usual to take
Bond of the under officers

11 Referred to his Acconipts

12 He never refused but that
after a long Fitt of Sickness
His Excellency forced him to
bring the Warrants and books
before he could peruse them

13 That it is impossible to
give a weekly accompt of tlie
Revenue @the Disbiu'sements
That by the Lord Treasurers
Instructions Six Weeks arc
allowed and tlie Accompts are
to be sent to M' Blathwayt.

14 The difference touching
Salary to himself and the under
Officers referred to his Mat^ tiie
accompts being before my Lord
Treasurer

15 Referred to his Matys
Determination

498 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Articles riiooFS Answer

and for the Land- Way ter &
Searcher 100' p'" Ann. for his
Deputy 50" for an ace" 40'' for
transcribing Books 30" for liis
Deputies Diet 20" for a wayter
20" for Harlow's employment
■ : in the Kings service @ for his

Diet 20" for two Voyages by
Harlow into England 1G2 and
being ordered to allow 12" in
the pound to the Collector at
Albany he has charged 50" p"'
ann. Ai/s'' Ui J mi: V. 46 V. Ch:
An : 2:3
IG That he hath been ne- 1<") There is no ace" for the Denied
gligent in collecting the Excise. Excise of the County of Rich-
mond nor West Chester, but
M' Santen says he has bond for • '
niony payable in March 16Sf
but the man is worth nothing.
^■iiis. /o enquiries P. 34.

The Collector of Esopus had
not accomptcd in 3 years @
Coll Dongan bringing him to
accompt hee did it confusedly
for ah' 200" only pretending the
Acct' were burnt @ that County
is now lett 110" T\ Ans. to Iiuf
21. 33 Long Island was worth
52" P. an. @ he refers to the ■

Audit for y' present value Ans.
to Inq: P 34. And for y'' E.
End of Long Island P 35. And
lor y acct of Dukes County &
Cornwall p- =»> ^'- *~'f'- -i'' ■ '*
17 That he has kept no dis- 17 l'. C/i. Art: 12. 17 Referred to M'-Blalhwayt

tinct account of the Revenue of
each County

IS That in Marcii 1GS5 he is Api)enrs by his letter to IS It is placed to the Deputy
received the Excise at N York Ifob' Livingstone sub-Collector ('ollcctors Account
for 115 Gallons of Rum sent to at Albany dat 10. March IG
Albany. Ordering y'' Collector ?'.(,'//. .//Y: 5
there to pass it without guag-
ing @ gave the King 110 Cre-
dit for the money

h^->.

LONDON DOCUMENTS

499

Articles

19 Tliat hee sent a Hogs
head of Rum to Albany with-
out making Entry or Paying
duty

20 That hee has neglectd to
receive the Duty of 10. P. Cent,
due by Act of Assembly from
Indian Traders

21 That hee has concealed
several sums of mony or Goods
Collected for the Quittrents

I'

Answer

22 That he scandalized the
Court of Exchequer and con-
trary to his oath as Councilor
absented himself when the
Kings Concerns were debated
and he was required to attend
there.

23 That hee has openly
vilyfied and reproach** the Gov-
ernor saying iiis Commission
was as good as his, that he was
not accomptable to him but to
the King and Lord Treasurer

24 That he sent Messages to
the Governor telling him it was
not such pityful fellows as were
about him that he was seeking
to Ruin but it was at y* Head
itself that he was striking

19 Acknowledged by him 19 Tliat hee sent it f(
pretending it w^as for his own Returns
use V. Cha. Art. 2o

20 By the Books noe Credit
is given for Indian Traders in
New York Long Island Rich-
mond & W Chester. V. Ch. Art 8

21 Severall Porters swear
that by Capt" Santen's order
they measured 400. Shippells
of Wheat @ 99 Bushells @ 3
Quarters out of the Kings Gra-
nary for which there is no creditt
in y Books. By his answer
before y* Council page 9. he
acknowledges to have rec'd 4"
@ 4 Bushells of wheat with
well he says hee acquainted
Coll Dongan as also some Corn
delivered tor the Governor's use

r. Cha. Art. 13.

22 r. Cha. Art. 30

23 V. Ch. Art. 32

24 V. Cha. Art. 33

20 INP (Iraham was against
the Bill to make Indian Goods
pay that Duty at the first land-
ing

21 Thee Governor has re-
ceived all Rents except for
Stenits Farm and some Wheat
delivered by tiie Governors
orders and to his use

22 Denied

24 Tliat upon some words
arising upon a Heizure dis-
charged by the Governor His
Excellency pusht at the Re-
spondent with his Cane upon
which in liis Passion he might
utter some extravagant words
for which he begs his Excellen-
cy's Pardon

500 . NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Articles Proofs Answer

25 Thatin his answer before 25 V. his answer Art V^ and 25
the Council, he has treat'' the the order of Siisj^iensio/i.
Kings attorney with the name
of Scandalous Libeller for
exhibiting a charge ag" him
according to his Duty

Mem"

After hearing M"" Santen in the Treaiy Chambers, and the stating his Accompts there it was
agreed that he should assign to his Maf all such Debts as were owing to him in New York.
And tiie following connuission was grantd to INI'' Mathew I'lowman to be Collector of N York :

Commission of James the Second by the Grace of God, King of England Scotland France @

„,a'n."'Lw-Ynrk Ireland Defender of the Faith &c to all to whom these Presents shall come
Greeting. Whereas by an Instrument made under our hand and Seale bearing
date the 17''' day of Febry in the year of our Lord Christ 16S2. Wee did by the name
of James Duke of York appoint Lucas Santen Gent" Collector @ Receiver of New York
@ its Dependencies to collect @ receive all @ all manner of Duties, dues @ Revenues
wiiich should grow due to us, for Customs, P^xcise, Quitt rents or by any other manner
or way whatsoever. To hold the said Place with the Fee @ Salary of i"200. P. ann. out
of our Revenue of N York or in default thereof l)y our Treasurer or Receiver General for
) '■ time being during oin- Pleasure as by the said lustrum' may appear. Now Know Yee
That we have revoked, Determined @ made void and by these Presents do revoke, determin
and make void the Instrument @ writing before recited and all powers @ autlioritys therein
mentioned or thereby granted to the said Lucas Santen and know ye further that Wee reposing
especial Trust @ Confidence in the ability, care, @ Fidelity of our Trusty @ Well beloved
Matt Plowman Gentleman of our especiall Grace, certen knowledge, @ meer motion Have
ordained constituted and appointed and by tliese Presents doe ordain, constitute and appoint
Jiim tiie said Mathew Plowman in the Room @ Place of the said Lucas Santen our Collector @
Receiver of New York and its Dependancies in America @ [to] Levy Collect @ receive all and
all manner of duties. Dues @ Revenues which shall there from time to time grow due to us for
CJustoms, Excise, Quitt Rents or by any other manner or way wJiatsoever. And for tlie care
and Pains of the said ]\Iatthew I'lowman in @ about the execution of the said oflice @
Imployment — Wee have given ©granted @ by these presents doe give and grant unto the
said INIiitthew Plowman the Fee or Salary of Two hundred pounds P. ann. of Lawful English
mony out of our Revenue of N York aforesaid to be retained in his own hands or in default
thereof out of any otlier our Revenue or Treasure (Quarterly at the Feasts of the Birth of our
J.ord Christ the annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary the nativity of St John Baptist @ St
Michel the Arch Angel by even @ equal Portions. The first payment thereof to commence
from tilt! Feast of St Michel the Arch Angel now last past. To Have, hold, exercise and enjoy
the said ollice @ employment @ to receive @ take the said Fee or Salary 200" P. an. and all
other ProfHtts and advantages to the said oflice belonging unto y'' said Matthew Plowman for @
(luring Gur Pleasure in as ample manner as the said Lucas Santen hath held @ enjoyed or
might or ougiit to have held or enjoyed the same. And lastly we do hereby authorize and

LONDON DOCUMENTS : V. 501

require all officers and ministers whom it shall or may concern to make allowance of the said
Salary of 200" P. ann. to tlie said Matthew Plowman according to the true intent and meaning
of these Presents without any further Warrant or Direction in that behalf. In Witness whereof
wee have caused these our Letters to made Patents Witness our self at Westminster the 4"'
day of Nov. In the third year of our Reign

By writt of Privy Seal

TilEVER DaULINGE

lihstnictions to Matthew Plowman.

[ Ne-w-Vork Entry, II. 14ii.]

Instructions for our Trust}' @ Webelov'd Matthew I'lownian, Esq''"' Our Collecf
and Receiver of our Revenue on our Province of N York and the Territories
depending thereon in America

\ViiiiREAS by our commission bearing date the l"" day of Nov IfiS? Wee have thouglit lilt to
constitute @ appoint you the said Matthew Plowman to bee our Collector & Receiver of all our
Revenues in the Province of N York @ the Territories depending thereon in America, you are
to fitt yourself with all convenient speed @ to repair to our said Province

And being there arrived, you are carefully and diligently from time to time, to gather, collect,
@ receive, all Rents, Quitt Rents, Duties, Customs, Excise, Escheats, Fines, Forfeitures, and
Impositions whatsoever arising or becoming due to us or Our Government within our said I'rovince.

And for the better collecting and receiving of all rates. Customs @ Duties arising @ payable
unto us upon Goods Imported or exported out of the said Province, you are to make @ keep
perfect @ distinct Entries of all Goods, imported @ exported of all monies or value of mony
by you received for the Customs of all Goods & Merchandizes, as well Forreign Goods imported
to N York or to any Parts within the River or Channell of New York or Iludsons River, as
Goods of the Country which shall be brought hither together with the names of the respective
P''sons from whom you shall receive the same

You shall not give Credit to or trust any Merch"^ or any other Persons in the forbearance of
ready mony or Goods in lieu thereof in payment of those Customs but shall receive all Customs
upon passing Entries, unless in such cases where you shall receive positive directions from our
Governor in Chief under his hands in that behalf and you are to take especial care that all the
said Customs both in and out be received in money or Goods ad Valorem in such manner as
formerly hath been accustomed in that our Province, takeing care to dispose of the said Goods
so as may be best for our advantage by Direction of Our Governor or Commander in Chief

You shall not grant any Bill of Sight or Sufferance for the landing of any Goods or
Merchandizes but only to such Persons who shall make oath before our Governor in chief or
or whom he shall appoint to receive, the same, that they have neither Invoice, Lettei- or other
advice, whereby to make known the true content of such Goods, for which they desire such
bill of sight or sufferance unless all the Goods shall be brought into our W^arehouse

And in Case of any Difference arising t'wixt yourself or other your Inferiour Officers @ the

502 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCIUPTS.

Merchant or Trader, upon acct' of Collecting our Customs or estimating the value thereof, such
Difference shall he determined hy the ordinary Magistrates of the Place or otherwise as hath
heen hitherto accustomed

Vou shall not directly nor indirectly either in your own name or the name or names of
any other Person or Persons or in any Company or Partnership with any other Trade as a
merchant ibr yourself or as a Factor or Agent for any other in or for any goods. Wares or
Merchandi7A\s whatsoever

And Whereas we have formerly directed that all Shipps @ Vessels coming within or passing
up the River or Channell of N York or Hudson's River should he obliged to make entries of
their Lading at our Citty @ Port of N. York, you are never the less to permitt all shipps @
vessels bound for N Perth in our Colony of East N Jersey to go directly thither w'thout toucliing
at N York or being carried tliither until further order, Provided always that the Government of
East-New-Jersey do suffer such Person or Persons as sliall he appointed by the Governor in
Chief of our said Province of New York or yourself peaceably @ quietly to receive @ collect
for our use the same Customs @ Imposts as are usually paid at New York for such Shipps and
their lading.

You shall constantly make @ give to our Gov' or Commander in chief of New York for the
time being and to our Trusty and well beloved Will Dlathwayt our Surveyor Auditor General
of our Revenues in America @ his Deputy a just («) true acct of all such Duties, monies or
Goods Rents or Imposts soe to he by you receiv'ed or otherwise accruing mito us within our said
Province @ of your issuing the same as often as he or they shall demand the same and you
shall duly answer and pay all such summs as shall at any time be remtiining in your Hands to
such Person or Persons to whom the same shall be ordered by the Warrant of writing of our
said Governor in chief @ not otherwise upon any acct whatsoever

You shall likewise carefull}- transmitt unto the said William lUathwayt Esq" every six months
or oftner a fiir State @ distinct ace' exainined by his Deputy (with the particular vouchers) of
all Rents, Revenues, Customs, Excise, Prizes, Fines, Forfeitures, Escheats, Seizures, Duties @
Profitts whatsoever accruing to us @ our Government in New York @ of all moneys and value
of moneys rec'' and issued by you pursuant to the orders and Warrants of our Governor in
Chief as aforesaid and of all arrears due unto us togetiier with the names habitations and Settle-
ments of all such Persons as shall remain in arrear of their payments as also Duplicats of tiie
said Accts @ Papers by the next opportunity in order to bee examined by him and presented to
the commissioners of our Treary or High Trear for the time being for their approbation or
Disallowance of the Particulars therein contained according to the course @ Practice in y" like
cases within our Kingdom of England and in order to receive their Directions from time to time
for the Improvement of our said Revenue

And to the end you may make @ return a Pfect ace" of all receipts and Paym'^ you are to
keep distinct @ Pfect Entries of the Particular Branches of our Itevenue in Severall Books to
be provided @ kept by you for that purpose. And so transmitt unto y' said William Blathwayt
a particular Catalogue or Ledger Book of all such P(!rsons as are answerable to us for any Rents
or other Payments whatsoever by reason of any Lands held by them of the Crown or hy
Yertue of any other Concession or obligation whatsoe\cr as also the particular Sums or \'alue
of money for which such Persons stand charged and shall be indebted to us from time to time
together with copies of all Laws and Publick Acts, concerning our Revenue in that our Province
And you are likewise every six months to transmitt as atbresaid a Catalogue of Entries of all

LONDON DOCUMENTS: V. 5():3

Goods or Commodities imported or Exported togetiier with the names of the Sliipps @ ace' of
their Burthen, Gunns, and men and names of the masters @ whether bound and Generally you
are to keep a constant correspondence with our said Surveyor @ Auditor Generall touching
our Revenue there @ to send unto him by all opportunities all such Informations as shall occur
to you relating thereunto

Lastly and in regard it may happen that there may be some things which cannot be so well
foreseen here, as observed by our Governor there, when you shall be upon the place, you are
therefore to observe and follow such further Rules @ Directions as you shall from time to time
receive from him for the managing collecting & accompting of @ for Our Said Revenue, provided
the same be not contrary to the orders @ Directions given unto you or to be given by us or the
Commissioners of our Treary or High Trear for the time being. Given at our Court at Whitehall
this 13"' day of December 16S7 In the third year of our Reign
By his Maty' Command

SUNDERLAXD P

Warrant auf/iorh/ng frovenior I>(>nijaiL to prated tJie Five Nation--,:

[N\-n-T..rk Entry. H. 163.]

Trusty @ well beloved w^ee greet you well. Wee have been made acquainted by our Letter
to our right Trusty @ right well beloved cousin @ Councilor Robert Earle of Sunderland
President of our council and our Principal Secretary of State dated the S"" day of Sepf last past,
and by our Papers transmitted by you with the late attempt that has been made by the French
upon the Five Nations or Cantons of Indians, who from all times have submitted themselves to
our Government and by their aclvuowledgements of our Sovereignty are become our Subjects as
also with the injurious proceedings of the French in surprising and detaining in Canada, divers
of our subjects, as well Indians, as others, Wee do therefore think fitt that upon receipt
hereof you forthwith demand from the Governor of Canada, the setting at liberty our said
Subjects as well Indians as others surprised by them in the lawfull prosecution of their I'rade
together with the restitucon of their Goods, and eifects: And as wee are sensible of what
great prejudice it may be to us, and our Subjects, if any Incroachnient be allowed on our
Dominions or the French permitted to invade our Territories or to annoy our subjects without
a due care in us to preserve the Peace of our Government, and to give all due protection to
such as have brought themselves under our Subjection: W^ee do therefore hereby charge @
require you, to give notice at the same time to the said Governor of Canada, that upon mature
consideration we have thought iitt to own the five nations or Cantons of Indians, viz' The
Maquaes, Senecas, Cayouges, Oueydes, and Onondagues, as our Subjects, and resolve to protect
them as such, so as nevertheless upon Information of any Injury ottered, or which shall he
offered or done by them to any of the subjects of our good brother the most Christian King, to
cause as we do hereby direct you, to cause entire satisfaction to be made for y" same, and Ihe
Indians vidth held from disturbing the French in any manner whatsoever Provided they do
abstain on their parts from making Warr upon these Indians our Subjects or doing them any

504 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

injury. And in case the People of Canada shall notwithstanding this Declaration persevere in
invading our Dominions and annoying those Indians you are with the utmost of your power to
defend and protect them, and if need shall require to levy, Arm, and employ all persons
residing within your Governm' in the resisting @ withstanding the Invasion or attempts of the
French, and them if there shall be occasion to pursue in, or, out of the limits of your said
Governm' and to do and execute all and every other thing which you shall find necessary for
the protecting our sidyects and preserving our Rights in these Parts, and for the better
performance thereof. We do hereby give you full power @ authority to erect and build such
Forts Castles @ Platforms and in such Place or Places as to you shall seem requisite for this
service, and in Case it shall happen that upon this occasion the Ayde or Assistance of our
iiciglibouring Colonies may be usefull, you are to give notice thereof to our Sev" Governors @
Proprietors in any of our Plantacons upon the continent of America, to whom we have already
sent orders to afford you such help as the Exigency shall require : And for so doing this shall
be your Warrant Given at our Court at Whitehall the 10"' day of November 1GS7 in the third
year of our Reign

By his Mat-' command

Order to Governor Dongnn for the Cesmtion of Ilo-d'ditie-'^.

[Xow-York Entry, H. 179.]

Trusty and Wellbeloved Wee greet you well Whereas for the composing of seuerall disputes
and Differences that have arisen between our Subjects and the Subjects of our good Brother
the most Christian King in America and for the preventing further occasions of controversy in
those Parts Wee have lately thought fitt to constitute and appoint Commissioners to treat with
the Commissioners appointed by our said good brother the most Christian King for the purpose
aforesaid, as also to settle and determine the Bounds and Limits of the Colonies Islands
& Territories within our respective Dominions or Depending on us in America for tiie
accomplishment whereof a further time will be requisite in regard of the distance of those
places, from whence the necessary Informations are to be received. We have therefore
authorized and impovvered our said Commissioners to sign and seal an Instrument with the
Comm"'" of the most Christian King for the preventing of all Acts of Hostility or violent
proceeding between our respective subjects, a copy whereof is herewith sent to you. And we
do accordingly expect from you, a conformity to our Directions herein by avoiding all occasions
of misunderstanding between our subjects @ those of the most Christian King without
j)ermitting any hurt to be done them in their Persons or Estates until the Atb day of Jan'">'
168^ and after that time until we shall send you New Orders Jhder our Sign Manual, It being
our pleasure that you entertain a good correspondauce with the Governors and Officers of the
said King in those Parts, and take cart^ that no just complaint Ix^ brought unto us against you
in that behalf And so wee bid you Farewell. J-'rom our Court at Whitehall tiiis 2-2"'' day of
January 1687 in the third year of our Reign.

By His Ma''' Command

Sunderland P.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VT. 505

Initrummt for 'prevtrdlnrj xids of Ilo-stiUty in America.

[ Xcw-York Entn-, II. ITO. ] ' ~

Whereas the most serene and mighty Prince James the Second King of Great Britain and the
most Christian King have thought fitt to constitute Commissioners viz' the said King of Great
Brittain, the R' Honorable Robert Earle of Sunderland President of His Ma'^* Council! and one
of the Principall Secretaries of State, Charles E : of Middleton also Principal Secretary of State,
and Sidney Lord Godolphin Lords of his Mat^' Privy Councill, and on the other side the said
most Christian King hath thought fitt to appoint the Sieur BaroUon D'Amoncourt Marquis de
Brauges, one of his Councillors of State in ordinary and His Ambassador extraordinary as likewise
the Sieur Francis de Bonrepaux Councillor in all his Councills Reader in Ordinary of his Bed-
chamber and Intendant Generall of the Marine affairs for the execution of the Treaty concluded
the -ft- November in the year 16SG for the quieting and determining all controversies and Disputes
that have arisen or may hereafter arise between the subjects of both Crowns in America as also
to settle and determine the Bounds or Limitts of the Colonies, Islands, Lands, and Territories
belonging to the said Kings and governed by their respective Governors or otherwise depending
on the said Kings respectively in America. Wee the abovenamed Commissioners by virtue of
the Powers granted unto us by the said Kings our Masters, Do by this present Instrument in their
names promise, agree, and stipulate, that until the -.-^f day of January 16Sf and afterwards from
that day forwards until their said most Serene Majesties shall send any new and express orders
in writing concerning this matter. It shall not be lawfuU for any Govern'^ or Command"' in Chief
of the Colonies, Islands, Lands, and Territories belonging to either Kings Dominions being in
America, to committ any Act of Hostility against or to invade the subjects of the other King,
nor shall the said Governors or Commanders in Chief, upon any pretence whatsoever suffer that
any violence be done to them under Coi-porall punishment and penalty of making satisfaction
with their Goods for the Dammage arising by such contravention nor shall any others do the
same under the like Penalty

And to the end the said Agreement may have the better eftect, Wee do likewise agree that
the said Serene Kings shall immediately send necessary orders in that behalf to their respective
Governors in America, and cause authentick Copies thereof to be also forthwith delivered to
the other Party. In witness whereof. Wee have mutually hereunto sett our hands @ Seals
Given at the Palace at Whitehall the -,\ day of December 1GS7.

Sunderland P. (L S) Baiiillon Damoncourt (L S)

Middleton (L S) Dusson de Bonrepaux (L S)

Godolphin (L S)

Vol. III. 64

506 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Memorials, &<\, hcdween the Frencli Amhassador and English Commissioners ahout

J^eio-Yorh Affairs.

[Xew-Tork Entry, 11. ICC]

Mem*

The most Christian King having empowered the Sieur Barillon his Ambassador extraordinary
The sieur Bariiion at tliis Court and tliB Sieur Dusson de Eonrepaus his envoy extraordinary to treat

& the sieur lie Bon , . ^ . . . , , i i i i • i i "i • ^i , ■ i i

Ecpaus commissrs as his Commissioners With such as should be appointed by his INI a"' in order to the

ap|it<l by Ihe most ^ ^ -^

chrisiian [King] to adjusting all Differences that have arisen or might arise between both Nations in
America @ particularly for the better execution of the late Treaty of Neutrality
'''* between both Crowns in those parts, and his Ma'^ having been pleased to appoint

the Earie of Sun- '^'^^ Right Honorable the Earle of Sunderland, Lord President of the Council! and
mw'"m™ tJ^Lord Principal Secretary of State, the Earle of Middleton Principal Secretary of State,
ecuiing 'the Treaty and the Lord Godolphiu one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasures to treat

of Neutrality in

America. with the Said French Commissioners. Their Lodps had their first conference with

them on the IS"' day of May 10S7 and on the 7"" Nov. the French Commissioners present a
memoriall concerning New Yorke and Acadie and settling the limitts between the Dominions of
each King as follows:

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]

Sire,

The undersigned, Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary of France, have orders from the
King their Master, to represent to your M. that Colonel Dongan and the English iniiabitants of
North America, continue to thwart as much as lies in their power the French Colonies in that
place ; and lately, said Sieur Dongan and the inhabitants of Orange have not only supplied arms
to the Iroquois to wage war against the French, and even made them presents to excite them
thereto, in contravention of the Treaty of Neutrality of the month of Nov. 16SG, of which they
liave a knowledge. The said Ambassador and Envoy Extraordinary of France, have had orders
to request your Majesty, at the same time, to be pleased to dispatch new orders to the said Sieur
Dongan and his other officers in that country, to put an end to the troubles they give the French
Colonies.

Your Majesty is likewise requested to be pleased to send like orders to the Governor of Boston,
who encroaches on the lauds belonging to the French established at Acadia, and to forbid him
disturbing the French Colony in possession of lands belonging to it, agreeably to the terms of
the Treaty of Breda.

The King our Master desires in that only what can accord equally with the interest and
advantage of his subjects and tiiose of your M. ; and as experience has shewn that those who
command act more frequently according to their private interest, than for the general good and
advantage of the Colonies, it seems that to remedy so great an evil, no other expedient can be
adopted than to regulate the boundaries of the lands which each of the two nations ought to
possess, and afterwards rencfer the French and English governments responsible in their proper
and respective name, for all the contraventions which shall be committed against what will have
been agreed upon. We take the liberty to inform your Majesty that we are empowered
to enter thereupon in every way which shall be most beneficial and most advantageous to the

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 507

trade of the subjects of both nntions, and the maintenance among them of the good under-
standing necessary thereunto. Done at London, this ?"■ iVoveinber j

28 October j

Barillon

dusson de bonrepaux.

On the A December tlie French Comm" deliver the following Memorial
concerning the Iroquois.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]

The undersigned, Ambassador and Euvoy E.xtraordinary of France, commissioners named for
. , , the execution of the Treaty of Neutrality of America, desiring nothing better than to

Memorial of ye J J o o

touch'in»'ih!f[ro. facilitate on their part the accommodation of the differences and contests which have
''""'^ arisen between the two nations in America and those which may arise in future, do

not consider it necessary to give another answer to what is contained in the last Memorial
transmitted to them the ^ Nov' last, by Mess" his Britannic Majesty's Commissioners, because
those are for the most part questions which have been already discussed, and on which it would
be difficult to say any thing new. They also consider what has been alleged on their side,
sufficient to establish the right of the King, their master.

Therefore, they have thought that they could do nothing more in accordance with their
orders, than to agree with Mess" the Commissioners of England on a writing, whereby, until
differences can be arranged and bounds and limits established between the lands and countries
possessed by the subjects of the two Kings, all acts of violence and all enterprizes on the one
part and on the other shall surcease, as more amply set forth in the said writing signed the
■^^ of this instant month of December by them and by Mess" the Commissioners of England ;
[but inasmuch as they have acknowledged that the memorial transmitted on the ff November
last, by the said Sieurs Commissioners of England]' contains matter entirely novel, to wit, -
that the five nations, or cantons, of Indians which include the Iroquois are His Britannic
Majesty's subjects ; and as this pretention may fonii one of the gravest difficulties to the partition
to be made of the countries of America, the undersigned Commissioners have deemed it their
duty to clear up this matter, and maintain :

That those Indian nations have acknowledged the dominion of the French, and submitted
themselves thereunto since the years 1G04, 1610, when Sieur Champlain took possession of all
those countries by commission from, and in the name of His Majesty ; and that all the Iroquois
nations concluded, in 1665 and 1666, a solemn treaty with M. de Tracy, commanding in America,
whereby they placed themselves under His IMajesty's protection, and declared themselves his
subjects.

Shortly after, some of the Iroquois having revolted, the said Sieur de Tracy reduced those
rebels, and took possession anew of their lands and forts ; due record whereof was
executed on the 17th October, 1666, by which it is proved, in an authentic manner, that those
savage tribes have long since recognized the dominion of France without any interruption.

All those deeds of entry into possession by the French, and of the submission on the part of
the savages are supported" by several forts, which the French caused to be erected there ;

' The passages within brackets are omitted in the London Document They are supplied from the copy in the Paris
Document, — Ed.

508 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

[according to this it appears, tliat a writing drawn up] in the j'ear 16S4 by said savages in

favour of the Englisli cannot be admitted to the prejudice of tlie ancient right and actual

possession of the French, which appears manifest by the pieces referred to in this present

memorial, copies of which are thereunto annexed ; and tiie originals shall be furnished when

required.

This is what the said Sieurs Commissioners, undersigned, have considered it tlieir duty to

answer to what hath been alleged on the subject of the Iroquois. They add only, that the

3d Article of the Treaty of Neutrality of the if November, ICSG, has settled the question; and

Mess" the Commissioners of England, who were likewise Commissioners of the Treaty

of Neutrality, may remember that this Article was discussed a long time, and that it was

finally consented to on the part of France ; whereupon, Mess" the Commissioners of England

alleged that if it were proliibited to assist the Iroquois with arms and ammunition, the

commerce of his Britannic IMajesty's subjects witli tliem could not any longer be carried on,

because it consisted only of arms and ammunition. It was not pretended, at that time, that

the Iroquois were subjects of His Britaunic Majesty, and not a single word was said about it.

Men were content to stipulate that the said Kings respectively could not assist the enemies the

one of the other, neither in men nor provisions, which in no wise relates to what is now

pretended by Mess" the said Commissioners of England. Done at London this 3 December,

16S7.

Barillon,

DussoN DE Bourepaux.

May it please your Maf.

Wee your Ma'y= Commissionares appointed to treat with the embassador @ Envoy
extraordinary of his most Christian Maf concerning tlie Ditlerences that have hapned between
yo'' Mat'"' and the French in America have had frequent conferences with the said Ambassador
& envoy extraordinary.

Wee have also considered tlie memoriall of the said Embassador & Envoy extraordinary of
his most Ciiristian Maf toucliing the Iroquois, complaining that Coll. Dongan and the Inhabitants
of NewYork have furnished them witli Arms and excited tliem to make Warr upon y" French,
To which wee humbly ofler That it may be given in answer that the Five Nations Viz' the
Maquaes, Senecas, Cayouges, Oneydes, & Onondagues are your Mat^^' subjects as appears by
their submissions @ acknowledgements made by them from the first settlements in these parts,
and more lately by the voluntary subnrission made @ confirmed by them in writing to the
Crown of England, the 30"' day of July 16S4, before your I\Iat" Governors of Virginia @ New
York, and that as soon as it shall be made to appear to your MaV or your Gov"" of New York
that they have injured the French, your Mat^ will take care that all due reparation be made for
the same, and the Indians witli held from committing any spoile upon the French, provided they
do abstain on their parts from making Warr upon those Indians or doing them any Injury.

And wee do further olfcr to your Mat^ That for the benefit of the Trade of your Mat>»
subjects and security of your own dominions in that j)art of America, your Maf be pleased to
protect and support those Indians, as being your Mat^' subjects, to which end orders may be sent
by a ship now ready to saile, not only to Colonel Dungaii but to all your Govern" in those
Parts, to give them all necessary aid and assistance and oppose tiic French in case of another
Invasion and that Coll Dungan be directed to build Forts in such places with" your Mat'^

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 509

Dominions under his Government as he shall find requisit and be enabled to carrj^ on this service
by receiving such necessaries and Provisions as your Ma'> shall direct.

Lastly whereas the French Comm"'" have declared that they were ready to do all that is
necessary for the Regulation of Limitts between the Dominions of both Crowns in America,
We humbly propose that your Maf be pleased to order @ inipower us to treat with them for
the adjusting the same, which may be the best meanes to remove the occasion of Difterences
that happen between the two nations.

All which is most humbly submitted.

The 16 of November 16S7.

Mejid"

His Matys commissioners and the Com''" of France appointed to treat concerning Difterences
in America being met their Lodps delivered to the French Com"' a Generall Memoriall declaring
His Mat>' Pleasure touching the several! Matters in Ditit?rence, @ That his I\Iat>' had impowered
them to treat concerning the Settling of Limitts in America, whereupon the French Comm"''^' do
promise to return an answer to sucii Points wherein they are enabled so to do and to receive
the Directions of the King their master concerning the others, and do likewise propose that the
subjects of both Kings be restrained from all Acts of Hostility during their further Treaty
wherein the Lords Commissioners undertake to receive his Mat" I'leasure.

Th(! Memorial of His Mat" Commissioucrs appointed to treat with the Commissioners of the

their Lodps toarh-

ing the several Most Christian King for the Execution of the Treaty of Neutrality in America,

matters m dilier- "^ J J '

™'^'^' have rec"* his Maty' orders to acquaint the said Commissioners that having maturely

considered their Memorial of the said Commissioners in relation to the Iroquois wherein
complaint is made that Colonell Dungau Governor of N. York, and the Lihabitants of that
Colony, have furnished them with Arms, and excited them to make Warr upon the French,
hath ordered this answer to be given, that His Maty is very much surprized with this complaint,
in as much as it is well known that the five Nations or Cantons of the Indians viz' the Maquaes,
Sinecas, Cayougues, Oneydes, & Onondagues are his Mat" subjects as appears by their
submissions @ acknowledgements made by them from the first Settlement of those parts, and
now lately by their voluntary submission made @ confirm'' by them in writing to the Crown of
England, on the 30"" July 16S4, before his Mat" Gov"'' of Virginia and N. York. In consideration
whereof his Maty finds himself obliged to protect @ support those Indians, in like manner as
other his subjects, having rec'' assurance from his Governor of N. York that the said Indians
were first attacked by the French, and that no means had been used by him to move the Indians
to a Warr, but on the contrary he had done all that in him lay to prevent it. But that his
Maty is never the less so far from giving them any countenance or permission to make Warr
upon or annoy the French that the most Christian King may remain assured that as soon as it
shall be made appear to His Maty or to his Governor of New York wherein they have injured
the French, his Maf will take care that all due reparation be made for the same, and the Indians
withheld from annoying the French in any manner whatsoever Provided they do abstain on
their parts from making Warr upon those Indians or doing them any Injury and his MnV on the
other side can not but expect that all necessary orders be sent to Canada, for the setting at
liberty divers of his Mat" subjects, Indians @ others surprized by the French in the prosecution
of their lawful Trade, and detaiu'd Prisoners in those Parts.

510 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Lastly we are ordered to declare to the French Conim"" that his Mat^ hath given us Powers
@ Directions to enter into a Treaty with tlie said Comni''" for the adjusting of Liniitts between
the Dominions of both Crowns in America and doing every thing else that may conduce to the
removing all occasion of ditierences between the two nations

[ Here fullows a trnnelation into French of the preceding memorial, with the date added — "Done at Whitehall tlu3 IBth
day of November, 1687." — Er.]

Governor Dotigan to the Lord President.

[ Xew-York Pnpcrs, I. 43(5. ]

My Lord.

When his Maj" Commands came to my hand a Father and another gent were here who came
along with Magregory from y* Gov"' of Canida, They would not come to any agrement to
demolisli the ffort at Onijagaro, nor to restore the Goods alleadgeing it was set up by y' French
Kings Direction, and that they liad no orders for pulling it downe, all there drift was to gain a
cessation for 15 monthes and that the matters in difference might be referred for a Decision at
home : upon which I called the cheiffe of the five nations of Indians together who are now
with me, and I proposed it to them, to see what there opinions would be, who unanimously
agreed not to consent to any thing 'till these Demands were complyed w"" also they desyred
that what goods were taken from them the)' might be returned, and another fort that lyes in y'
way of there Bever hunting broaken downe, for say they wee are in prison so long as they are
standing, and furtiier that y" fort at Cadaracqui might also be destroyed saying y"" french had no
right to it, and that they only gaue leaue to one La-Sall to haue a man there to Dresse there
armes as tliey came from hunting, and since the French have built a stone fort there ; As to
Onyagaro they have not the least pretence of right to it, only that a poor Frenchman went
thither to trade with y*^ Indyans; they may have the like pretence to all those parts of America
for they doe the same almost every where, and as for y' Ottowawaes and y*' Indyans that wear
Pipes through there noses, and all those nations who liue west and S : west from hence, they liaue
traded at this toune, ever since it lies been setled, which is above three score and ten yeares, I sent
your Lordship Enclosed Copyes of every thing that hes passed between the Father and I and also
y" opinion of y* Indians ; They are now fast to us, and are very considerable, and we must keep
them soe, foriftliey were otherwise, they are able to ruine all y° Kings Collonyes in tliose Parts
of America, notwithstanding all y^ men y* French King has sent into Canida they are not able to
keep them from tlience, some of the prisoners the Indians took they deliver'd to me, and I have sent
them w"" y^ father in exchange for some of y"" Indians they surprized tradeing with them and
kept at Canida.

If it were agreed upon at home that all things should be left as they were, at y' signing of y'
last treaty sent over to me, & y'' goods restored that were taken both from Christians and Indians,
and y* prisoners as well in Europe as in Canada sent home, then a cessation for two yeares
might be made in w''"' time Commissioners might be sent from bothe Crouues to view y«

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. , - 511

Countrey, & Decide y* limites, otherwise I fear y^ French will have much y* advantage of us,
they being better acquainted in y" Countrey.

In the last Treaty the ffrench copij has it exprest, That y* savages are not to be assisted, w""
word being geiierall they lay hold of, but the English copij sayes Wilde Indians, as I conceive --
to make a distinction between those who subniitt to government and those who doe not, w'""
reaches not our Indians who haue from time to time submitted themselfs under his Maj"
Souveraigaity, My Lord I have been here all this winter with foure hundred foote and fifty
horse and Eight hundred Indians, the French nor there Indians have done us any hurt as yett,
wee are at great chardges and as I have often writt the Government nott able to maintain it
selfe as it is, not to reckon this Extraordinarij Expense, and when I come to N. Yorke to impose
another Tax upon y* people I am afraid they will desert the Province and goe to other
Plantations, your Lord? is a sufficient juge how far ^'3000 will goe in supporting a government
that is a frontier, both to y"" ffi-encli and Indians, and that is all y'' Revenue amounted to the
last yeare, as will appeare by y' ace" I shall send home in y^ Spring : And now, iNIy Lord,
the charges will be a great deal more, for we must build forts in y'^ countrey upon y' great Lake,
as y" french doe, otherwise we loose y"" Countrey, the Bever trade and our Indians, and also
there must be Missionaries sent amongst them, the French priest desired of me

Mission'riea ^ ^

leave for there Missionaries to goe and live amongst them again, by which I fynde
they make religion a stalking horse to there pretence, when I denyed him in a
800,000 uvTea seni great heat he told me his Master y* french King had sent over Eiglit Hundred -

Thousand livres to prosecute this Warr, half of w"" he said had it been but given
to bribe those Indians, they might have been all gained upon to come over to there side, So
I beleive they will leave no stone unturned to get them, There are also officers that belong to
y^ government who must be paid.

My Lord, peace or Warr there must always be 4 or 500 men to maintain those forts to keep -
J" Indians secure to us, and the Beaver Trade, and also our right to y' countrey ; this My
Lord cannott be done without money. East and West Jersey were they annexed to y*
government would not bring in one hundred pounds p' annum nor fifty men in case of need,
East Jersey its true is very convenient for us to preserve that Revenue we haue, and if any of
the neighboring Collonyes should have warr either with French or Indians, It is this
Government must be y* Bullwark to Boston, which is not at the fourth part y" charge New
Yorke is, and hes ten times the Revenue. Conecticut is added by y^ fraud of y' Governo'' &
y^ Clerk unknowne to y^ rest of y* generall Court, and for one that wishes it as it is, there is a
hundred in that Colony that Desyres it were annexed to y° Governm' of N. Yorke : My Lord
what I here in this letter writt to your Lordship you will find to be true, 'tis the Misfortune ^
of this Governm' that it is not able to keep a Solicitor at Court as other Colonyes doe. My
owne Sellary is lesse than any other Gouernour his Mnj'" has abroad, & yet am at a greater
expence then any of them ; and not Six hundred pounds perquisits since I came into the
Government. I have and am dayly engaging my credit w'''' is all I haue left in y' King and
Countrey's seruice, I therefore humbly begg that his Maj'' will be pleased to take it into his
consideration.

I am very glad that his Majesties orders are come over to the Neighboring colonijes to assist

512 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

me, otherwise I am nffraid I slioukl be denyed l)y all as I already haue been by some, This I
send by the way of Boston, beleeveing it will y"' sooner come to your Lordships hands
I am your Lordships, most obedient and most humble seruant.

Tho: Doxgan.
Albany y"" lO"- feb. IGSf

To

The Right Hon"''''^ the Earle of Sunderland

Lord President of His Majesties most Hono''""" Privy Councill,

Kniglit of the most noble order of the Card(M- and v

Princi pall Secrefy of State att '

Whitehall.

Reed 28 May 8S
Read 14 June SS

— •-♦-♦-••►H

,,. ]\[(tnsi(:iir <Je Denonville to (rove/'nor Doinjan.

[TRANSLATED FROM TUE FKKNCH.]
[Ncw-Tork Papers, li. II. 04.]

Kebec S^ October 1GS7.
Sir

On arriving in this town I received a letter from the King, copy of which I send you, so that
you may see. Sir, how much His Majesty has at heart that we should live on good terms. This
has induced me not to await your reply to the letters I had the honor to write you by Antoine
Lespinard, regarding the complaints 1 madi^ to you of the infraction yourself and your officers at
Orange have committed and continue to commit of the last Treaty of Peace and LTnion, entered
into between the Kings, our Masters, copy of which you sent me, and agreeing with the copy sent
by the King for publication, a transcript of which I have sent you. Though I have quite
recently again cause to complain of you and your subjects since you have, a short time ago,
hired a party of sixty Mohawks to come and make a foray in the country of New France,
which is a truth so well known that it cannot be doubted ; yet, Sir, in confonnity with my
Master's orders, and in response to the intentions of His Majesty, whose will I follow, directing
me to do all in my power to contribute to the union that our Masters desire should exist
between us, I iuivc! determined to send you back Sieur Gregory, and all those whom you
despatched under iiis orders, being very happy to evince to you thereby the desire I have to
live well with ycni, and to avoid every subject of quarrel, which will be very easy if you wish
to remain witliin the rules prescribed by the treaty entered into by our INIasters. If any
didlculties occur they can l)e very easily arranged if you will only communicate them to me;
if we do not succeed we can write at the same tinu; to our Masters, without undertaking anything
of ourselv(;s, and await their orders bt^fore making any movement on our part. 1 annex to this
letter duplicates of those 1 had the honor to write you by Antoine Lespinard, that you may be
informed, in case they have not arrived, of the reasons which I had to detain the said Sieur

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 513

Gregoire and the men under liis command, with the causes of my discontent at what you have
undeital\en contrary to our Masters' intentions, and the pledge you yourself gave me which I
accepted, by which you promised me not to undertake any new expedition ; I promising to do
the same.'

As it is very necessaiy to the maintenance of good correspondence between us according to
our Masters' intentions, that I be informed of your last resolutions, in order to afford you an
opportunity to communicate with me, I retain here only those named Captain Loquerman, the
son of Arian Abraham Squelar [Schuyler], and Jean Blaquerd, whom I shall take care will
want for noth'ing, until I have replies from you to justify me not to doubt that we shall live
hereafter in union and good understanding.

I did intend to send you a gentleman to communicate to you all that could not be put in
letters ; but as the season is too far advanced, and the roads besides are more free to you, in
consequence of the intimate relations which you have with our enemies, I believed that if you
designed preserving a good imderstanding between yourself and me, according to our Masters'
wishes, it would be easy for you to send some one with whom I could speak on business, and
arrange everything whilst waiting fresh orders from our Masters on the actual state of afi'airs.

I must not omit. Sir, a new subject of complaint which I have to make to you, of the pillage
of Pentagouet, perpetrated by your commandant of Boston. You know that by the treaty
concluded between Monsieur le Chevalier de Granfontaine, the King's Governor of Acadia,
and the Governor of Boston, Pentagouet is understood to belong to the King. Yet, Sir, here
is an act of hostility of which I demand explanation.

As regards the Iroquois, you will bear in mind, if you please Sir, that you ought not to give
them nor allow your merchants to furnish them ammunition, to be used against us without
contravening the last treaty of the sixteenth of November, 168(5, and without declaring war against
us. I do not believe, Sir, this is your intention, since it is not that of the King of England.

I am,

Sir,
Your most humble and most obedient
Servant
(signed). The M. de Denoxville.

Governor Dongan to Monsieur de Denonville.

[New-York Papers, B. U. 66.]

25 Ocf 1687
Sir

I have received yours of the 2""* of October from Kebeque with the copy of a letter from the
French King to you ; sure Sir, you had the contents of this letter in your Instructions at your
coming out of France to your Governm', if you had not, the King my Master has been
deceived, and if you bad you have done very ill in invadeing the King of England's terntoryes
without any provocation.

Sir, I hope you have a better opinion of me than to think I cannot see as farr as another
Vol. III. "65

514. NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

man, and let me tell Moiis' Denonville I know what he aims att as well as he does himself and
do assure him he shall not obtains his ends for I will stand by those Indians who have
submitted themselves their lands and conquests under the obedience of the King of England to
the last.

Both your letters are full of complaints that I and my officers att Albany have made a breach
in the late articles of peace between the kings — Mons'' de Nonville knows 1 have done no
such thing : but to the contrary — both before the late Treaty and since have often tendred, that
if any of the King's subjects either Christians or Indyans should do any injury to those of
Canada upon application to me I would speedily do them justice. In requittal of which fair
offers I leave to you yourselfe to judge what you have done.

You tell me that I have hyred sixty Indyans to make spoyle upon the Country of New
France, truly Mons'' de Nonuille, you do me wrong, I did not byre them but I could not in
justice hinder them from revenging themselves for your unjust proceedings against them, first,
in takeing sixty and more of them that were tradeing with your own people and esteem'd you
as their friends, next coming with such a power of men into the Senekes country, killing and
wounding some of them, cutting down their corne that was growing and carrying away the
other corn j-ou found there and also building a tort at Onyagara with several other things too
long to mention in tliis letter, and all this done in time of jjeace without any grounds, however
I have that charity for the poor people of Canada, who are not in the fault, that I have
prevailed with the Indyans not to use any cruelty to any they should take, but to bring them
to their Castles and keep them to exchange for such of tiieir own people that may happen to
be taken prisoners.

As for your taking the Christians prisoners and taking their goods from them I passe that by
att present not doubting but they will have satisfaction, only desire of Mons'' Denonville by the
bye to know why itt may not be as lawful for the King of England's subjects to travell the
woods as for the French King's. I know, Mons"" Denonville will tell me it is their country but
I must deny that : Yett in case itt were, could you not order your people to have sent them
from thence and prohibiting their trading there, let them have gon to some other place, 'tis a
very hard thing that all tlie Countryes a Frenchman walks over in America must belong to
Canada.

Sir, I am glad you are sensible that you ought to be upon a good understanding with the
King of England's subjects, and am very sorry you did not think upon itt before you did what
you have done butt itt is better late than never.

I have made as many steps for a fair correspondence with you as any man liveing could do
and if you had kept yourself within the bounds of those rules you proscribe to mee wee should
now have had no difference.

You remark very well that wee should not do any thing of our own heads without first
haveing our Masters orders, but what then does hee deserve that has done just contrary to their
commands.

The letters I had the honour to receive from you by Anthony Lespinard I have answei'ed by
La Prair6, and as for those prisoners you still keep, I know no reason you had to take them nor
do I solicite their returne.

I know nothing that I have done contrary to the unity and friendship between our Masters,
but you that have, if you have any thing to say or oHer to me I shall be att Albany all this
winter and if you will send anybody to mee (upon your desire). I will order that he shall come
without any danger.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 515

To lett Moils'" de Nonville see I am a better friend to the French King's subjects than he
thinks I am and to prevent the eftusion of a great deale of Christian bloud that may be spilt,
and for avoiding of any tiling may happen between our Masters subjects in these parts I take
the freedom to Counsel! you, now you have done an unadvised thing to report' of itt and send a
person to me att Albany where if your demands bee not very unreasonable I doubt not these
matters may be composed.

What you mention of Pemaqiiid, it is not now in this Government, and what there is done
I know nothing of itt, but for selling the Maquaas ammunition, they are the King my Masters
subjects, and I cannot deny them any thing that is for tlieir defence.

I am,

Sir
Your most humble and most obedient
servant
(signed.). Tuo: Doxgan.

Governor Dongan to Monsieur de Denonville.

i New-York Papers, B. II., 68. ]

31 Ocf 16S7.

Sir.

I have received yours by the Gentle" that brings you this, in which I find you onl}' reply what
you have done before, in chargeing me of beginninge the warre which is but a poore pretence
for a man of an ordinary cappassittie might see what your intentions weer.

And as for my style which you seem to be offended at, I could render myself noe otlierwys
to one that would impute a thinge to raee that might have cost mee my head, if guilty.

You tell me, we ought to leave the dessition of the limmits to our Masters and undertake noe
new thinge, I am sencible of noe step that I have made towards the alteracon of the Governm'
since my comeinge here, but on the contrary I writt to Mons"' de la Barre that if any of our
Christians or Indyans had done anythinge contrary to the mutuall correspondence which ought
to bee between both Governments uppon complaint to mee, should not only hear there
applycacons but have given them redresse, he haveing pretended the same quarell as you doe —
Sir, the verry same I have before offered you, and you may remember the returne you made by
Anthony Lespinard.

Sir, I doe not take the Kinge my masters right to the five nations on this syde of the lake
from Mons' de la Barr, but from our records which demonstrates, that these five nations has
been in a free and brotherly correspondence from the first settlement of this towne and further
they have submitted themselfs, there country and conquests to the Dutch in their time and to
the Kinge of England since this Collonie came under His Majes'"' obedience, so that the King
haveing given a pattent to M"" W" Penn of a tract of land in which there conquest land uppon
the Susquehana River was included in the grant, since all this they came to me in the presents
of the Lord Effingham now Gov'' of Virginia presentinge two dorst deerskins desiringe me to

. ' Qu» Repent. — Ed.

516 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

send them to tlie Kinge tliat a red broad scale might bee affixed to them, that, that part of
Susquehanna river might bee annexed to this collonie haveing some of there friends livinge
tliere ; this when you consider, I am sure that there is noe grounds left for you to doubt that
they are tlie Kinge of England's subjects. Sir, I have not brolien the treaty of Nevvtrality, but
you have broken botli new^ and old, for I can doe no lesse then furnish those Indyans the Kinge
my masters subjects, both, with powder and lead, and also joyne with them uppon occasion for
there defence.

You did well in sending IMajor Macgregory home with his people, but your interrupting them
in going to such places which you have noe pretence to, I cannot immagine the reason of it.

Sir, my joyneinge the five nations was, what my duty obliged me to doe, aud yet you tell me
of breaking the neutrallity ; but I might more truelly charge you with it ; for when you attaqued
Sinnicars, you might as well come against New Yorke and if there were any ground of complaint
against the Sinnicks, the first ajjlication from an)' of yours to me, should have heard it to your
satisfaction which would have been the only means to have settled a quiet correspondence
amongst the Kinge of Englands subjects in this parts and yours on your side.

As tor Major Magregorie and his people's entertainement since there goinge to Quebeck has
been verry civill, the same shall all your people that comes to my bauds meet with.

Sir, it is not in my nature to raile, neither can I endure to bee threatned ; my cause carries
justice in it's face and will support itself, without that sort of language which you were pleased
to charge me with, I need uot plead to defend that my letters will testifie that style, be pleased
to peruse your first letter to mee.

Sir, I question not but if the Kinge your Master were truly informed of the situation of those
five nations on this side of the lake and Ottowawaes and of the nations that lives to the
Southward and southwest of the lakes, bee would adjudge it to bee the King of England's
right.

Now Sir, to show my endevours shall uot bee wanting in settlinge a firme peace in these
parts and keeping a faire correspondence with you, which I am sure you will finde the most
safe and soonest way to propagate and establish the Christian Religion, and true friendship and
to keep the Indyans in tiiere obedience it being the only pretence you have for what you have
done.

But the only way of beginninge this good worke is to leave things in the same state that they
were in when you came to your Government.

First — that satisfaction be given for tboes goods and merchandize that weer taken from the
Christians.

2"<iiy — That you will demolish the two forts: viz: Onyagars, and the other that were built by
your orders this sommer.

3'^'y That you send back the Indians of the five nations which your people have taken prisoners
and so leave the desission of matters to our Masters concerning bounds and limitts, if we can
not settle it amonge ourselfs as the treaty of neutrality directs, and if they find them to ])ee
dependant of your Govern' shall wish you happinesse in the Governinge of tliem.

Sir, as for disobayinge any of my Kings commands, it was always very unagreeable to my
principle and inconsistent to my interest, and if there bee not a good intelligence between us
it will be none of my fault, for I have many a fair stepp to compleat itt, and as for the Indyans
continueing in a hostile manner it is for there owne defence, and can not bee preuented till the
affair is brought to a right understandinge between us.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 517

Sir, the regard I liave for the poor people of Cannada who are not the occasion of tliis and
sencible of the cruelty of tlie Indyans, have ordered tliem uetiier to murther nor torment any
of the prisoners which they tal^e hut to bringe them to niee, and I would returne them as many
Indians as were taken by your people for them, and to that intent they have sent three and I
have sent this day for some others which are in there castles, and for a gentlewoman which I
am informed was taken from Caderachqui and also for four children that were taken from
Chambly; Yet, Sir, it is very difficult to get any prisoners from them they having a custom
when any of tiiere people are lost to give upp thoes they take to crueltie of thoes fammillys
wliich have lost any of there people.

Sir, I desire nothinge that may bee prejudicial! to you, but am sure itt will bee of great
consequence to you in exchangeinge thoes prisonners you have for your owne people. Beside
there is a great difference betwixt them and Christian blood, which you will save by the
exchangeing of them ; as for the Sinniks, they are obedient to this Government and will engage
that whatever articles of peace is concluded between you and mee they shall submitt too ; as for
any treaty made without my consent, I am not concerned in it, but if any agreement be made
between us, then shall undertake to make them give satisfaction for any unjust acts.

Sir, to conclude, if your intentions are accordinge to your expressions in your letters and you
will leave things as you found tiiem when you invaded the Sinuicks, I shall readily join heart
and hand with you to obey our Masters commands, to the end wee may have a right
understandinge between us, which is the desire of.

Sir
Your humble and obedient servant

Tho: Doxgax

Mon-nei.n' de Denonvilh to Governor Dongan.

[ Xew-York Papers, B. II. 72. ]

Quebeck 2S"> Dec' 16S7.
Sir.

I received by Major Magregory the two letters which j'ou have taken the paines to write to
me of the 31. of Ocf & the 10"" of Nov"" hee arrived heer in good health the ■3'''' of this month
in spite of the fatigue of the saison.

I am very glad to see Sir, the good dispositions which you testifye to have to contribute on
your part that hereafter wee may live in a more firme union and frindshippe than we have
done heretofore seinge it is the intentions of our Masters who gives us great examples to engage
us both to follow and imitate them in there zeale for the mainte3'ninge and propagateinge of the
Religion in their Estates — espetially in this great part of the world.

I have had already honor to acquaint j^ou Sir, that the great designe of the Kinge my Master
has in this country is no other than the conuersion of the Infidells and unite all these poor
barbarous people in the boosom of the church, it is trutli, which you will understand heerafter
by others as well as by mee. It is the first and principle article of instructions which I had
when I received of the King the generall Govern' of this country. I am certaine, that his
Majestie will nether spare men nor money to eftect it.

518 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

After this Sir, can you believe that the King your Master that does soo great things in his
doniiniiions for Religion, can contradict the King my Waster in his pious designes seinge they
cannot be contrary to the interest of His Majestic of Great Brittain, you have the proofe of it
in your hands, it is Sir the last treaty of newtrality concluded between the two crowns which
doe sufficiently testify that the two Kings do reciprocally abandon tbe savages who shall be in
warr against the subjects of either Kinge. The question now Sir is the Execution of the last
treaty of the 16"" of Nov"' 16S6. in which you tiud difficulties by the right which you will have
over the five nations before this question be decided and regulated between our Masters as you
had proposed to me by your letter of the 22'"' of May 1GS6 and which I had accepted by my
answer of the 20. of June of the same year — but Sir, not to loose time in unprofitable
disputinge of a thinge which ought to be regulated elswhere I shall medle only with thoes
things which can be done betwixt you and mee to entertaine betwixt us and our master's
subjects accordinge to there intentions the good intelligencies and correspondencies which they
will have us to manage.

And to testify unto you the disposition that I am in and the particuler consideration that J
have tor your person and your sentiments, I accept the Otters that you make unto me by your
letter of the last of October, not to spar your pains to procure a sollid peace to this country
and to keep betwixt us a good correspondencie, assuringe you Sir, as I have not made warr but
by regrett and beinge thereto forced by the continuall insultations and by the perfides of the
Sinneckes, 1 am very ready to act joyntly with you to give unto our Colonies and to all our
sauuages a generall peace soe necessary for establishing of Religion and for the commerce of
our people — Therefore Sir, haveinge considered that letters could not be sufficient to explaine
you all that I should have to tell j^ou, and M"' Gregorie haueinge testified unto me the desire
which you have that I should send some person unto you to conferr with you on all things —
beside, your letter Testifyinge tliat you should be very willinge to enter in the instrest of
Religion to correspond of your side upon the account of your great Kinge to the pious designes
of our great Monarch I did not believe I could make choice of a person that could be more
agreeable unto you then the Rev. Father Vaillant Jesuite, who is not unknowne unto you
liaveing bin missioner with the Makquas in the time that you arrived to the Gennerall Govern'
of New-Yorke.

As hee knows perfectly the measures tiiat must bee taken for that, and that I have lykewyse
informed him of all my intentions which can not but relate to the good pleasure of the Kinge
my Master and I am lykewys assured that you would not doe any thinge without consent of
His Majestic of greatt Brittain, I pray you Sir to give Credit to all that he will say unto you
from mee and be assured that I will hould and Rattifie of my part all that shall be regulated
betwixt you and him.

Tho' I am not ignorant that you are sufficiently knowing of in our language to confer with
the said Father, yet 1 have sent with him M" Dumont wiio speaks English, hee is an honest
man and I have respect for him. there is noe need that I should pray you to give necessary
orders for there safe returne, as 1 am very well perswaded that you woidd be very loath to doe
the least tiiinge which might displease the Kinge your Master. 1 lykewyse pray you not to desire
of mee that which is net in my power to accord you and to tliinke that the only means not to
displease our Masters is to leave intirely all our deferences to there decesion contentinge ourselfs
to send unto them some memorials from each of us by which they may decidate and let us know
their orders and there will.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 519

Believe Sir, that there is nothinge I desire so much as 3'our friendshippe and to testifie in all
places that profound respect which I have for your great King, protector of the holy Religion
and ancient friend to the King my blaster — I pray you Sir, beleeve that I am,

Your most Iiumble and most obedient servant.

The M. DE Dexonville.

Governor Dongan to Moimem- de Denonville.

[Xew-York Papers, B. II. 90. ]

l?'" Feb" 1C)S8.
Sir.

Yours came to my hands by the ReV Father Vaillant and Mons'' Dumont — I am heartily sorry
for an accedant that happened to tliem by meetinge some drunken Indians by the way hitlier
that abused and tooke several things from them, what was taken I cause to be restored and two
or three of the chief of them have been after them in the woods ever since and I doe assure
you Sir that as soon as they shall bee taken, I will doe you and myselfe justice in punishinge
them.

What power you have given the said Rev"* Father and Mons'' Dumont 1 know not; severall
papers have passed between us but are come to noe conclusion, which is very strange to mee,
my demands beinge see just and reasonable, which are as follows :

1. The breakinge down the foort at Onyagro.

2. The restoringe what has been taken from the Christians and Indians or the value of itt.

3. The sendinge home all the prisoners that you have now at Canada and thoes you have
sent for France.

Thes are all my masters commands to mee and I doe by this letter desii'e the same of you
and alsoo hee has ordered mee, provided you comply with these, to take care that if any of
those five nations doe you any wronge to give you satisfaction ; this I have often formerly
tendred you, and now againe offer it and withall promise you that the Sinnekes shall pay you
the two hundred heavors, the Rev'' father says they engaged to Mons'' de la Barre, and I am
sure whatever faults they committed before that time were concluded in the agreement.

Then to bee upon a right understandinge with you and your Govern', there is nothing in the
world I desire more ; for the propagation of the Catholijke faith I am sure there is no Prince
livinge is more zealous than my master, to which end hee is sendinge Missionaries ever to live
among the Indians. I suppose if you had orders from the Kinge your Master to build a fort
upon the King of England's dominions it was by some misinformation of some of your
predecessors or others, therefore lett not Mons'' Denonville be the caus of a misunderstandinge
between the two greatest Monarchs that ever filled the Thrones they sitt on. As for the treaty
of newtrality in the French coppy the word sauage is used without the addition of Indians but
not soe in the English where the words Wild Indians are used to distinguish between thoes who
have submitted themselfs under Govern' and thoes who have not.

You may judge by my letters what my inclynations were and if you will have things as they
were at the signeinge the treaty, I will be of the same minde still, and will referr all things to

520 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the decission of our Masters with my prayers that they may come to a right conclusion. But
tSir, it is very hard that you should he judge and party too.

Sir, 1 have sent you eight prisoners the Father and Mons'' Dumont have engaged to mee to
send eigiit of the Indians you have with you for them, tiiere names I have delivered in a paper
to the ReV* Father, I desire they may he sent hy a Gent, I have ordered to goe alonge with
tlie Father as farr as Mont Royal! , the same person will stay there to expect your answer, and
I hope you will comply with my demands which is the desire of

Sir
Your most obedient and most himible
servant

Tho Doxgan.

Pray Sir dispatch M'' Derrick Wessells with the prisoners as soon as possible for 1 have
ordered him to bee back hither by the middle of April.

Governor Dongan^s first Demand of the French Age)its.

[Xe-n-Yurk PaptTs. B. H. 74.]

,3rd pebry lesi

Whereas in the 3''"' Article of the Treaty of neutrality between the King of Great Brittain
and the French King the -,\ of Nov' 16S0 Its concluded that no Souldiers armed men ettc
liveing in the French Colonies or vviio come out of Europe to be in garison there shall committ
any act of hostility or any injury ettc against the most Serene King of Great Brittain's subjects
in the English colonies and governments.

Notwithstanding which, in the month of May last in the year 16S7 Maj"' Maggregory and
M"" Roseboom accompanied with some of the inhabitants of this Towne to trade with the
Indians that are west and by south W: S: West and S: and by west of this Govern' were sett
upon by a considerable party of French with Indians, there arms and goods taken from them,
and themselves taken prisoners and kept at Cadarachqui Mont Royall and Quebeck for four
months.

2'^ Also in the month of June last, the French took severall of the Indians of those nations
called Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges and Sinnekes that went to trade at Cadarachqui and
other places of the Governm' of Canida (who had submitted themselfs to be the King of
England subjects) and used them very cruelly some whereof the Governour of Canida hath
sent to France.

3'3' Further contrarie to the said Articles in the month of July last the French invaded the
Sinnekes country in a iiostile manner cut down there corn Burnt tiiere villages killd some of
there people and built a fort att a place called Onyagaro

Upon which several letters and messengers have past between the Governour of Canida and
me, and whereas now in particular the Rev : Father Valiant and Mons' du Mont are sent by
the Governour of Canida with power to compose and bring the difierence between both
Governments to a Right understanding.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 521

To lett the world see that I have and always had a desire to maintain a right understanding
with the Governour and Government of Canida, therefore I demand,

First : That all the arms and goods tliat were taken from Major Maggregory M"' Roseboom
and the people that were along with them, may be restored or the value of them.

2°'^ That the fort or forts built att Onyagaro or anywhere else upon the Mohegs, Oneyede,
Onnondage, Cayouge, Sinnondowanne land since the said -,\ of Nov' 1686. be demolished.

3'y That the prisoners of all the five nations that are in your possession may be set at liberty
and sent home to there countrey, and also that those who are sent to France be delivered by
the French Ambassadour at London to the Secretary of State there, or to the King of England's
ambassador or'Agent at Paris, that a course may be taken for there transportation to New Yorke.

4:"y I a word, that the Governour of Canida leave all things as they were at the makeing of
the said Articles of Neutrality

(Signed). Tho: Doxgan.

Mr6't Paper of the French Agents to Governor Dongan.

[New-York Papers, B. II. TO.]

-ti Febi-y IGSi

Whereas the Governour of New Yorke in a letter 31. Ocf 16S7. to the Governour of Canada
proposed to him the makeing of a peace and Major Maggregory in the name of the Governour
of New Yorke desired the Governour of Canada to send to Albany some Frenchman to compose
the difference with the Governour of New Yorke, for that end and purpose are sent S: Valliaiit
and M"^ Dumont but in there journey as he knows, have been very ill treated contrary to all
right and law by some Indians called Mahingans subjects of the Government of New Yorke.

Wherfore before wee goe any further to answer the proposals, of Gov' Dongan, wee have
judged it just to demand of him (as wee have done nine dayes agoe by word of mouth)
sattisfaction for the injury done to the Governour of Canada, whose person I represent.

This favour wee demand the more, because this injury is committed also against the person
of the Gov' of New Yorke since it was committed not only in the presence but also contrary to
the will and consent of his Messengers who had promised us there would be noe reason to feare
in thei'e company, but the Indians declared they had done all this by the command of Governour
Dongan ; if hee denyes us this favor.

Then, there is first reason to feare that some thing worse will happen unto us in our returne,
especially seeing the said Mahegan Indians and some others who returned out of Canada dowting
whether we were aryved at this towne did seek for us, with that intent to carry us captive into
there fort ; the same Indians have threatened that they will kill all the French retuminge into
Canada and the Jesuit to be burnt.

Secondly, unlesse the Governour of New Yorke provides that this injury bee repaired, then

there is reason to beleeve, that hee would not have repaired better the injuries done by the

Sinnekes to the Collony of Canada, if it had been demanded of him, altho' he has often

complain'd to us that he has heard nothing of them.

Franciscus Vaillant Soc : Jesu.

Albany. Elambert Dumont.

Vol. III. 66

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.
Governor Dongati's ■second Paper to flie French Agents.

[ Xew-Tork Papers, B. II. 7S. ]

February 16SS.
Rev: Father

That I have propounded to the Governour of Cannada the -makeinge of peace is very true,
which altho' it was my own inclynation was neverthelesse upon his desyre signyfied in severall
of his letters to have a good correspondence with this Government and intimacie, that if the
way was as open for him as for mee he would sent some person for the purpose wiiich I sent
Major Maggregory back with the very same demands that I have made to you, withall
acquaintinge him if there weer complyance with and hee had anythinge further to propose, hee
might send one allong with Major Macgregory hitiier to whicli intent if you are come yourselfe
is the best judge.

That )^ou have been abused by the Indians in your journey, I am sensible of and very sory
for it, and that you have nine dayes sine demanded justice and that I promised it you is true,
and now repeat the same that you shall have restitution of the goods and that offenders
punished for the Affi-ont.

You affirme that the Indians declared what was done, was by my commands, I have enquired
of Major Magregory and hee sayes hee does not beleeve the Indyans saj'd any such matter, if
you produce your Author both for that and what else you expresse about the Indians, I will doe
the Gov of Canada justice and myself alsoo, but if you do not. Rev. Father if with good
reason I thinke it's what proceeds wholly from yourself.

Tho Doxgan.

Second Paper of the French Agents to Governor Dongan.

[New-York Pupera, B. II. SO.]

February 16S8.

I would rather be accused of an untruth, then to reveal any one to his evident damage, of
whom I have understood anything — Yet I dare amongst many name Mons"^ Dumont who
knows the Mahigan language, and understood of those barbarians whatsoever I have affirmed
of them. Now I answer to your propositions.

In the 5"" Article of the treaty of Neutrality between the Most Christian King and the King
of great Brittain -f^ Nov"" 1GS6. it is prohibited to the subjects of the King of England to trade
in the rivers or other places in America subjected to the Government of the King of France,
and it is lawful] to seize upon the ships or boats with marchandize of those that trade in those
places, by which article it was prohibited to Major Maggregory and Roseboom and other
inhabitants of Albany to goe to trade to the Ottowawe, which place lys from Albany or New
'i orke betwixt west and north, and not betwixt west and south ; but howsoever the said place
is situated without dispute itt belongs to the Governm' of the French, seeing they have lived
there more then fourty yeares, and tiiis does Gov"" Dongan confers in his writing where he calls
those Indians the Indians of the French.

That the foresaid subjects of the King of England came to the Ottowose to trade, itt appears

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 523

first by the passe or leave which they had in writiiige from tiie Gov'' of New Yorke, itt appeares
secondly, by the confession of the foresaid subjects, whose confession and testimony was then
and in that place presently, juridically, recorded upon writing. Wherefore by force of the o""
article of the said treaty, there was power and riglit given to tlie French to sieze upon the goods
and canoes of the fores'" Major Maggrj^gory and his compagnions. And in vain does Gov''
Dongan complain, first, that the Fi-ench have done against the 3"^ Art: of the s** treaty of
neutrality, since in that article, it is only concluded that the french are not to domnify the
English within the colonies as subjects to the Kinge of England (which last words is to be taken
notice of) but not within the colonies ettc. subjects to the French Gov"" if thither the English
come to ti'ade without power.

But altho' the French had done anything contrary to the said Treaty it was before the treaty
was known in Canada, but it is a strange thing, that by the same messenger by whom Gov''
Dongan sent a copy of the treaty to Gov"" Denouville, and writt also that he would with powder,
gunns and other necessaries for the warr furnish the Indians, with whom the France a few
dayes before had begin a warr, by this his letter bee manifestly signifj'ed that he intended to
contradict the foresaid treaty, the knowledge of which treaty came first into Canada from the
Gov'' of New Yorke. In the S"* Art : of this treaty is forbidden to the inhabitants of the English
Government to give any help to the Barbarians with whom the French have warr, and itt is not
sufficient to say that in that article are understood Barbarians, belonging to no Government,
because in the treaty printed both in French and English the prohibition is put absolutely without
any condition and the English coppy used the word wild Indians, not to distinguish them from
Barbarians, belonging to some Governments but to distinguish them from Indians who are first
come out of Europe to live in the West Indies — here therefore Gov' Denonville judged itt was
lawfull for him to carry Major Maggregory and his compagnions to Mont Roy all and from thence
to Quebeek to deliberate whither thy were to send into France there to give an account of the
proceedings of Gov'' Dongan — some of them were there kept more close, not as prisoners of
warr butt as guilty of some particular misdemeanor, for example Maggregory was kept close in
the fort of Cadaraggue for some time because he did threate with his sword run through a Capt"*
being actually upon his duty. Secondly, Gov'" Dongan complaints that some barbarians were
detained in the fort of Cadaraggue and other places belonging to the colony of Canada. I
answer, that some were taken as ennemies, sucli were the Sinnickins and a certain Barbarian
Goiogouenha-oreouahe with his fellow-traveller who, as he himselfe confesseth to me was come
into Canada with that intend to carry away with him back some French captives 'into his
village, other barbarians were detained by us that they might not discover the march of the
French army but were afterwards kept as ennemies because their countrymen made first warr
with us about the fort of Cadaraggue or Hand of Mont Royall, and that by the instigation of
Gov'' Dongan as thy themselves confesses — He complains 3""^ of the fort of Niagaro of the
warr with the Sinnekes ettc — I answer that we do not acknowledge that land and nation as
subject to the King of England but as rebels against us, butt Gov'' Dongan who toke them for
his and knew we had several reasons to complaine of them, ought to have provided satisfaction
to be made to us especially since he was not ignorant that the Sinnekes could easily have made
satisfaction by restoring to us the captives of the Ottowawes and by coming to Gov'' Denonville
at Cadarogque to make peace with him as they use to doe many years ago — butt on the
contrary Gov'" Dongan did forbid them to restore the prisonners to the French or to go to
Cadaragque to treat with Gov' Denonville about peace —

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

But to put a stop to complains and to lett all see Gov"" Denonville unwillingly made warr with
the Siunekes — I his name I demand :

First : that the controversies of the limits, of distroying the fort, of restoring the goods may
bee referred to the two kings as it is commanded in the treaty of newtrality.

Secondly, because a peace can not bee made without the consent of all nations, which are
concerned in the warr, that there be time given to call them together, and a convenient place
appointed where they may all savely meet — but since some of them lives so remote, that itt
will be 15 months before they can come, therefore before that time a generall peace cannot be
concluded.

Wlierefore Thirdly, in the mean time I demand that there may be a cessation of amies on
both sides, lett not the Sinnekes or any other nation molest or damnify the Indians belonging
to the French, and let not them make any excurtion to the Ottowose, less any of them be killed
by ours not knowing of this treaty.

Fourthly, within this time we shall hear what the two kings sliall have agreed upon concerning
the limits, the Fort of Niagara, and the restitution of the goods: in this manner we shall not
now conclud anything contrary to the will and pleasure of the Kings our Masters ; for example,
if they comand the forts to be demolished, the goods to be restored, then those shall be demolished
and these restored.

Fifthly, I demand that all the prisoners, and first the Indian called Sogaresse, who with his
wife and sonne is here kept closs in a certain place, and all other Indians Inhabitants of Mont
Royal, and all the French detained here or amongst the Indians, lastly all the Ottowose and
Hurones two yeares taken, be all restored to me, and I promise to returne as many Indians
taken by us or detained either in Canada or in France —

Sixtly, if before the two Kings conclude anything concerning the limits, if the Siunekes or an}^
of the rest shall contrary to the 3"''* art : of this present treaty act any hostility against the
French or Barbarians their associates or subjects, then shall the French have right and power to
renew warr, and Gov'' Dongan in that cause shall have no right or power to assist the Indians
with armes, victualls, and other warlyke provisions, as he confesses he has done hitherto nor
shall the French in that case [acquire] by that warr any other right or title to the villages of the
Indians, but what they have long since purchased.

Was signed.

Franciscus Valiant Soc: Jesu.
Elambert Dumont.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 5^5

Governor Dongm^e third Paper to the French Agents.

[New-Tork Papers, B. II. 82.]

168S February
Gentlemen

You tell me that Mons"" Dumont understands the Mahicandes language if he asserts that
they have sayd what you have told me, I will beleeve him, however will refer it to any rational
man if I ought not to bee credited rather than an Indian —

What you mention concerninge the S"" art : of the treaty of the /j- of Nov'' 16S6. has not the
least relation to Maj'' Maggregory ettc : for first, I doe not allow the Ottowawas to bee the
French Kings subjects, but in case they were if you will examine the 6"' Art: of the same treaty
you will find it says it's lawfuU for the shipps and other vessels of either nation for refreshinge
themselves &c : to go into the harbours .and rivers of the other and thence to depart without
any hiuderance at there pleasure.

By the 5"" Art : it is true that it's expressed any shippe or vessell that shall bee found tradeing
contrary to the tenor of the Treaty shall be confiscated — But Major Macgreggory ettc. was not
found tradeing, but way-laid, took prisoners and there goods taken from them eight days
journey from the Ottowawas and its a very hard thinge that the Kinge of England's subjects
may not have as much libertie to travell in the woods in America as the most Xtian Kings. I
know the Ottowawas to be on the South side of the lake and that I should call them French
Indians must be an error, for on the contrary, I cannot beleeve the Govern' of Canada to have
any right to them.

Another thinge very materiall you bringe to my memorie for which I thank You is : that the
treaty was not come to my hands when Macgregory Rooseboom &c: went from hence, soe
that the French could not have any right either to take them prisoners or there goods from
them which makes mee demand the restitution of the goods or the valine of them.

What you remarke of the S"* Art: of the treaty is true but upon what pretence did you take
Macgregory — I am sure it was out of the Government of Canada, except a Frenchman by
tredding upon the earth makes itt belong to that Collony.

Itt is not so strange that by the same messenger I sent the copie of the treaty I should lett
Mons'' de Nonville know I would assist with amies ettc the Kings subjects unjustly attaqued by
the French, as for him to invade the King of England territories when I thought of nothinge
else but liveing peaceably and quietly with our neighbours.

Tho' thoes five nacons are barbarous in their manners and behavior, j'et they have submitted
themselves to be the Kinge of England's subjects, and as such I must protect them, as for the
words wild Indians they signifie people who owne no superioritie, and would you from the
3''^ Art : of the Treaty inferr it lawfuU for the Gover'' of Canada to give laws to the subjects
of the King of England in the Govern' of New Yorke ; I am certaine my master would take itt
very ill if I should suffer itt.

As for Major Magregory, hee was taken long before the Govern"' of Canada came near the
Sinnekes country, who I believe did wysely in not sending him to France, beinge one who
might have given that information to the French Kinge as would have vindicated my actions
and made him very much dissatisfied with Mons"" de Nonvilles proceedings, but what concernes
Major Magregory's pryvate behaviour is nothinge to the publicque, tho I beleeve it must bee
some extraordinary provocacon that should urge him to offer any rudenesse to a person in that
Captaines Circumstances.

526 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

What you would alleadge to justifie your taking our Indians prisoners contradicts itself, you
sayinge it was tiiat they might not discover the march of the french army and at the same lime
you affirm they made warr first, with you b}^ my instigation, tiie Indians were taken 3 month
before I came hither, and thees you pretend made warr with you came not against you before
November last by which you may perceive this to bee a mistake.

Gentlemen, thoes five nacons were free people and have possesed these lands for many
hundreds of years for ought wee know, and certainly as records makes itt appear severall years
before ever there was a house att Monte Reall, they have made themselves the Kinge of
England's subjects and desire his protection which without all doubt hee will grant them.

Your demand that the controversy of the limmitts ettc bee referred to our masters at home,
I am willinge, provided :

1. That before the last of May next the ifort or Forts att Onyagra be demolished.

2. That the goods taken be restored.

3. Tliat the Indians that are prisoners bee sett att liberty.

4. That the Indians who are sent for France bee as soon as possible delivered to the King of
England's Ambassador or agent at Parris if any bee there, or to the Secretary of State att
London that they may bee sent home to their country.

5. That theese Indians of the five nacons who are Christians att Canada and kept upp in a
fort there with guards uppon them may bee att free liberty to returne to their country if they
thinke fitt.

These are my masters commands to mee and as you represent Mons"' de Nonville, I make
those demands to you, My master is at great expence and neither your writinge to mee, nor
any replyinge without your complyance with this, will make any conclusion, which I desire
you to take as my last resolution.

As for the Ottowawas they are already sent home by my command and those prisoners who
are hear shall be sent to Canada so soon as the above demands are agreed uppon.

(was signed)

ThO : DONGAN.

Third Paper of the French Agents to Governor Dongan.

[Xew-Tork Papers, B. II. S4. ]

-h Febi-y 1688.
' I give you the last and a short answer to the complaints of Cover'' Dongan that wee may not
in vaine spend our time in unprofitable disputes.

Governour Dongan says tiiat he had power to send Major Maggregorys and others to the
Ottowawas, becaus hee does not acknowledge them for the subjects of the King of France, had
not wee the selfsame reason to say wee had power to build a fort on Niagara to make war with
the Indians, seing for better reasons wee do not acknowledge them for subjects of the King of
England.

It is true it is lawfLdl accordinge to the G"' Art: of the treaty of Newtrality for the shippsettc
of either nation to goe into tlie havens and rivers of tlie otiier to refresh themselfs, but by that

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 527

there is no right given to goe into thoes liavens and rivers to trade without leave of that nation,
that ISIajor Magregory and liis companions travelled to the Ottowawa to trade it is manifest (as
I sayd before), partly by their pass given by Cover'' Dongan, partly b)' their own confession
which was juridically recorded at the time and place where the French found them, partly what
happened the year before when the subjects of the King of England came to trade in the place
called Missillimakinak, wher they uttered many things injurious both, to the King of France
and the Collonie of Canada, the first comp. was mett withall three or four miles from
Missilimakinak, the second near the lake of Hurons in a place where the French have habitations
and plantacons.

The French had then no Right to seize iippon there goods by virtue of the treaty of newtrality,
which they had not yet seen but they had right by the law of nature, to hinder others from
Robing them of there own ; in the English copie of the treaty these words Wild Indians, were
interpreted by jNI"" Innis before R. P. Harrissou, as to signifie inhabitants of the woods and not
Christians, when AP Harrisson did presse that ■W3'lde Indians only signified Indyans that were
not under the Government and command of any prince, the Doctor absolutely denyed it, truly
it would bee a ridiculous article to forbid to assist such Indians as are not known or not
associates, for that case never happens therefore by that article it is prohibited to assist even
such as are associates or subjects.

Gov'^ Dongan says, my writiuge includes a contradiction, but witli his leave I tell him, hee
does not know the time when the French were taken or killed by the Chyugas Onnontagiis,
Oneydes, and Agnizez — these in the beginning of August carried away from Cataracwa
Madam Dolone with four others captive. Some days before that 10 Frenchmen were taken
or killed by the same Indians in a place called Lagalette and before the end of the same month
of August several French were partly taken, partly killed about the Island of INIont Royall ; in
all this I perceive noe contradiction seing the Indians were sent into France about the Month of
October — now concering your demands : You demand first ; the fort in Niagra to be demolished,
this cannot be granted, first because it is built there by the command of the Most Christian
Kinge and therefore it must bee demolished by his command :

Secondly, because it would not be reasonable to demolish it before there bee a generall peace,
since in the mean time wee have need of the fort to protect ourselfs from the Indians untill there
bee somethinge concluded concerning the limitts, this only I can declare and grant, that foresaid
fort does not give us any other right to thoes Indians, then what we pretend to have longe since.

Secondly, you demand restitution of the goods seeing they were legally seized upon in
our judgement, you may and ought to make use of the direction given in the 5"" Article of
haveing recours to the Kings, if you thinck there is any injustice committed, butt uppon that
account you may not either renew the warr or put a stop to peace.

Thirdly, you demand that the Christian Mohox deteyned in a fort with French gards uppon
them bee left to their libertie, what you mean by this I doe not well understand, for there are
no Christian Mohox deteyned in Canada — May bee j'ou desyre that the French souldiers about
200 in number who ly in garrison in the village of the foresaid Christian Indians to defend
them from Ennemis, should bee sent away and leave that village ungarded ; you may as well
demand that the great guns which are in the said village should also bee carried away ; but
with your leave I say, Cover"' De nonville has power without your consent within his own
Govern' to buit forts, to lay in Garrisons, to fortifye his places, and to doe other such lyke things
as hee pleases himselfe —

528 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

I repeat the same demand which I proposed last : —

1. The controversy of demolishinge the fort, of restoringe the goods of appointing the limits
ettc be left to the decission of both Kings.

2°. That there be a cessation of amies till all the Indians the assotiates and the subjects of
the French bee acquainted to make peace, which cannot bee concluded before 15. months.

3°. In the mean time lett on our syde some french with some Indians, and on your syde
some English appointed by you with some of the Moacks meet together to aggiee upon the
conditions of general peace.

4°. Lett there be att present a mutuall exchange of prisoners and as many as shall be d'd to
meet, I promise that I shall returne as many if it should not be possible to restore^ill before
conclusion of the general peace.

Lastly, I demand now that same things uppon the same conditions, which I assigned in my

last writeing, therefore I omit them hear.

Franciscus Vaillant. Soc : Jesu.
Elambert Dumont.

Gavetmor Dongan''s fourth Paper to the French Agents.

[New-York Papers, B. II. 80.]

16SS. February.

The regward 1 have to persous your character bears, obliges me to answer yours of the
T^ Inst: —

My demands you have already for which I have my master's orders.

I beleeve itt is as lawfuU for me to send to the Ottowawas as for the Governour of Canada,
but think itt very unjust in Mons"' Denonville either to build any fort at Onyagaro or to make
warr upon any of those five nations who had submitted themselves to be the King of England's
subjects.

If the sheeps fleece be the thing in dispute, pray lett the King of England have some part of
itt, especially by the owners consent, and R"* P' excuse me if I putt you in mind that God sends
his blessings with that which is well got. as touching the G"" Art: or any thing else in the
treaty of newtrality and which concerns ]\Iajor Maggregory I have answered sufficiently already
and for the first company thy were taken sixteen English miles from the Ottowawas, and that
Major Magregory was taken in a place where the French inhabit and improve the grounds,
pardon me if I say itt is a mistake except you will affirme that a few loose fellowes rambling
amongst Indians to keep themselves from starving gives the French a right to the Country.

I have that great respect for the sacred person of the most Christian King that if you can
judicially proove that any of the party you mencon have spoken words injurious of him as you
say they have I will take care that thy shall be severely punished.

Gentlemen — I find your cause is verry bad, otherwise you would not catch at every word
you hear to justify yourselve, tho' that, Gentl"% constructions of the word wild Indians is no
rule for my actions nor of any consequence in that affair.

Gentlemen — You write me more contradiction, for in one of your papers you tell me the

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 529

Indians began the warr witli you, and in your last you say itt was lawfull for you to begin the
warr upon them. You speake of Mad" Dolone, and of being taken in the month of August,
but passe by Mens"' Denonvilles burning the Sinnekes forts cutting down there corne and
building the fort at Onyagaro in July, and the poore Indians that you tooke trading with
yourselves, were taken in June. As to the fort at Onyagara the restitution of the goods, and
liberty of the prisoners I thank you for your advice, but have already taken those measures.
I sent a person to the King my Master, who has expressly commanded mee to make those
demands I have made and I do hereby again demand the same things of you, as you represent
the Govemour of Canada's person.

There are Christian Indians att Canada which have been drawn thither under pretext of
Religion, and belong to this Govern' who would return to their friends and country, if tliey
were not hindred by the French ; as for your forts, great gunns, and souidiers, provided they
keep themselves within the PVench King's territories, I do not concern myself with them.

Part of the Associate Indians subjects to His Maj'^ of England, are here, and are under God
the rightfull owner of severall lands and territories now in your possesion part of which is
Cataragque thy desire of me I would demand thatt itt be restored them.

Father, I am informed you have said and partly have heard itt from yourselve, that the
French King might have a title to this Country Virginia, Maryland and Carolina and your
reason is that some rivers which runs through those Countries come from the great lakes which
God and nature have placed just behind them and many hundred of leagues from Canada, also
that some rivers or rivoletts of this country run out into the great river of Canada — O just
God ! what new farr-fetched and unheard of pretence is this for a title to a country, the French
King may have as good a pretence to all those Countrys [that] drink clarett and Brandy.

Gent" lett the Gov of Canada do justice, and that is the way to propagate the Catholic faith
and to be upon a right understanding with this Govern' which are the things he pretends most
to desire.

Tho : DoxGAi>f.

Fourth Paper of the Frencli Agenl'i to Governor Dongan.

t New-York Papers, B. 11. S8. ]

if Febr'
Altho I have promised to answer no more yet there are some things remaineinge which
require an explication :

Gov"' Dongan requires a little part of the sheeps fleece to be granted to him, he shall have itt
all if the most Christian King will give his consent, nor ever shall there be any contention more
of that betwixt us and him, let him therefor ( I pray) observe what I have now often produced
out of the Treatty of newtrality, which in the l?"" Art : says thus : If there arises any contention
between the subjects of the said Kings in the Islands Colonies ettc of America, tiie peace
therefore which is estabUshed by the present treatty is not to be violated, but the commanders
or deputies in thoes places shall take cognisance of the said contention and peaceably compose
the same, if the said commanders or deputies shall not agree, lett the thinge be with the first
Vol. III. 67

ggjil NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

remitted to both tlie Kings, that right may be done in the manner as the Kings shall agree

upon hitherto tlie foresaid article. I do not doubt but tliat you have written to the King of

Eno-land at least concerninge the goods which were taken, and the warr which is begun with
the Sinnekes ( but I doubt whither the Kinge of great Britten has given you any answer
concerninge the fort at Niagra). wherefore he has written to you back againe an answer
conformable to what you proposed to him, you desired to know of him whither or no, the goods
being unjustly taken were to be demanded, whither or no the five nations beinge the subjects of
Eno-land and unjustly assaulted by the French were to be defended; but you did not propose
unto him as a question whither or noe thoes goods were unjustly taken ; whither or no the five
nations ar truly the subjects of England and these are the reasons of our contention; and if you
have received any answer to such queries, yet it does not appear that both Kings are agreed
amono- themselves, and this is the thinge which is required. You speake of a contradiction,
with your leave I must say you knew not to distinguish between the five nations, you said in
your paper that wee had began the warr with the Indians. I distinguished this ; I grant wee
did bet^ine the warr with the Sinnekes for the injuries which they had done both to us and to
our Indians ; but I denyed that wee did begine the warr with the other four nations which I did
proove with many reasons, where is in this the contradiction — why in the month of June
they were deteyned. I have before given my answer: Againe I say that in Canada no Christian
Mohox are kept captives, and this you know yourself out of the mouth of an Indian (besides
others), who is called Cakare, and was kept for 13. days in fetters in New Yorke contrarie to
the law of Nations, for he was come with libertie unto the Mohox to speak with them of
makeinge or confirminge peace, this Indian beinge asked whether in Canada the Christian
Mohox were att libertie, hee always answered he knew none that was detained, and that he
desired to returne thither againe for his religion sake. — What you say I should have affirmd
concerninge tlie titles of the Kinge of France to New Yorke, Virginia, Maryland, and Carolina,
and concerninge the reason of thoes titles, with your leave, I have aftirmed nothing concerninge
them. It is true I affirmed that in the year 1523. a Frenchman by name Verazon by virtue of
a grant given by the Kinge of France Francis the first, had possession of all the land lyinge
from 33 degrees to the 47 degree and that in the year 1564. two Frenchmen by name Laudoniere
and Ribault by the Authoritie of Charles the ninth then Kinge of France, did build in the place
called Carolina, which name they gave to that place from the name of the most Christian King
then reigning. Some inhabitants of this town and yourself objecting to mee that Hudsons
River runs from the north, and therefore the English Govern' is extended according to the course
of that river beyond the channell of the river — I made answer, if this were so it would follow
that Albany belongs to us for our river called Richely runs from the south accordinge to whoes
course if the lyne of Jurisdiction was to be extended, it would pass through tiie middle of
Albany, wherefore I did not absolutely aflirme that Albanie did belong to us, but I only shewed
what would follow if tliat argument of our antagonists was to bee allowed of. Thus much
hitherto beinge sayd.

This now I only demand accordinge to the 17. Art : of the treaty of Newtrality, lett all the
controversies be sent to the two Kings to bee decided by them both, and if GoV Dongan judges
itt necessary lett some Commissioners from both nation bee sent into Europe, that they might
informe the Kings of all Uie reasons of our discord, that they might peaceably make an agreement
haveing heard both parties, in the mean time lett all things remaine as they are and a cessation
of armes till tlie two Kings together agree and decide the difference, let Gov"" Dongan reflect if

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 531

bee pleases, first: that the nature of a cessation of amies is to be made uppon no condition,
otherwyse it would bee a peace and not a cessation of armes. Secondl3^ tliat hee demands
such things, which hee would demand if the French were reduced to the last extremity, but
thro' the help of God they are not come so farr. Thirdly, that hee only threatens the warr,
seinge the Indians have proposed to have peace only upon that condition that the captives be
mutually restored. You must forgive mee if I tell you that God will not blesse an unjust warr,
and whither it bee just you may know if you please but to attend to the Treaty of Newtrality.
Fourthly : if the difficulty be either about the fort of Niagara, I promis it shall bee distroyed
when the general peace shall be concluded within the space of 15 months, or about the restitution
of the goods, and you will not have recourse to the Kings councell in the manner prescrybed in
the treatty of Newtralitie, you may recompense yourself this way by demandinge for yourself
the two hondred bevor skins and other things of the Sinnekes which they without any right did
take from the French even in places most remote from the land of the live nations. And these
things I doe over and above grant, that I may not seem to be a stopp to the peace, and that all
may see, if at last (which God avert), the inhabitants of Canada should enter a fight with the
English of New Yorke, that they fight unwillingly and beinge provoked.

In fine, there seems nothinge to bee layd to my charge and I have granted several things
beyond the limits of my power, which things notwithstandinge I promise they shall be approved
of, and ratified by Gov' Denonville. I have nothinge more to grant or to demand butt that wee
may returne with the first home with joy if you comply with our desires, butt with sorrow if
you deny so just requests, to a witnesse of which request I cal God the just judge.

Franciscus Valiant, Soc: Jesu.

Governor Dongan^s last Paper to the French Agents.

[New-Tork Papers, B. H. 90.]

February. 16SS.

As to what concernes the treaty of Newtrallity I have made answer allredie and doe agree to
the 17. Art: provided Mons"' Denonville will have every thinge as they were when thoes articles
were signed.

What I have written to the Kinge my Master, I best know and if I should demand any
thinge contrary to my orders I am answerable to him for it.

For the legalitie of takeing the goods I have answered that question formerly and for the -5
nations of Indians beinge the Kinge of Englands subjects, I know no better judges then
themselves, and very ancient records of there submission which is a very just title and farr
better then that of yours (of a poore Frenchmans goeinge with a pack upon his back), to
Onyagro.

I very well distinguish the five nations but under favour must tell you whenever you make
warr uppon any part of this Government the warr is made uppon the whole — Truly Rev"
Father if Kakare tould you I enquired about Christian Indians of this Government His Majes'
subjects deteyned at Canada, hee abused you for I did not hear of any that were till hee was
gone, but since I am informed they are under restraint with guards uppon them on pretence of

^g NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

defendinge them from there Ennemies, which ennemies as you terms them are noe other but
there owue frieuds and relacons who desire there returne to there country ; and in my opinion
its very just that thoes who are willinge to come should, and for thoes who desire to stay let
them in God's name — As for what you mention in the time of Francis the first, I leave to our
records at home which I am sure will clear that point, and as for Carollina beinge named from
Charles the ninth I beleeve its a mistake, but supose itt so called from Charles the S""* late King
of England who granted the same to the Duke of Albemarle the Earle of Craven and other
persons of qualitie in England.

I have sent one to give my master an account of the Gov"' of Canada's proceedings upon
which I have received his commands to demand what I have already done. — What I require is
only justice and I thinke it very unreasonable in you to deny itt, I know the French King is
soo just a Prince, that hee will not desyre anythinge belongs to the King of England, especially
haveinge no better title to itt than you have as yet made known he has to Onyagra.

I nether threaten or desire warr, nor will refuse it if forced upon mee, but Father, would you
have mee sit still and see the Gov'' of Canada kill my Masters subjects, burne and build forts in
his countries, this would bee mean and contrary to the trust reposed in mee by the King of
England.

Lett me tell you Rev'' Fatlier, I will have satisfaction to the utmost farthinge for what has
been taken and if the Sinnekes ows you two houdred bevors they shall pay you.

When you grant what is demanded of you, then the Gov' of New Yorke and you will bee
upon a good understandinge.

Gentlemen — I thouglit not to have given you any further truble, but that the representatives
of thoes five nations of Indians my masters subjects have been witli mee this morniuge and
desire I would add to my demands That the forts at Quadaracqui and Tircksarondia may bee
demolished and that the prisoners whoes names are underwritten may be delivered to ]\P
Wessell who will see you safe at Canada in exchange for thoes you take with you from hence,
it will bee a means that the rest among the Indians may bee with more ease gott from them.

Names of the Caj^tive Indians.

Wakashandonga \ Eskanonde ]

Carhoharen )-Onondagos. Cachnarundy xOneydes

Inthorea ) Anowarre )

Techannarissen )

A 1 ■ 1 ^ r Chuiiugers.

Awandanssachtoen j •' ^

Tho : DONGAN.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. S83

Propositions of Governor Dongan to the Six Nations.

[Xcw-Tork Papers, B. II. 9-/.]

8. Febry IGSf
Bretheren.

The messenger that I sent into England to lett my Master know of the French invadeinge
the Sinneks country, uppon which the Kinge has sent mee full orders to protect you and to
raise as many men as I shall think necessary for your assistance, and alsoo ordered mee to
demand of the Gov' of Cannada all your prisoners that the French have taken and the goods
they have taken from the Christians and alsoo to deliver to the French what prisoners wee had
of thers which is the custome amongst Christians for hee is resolved that the French shall have
nothing to doe with your lands or conquests ; before that came to mee, the Governour of Canada
sent the priest and another Gentleman to treat with mee and several papers have past between
us and the contents of them are as follows —

First I demanded of him all the prisoners that are now in Canada and those that are sent
into France; and to bee sent back againe, all those goods taken from the Christians and Indians,
to break down the fort att Ouyagra, and the Christian Indians who are kept in a fort at Canada
with guards, may bee at there liberty to come to there country if they please.

1". They demand satisfaction for the affront done to them as Ambassidors uppon there way
hither by the Mahillendras [ Mahikanders.]

2'"'. They say they tooke your prisoners for fear of discoveringe of the Fench armies march
towards the Senneks, and now that they keep them because they ai'e there ennemies.

3''''. They say they look upon you not as the Kinge of England's subjects but as rebells to
them by reason they have purchased the land long ago from you.

4"". They pretend they have built the fort at Onyagra to secure their people from your doinge
them any harme when they are a tradeinge, but I know it is false it is merely for the trade and
to keep possession of your lands, alsoo they desire farther that the difference between us be
left to the decision of our two masters at home, and a cessation of amies for 15 months time,
to see what our masters doe in the businesse and they desire alsoo tlie restitution of all th» ir
prisoners and they will restore ours, these are the material heads of what they say, the rest are
all foolish stories and lyes of you.

Now Bretheren you see how the Kinge of England has adopted you his children, and will
protect you, to the purpose he has sent me orders to raise men to assist you, you see on the
other syde what the French desire, now I leave it to yourselfs to consider whether you will
continue the warr or concent to the cessation of 15 months and the fort of Onyagra to stand or
els to continue the warr and I to joyne with you with what power will be necessary —
Therefore, consider seriously of this and give me your oppinions that I may take measures
accordingly.

1^ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Ayiswer of the Six Kations to Governor Dongan.

[Xew-Tork Tapers, B. II. 94]

IS*" Febry, 16SS.
We Sachims of all the si.x nation.s that are come here upon your Excell : commands and doe
returne your E.xcell : our hearty thanks for imparting to us the joyful news contained in His
Majes"' most gracious letter, whereby we see that His Maj"^ doth resent the acts of the French,
and takes us into his Royall protection, you are likewise pleased to communicate to us all the
papers that have passed between your Excell: and the French priest now here, referringe the
businesse to us to give our opinions as being most concerned ; now wee see nothing is hid from
us, and tho' we can not say but your Excell : has hitherto dealt always very candidly with us,
yet tl»s seems like a new great light appearing which Illuminates us all.

Your Excell: as being our great King's Gov"" here have a great deal of right of demandinge
the forts lately built by the French to be demolished, the goods taken from our people and our
prisoners to be restored, for the French can have no title to those places which they possesse,
nay not to Cadarachqui and Mount Roj'all nor none of our lands towards the Ottowawas,
Dionondades, Twichtvvichs ; for by what means can they pretend them, because they came to
the INIaquase country formerly and now laterly to the Sinnekes country and burnt some bark
houses and cut downe our corne — if that be a good title then we can claim all Canida, for we
not only did soe, but subdued whole nations of Indians that liv'd there, and demolished there
castles in so much, that now great oake trees grow where they were built, and afterwards we
plyed the French home in the warr with them, that they were not able to goe over a door to
pisse. Wee are the just and rightfuU owners of all our lands and these which the French now
pretend, which we have long since given and granted to the King of England, and now his
Excell : who represent His Maj'"^ sacred person is the owner of those lands and must not suffer
any encroachment upon the great King of England's territories.

Wee doe againe returne your Excell : thanks for referring the consideration of the three art :
to us we have maturely deliberate upon them.

The Gov'' of Canida hath basely begun an unjust warr upon us — 'tis true we have had in
former times a sort of friendship with the French, but it was held by the left hand, which is
now wholly broke by shedding the blood of so many of our people ; but the covenant chain
with your Excell : has always been kept in our right hand fast and firm, and wee renew the
chain that it may be so strong and lasting not to be shaked by any thing whatever —

Tis true wee Onnondages must confesse have had some discourse with the french priest at
Cadarachqui which we did witli a design to get our prisoners back again, but now since we
see that hath not taken effect, we leave off" ever thinking to medle with the French any more
and referr that businesse wholly to his Excell : to procure these prisoners. —

They repeat the demaunds of haveing the forts demolished, the goods restored, and the
prisoners set at liberty, and tlie praying Indians at Canida without constraint, which we desyre
his Excell: may use his utmost endevors to have accomplished in a friendly way — But if the
Governour of Canida will not concede and consent to the said articles, then he is the occassion
of the continuation of the warr and not wee — We fear him not though he is a great deal more
powerfull than wee, but he iiaveing an unjust cause the Great God that lives in heaven, which
the French priest told us was a just and righteous God, he knows our innocence and will
punish him and judge of his ill actions — let not any french fort be kept on the lake or above

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 535

it, for if you suffer but oue, nay Cadarachqui or any of tliem, we sliall be in a manner
continually besieged, and deprived of our Bever hunting ; you see how perfidious and
treacherous the French are, and therefore let them have no footing in any of our lands which
are the great King of England's territories.

And to conclude wee leave the whole businesse to your Excell : to manage the same as you
shall see convenient, either for peace or war wee will stand to whatever his Excell : our great
King's Gov"' doth, only we desire that you will please to communicate to us what the French
agents will doe in the case, and then shall give our answer to what you proposed about our
removing hither with our wifes and children to plant corne.

After the propositions were over the Capt"" of the Onnondages called Canadgegai, told his
Excell : that Madam Toulon who was taken at Cadarachqui meeting him upon the street, said
shee was glad to see him and invited him to a house to give him bread and comeing in found
father Valiant there, who was desyreous to discourse with him ; what will you discourse says
the Indian, doe you speak first, whereupon the Priest askd how it was with the five nations,
and how they were inclined, what says the Capt"' doe you ask me, how it is with them when
you daily converse with his Excell: who is there head, I should rather ask you how affares
goe, that lies been so long in agitation witli him, to whom he referred all things, and whose
commands we only will obey or doe you intend to pump me.
Copia vera.

(Signed) Rob' Livingston.

Governor DongaiUs Reply to the Six Nations.

[2Jew-Tork Papers, B. II. 98.]

13 Febry 1688.
Bretheren.

That you have been together and considered upon thoes heads that I prosed to you the last
time when we were together, I am glad of it, tis done like wyse men and doe give yon my
hearty thanks for the confidence you put in me ; I assure you that I will make no use of
that but what shall tend to all our safeties —

I have write very kind things of you to my master and is very well satisfied with it as you
see by his commands, hee is the greatest man that the sunn shines uppon hee never told a ly in
his life nor promised but what he performed, he has given you his Royall word to protect you
and I am sure hee will do it, heer is now a meetinge of the wisest men of the five nations the
lyke probably never been before in this towne and of there due consideration of affairs, I
doubt not — you know my Master now joynes with you and will bee at vast charges if the warr
goes on, therefore I think very necessary since wee are all together to linck the covenant chaine
soo fast that all the art of man cannot break it assunder, therefore I desire that you may give
mee assurance if the warr goes on that none will make peace or warr but by the consent of all,
and that if in case any would bee soo cowardly [as to do so] without the consent of us all, that
all wee that did not consent to it may take up the hatchett against them and distroy them —
when you agree to this I will propose rules and methods, whereby wee anoy our Ennemies and
preserve our wyfes and children our lands and our honour which is deerer to us than all the rest. —

536 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Additional J^ropoi'itions of the Six JVations to Governor Dongan.

[New-York Papers, B. II. 100.]

IG"- Febr'' 1688.

(They say), that they have heard from time to time from His Excell: the propositions that
have passed between His Excell: and the Father, and for which they give him thanks as alsoo
for desiringe ther opinion upon the whole matter and they further doe declare that as they have
formerly by there old covenant obliged themselves soo they are the same still and united as one
heart doe wholly referr themselves to His Excell: who represents the person of the great King
of England to doe for the good of themselves as the Govern' what he shall think fitt, for they
can not trust to the Governour of Canada his heart not beinge good.

What has the father to doe to examine whether they are His Majesty's subjects or not, wee
have been so time out of minde and always united to this Govern', let the Gover"^ goe forwards
and remove the French from Onyagra, Cataracque and Tyschsarondia which is the place where
wee goe a beaver himtinge for if thoes forts continew in the French hands wee are always
besieged. —

What relates to the 15 months cessation wee can not see through it, it is only to blind us and
to take us at a greater advantage, as for paying the two hundred beavors, wee are now in warr,
what wee have promised wee willingly will peribrme but let them first restore the prisoners
and goods which they robb'd in peace and in could blood for which wee desire His Excell: to
use his utmost indevors as well as for the removinge the forts — Also wee desire tliat the
beavors and other goods which weer taken from our people at Catarachqua when we came
from beavor huntinge may bee restored, which people are now in France and at Canada,
Concerninge the exchanginge of prisoners, they desire it may be in forty days but if that time
is to short leeve the consideration of it to His Excell: as for the Indian that is prisoner here
his friends and relations doe not desire bee should bee at liberty but bee sent to New Yorke. —

Replied :
The Governour thanks them for referringe every thinge to him —

Miiiute of Certain Commissions jya^ssed the Oreat Seal.

[Ncw-Tork Eutry, — . 187.]

Mem:"*"" The 7"' April 1688 a Comission passed the Great Seale appointing S' Edmond
Andros Capt" Gen" and Governour in Chief of the Massachusetts Bay, New

EnsidVoi2d Plymouth, new Hampshire, Main, the Narraganset Country, Road Island

Connecticut, Now York and East @ West Jersey, and of all the Continent in

America from 40: Deg: No: Lat: to the River of St. Croix (Pensilvania @ Delaware excepted)

by the name as fonnerly of New England.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. S^T

wAoUhrs. And on the 20"" Aprill 1688 a Commission is granted to Capt" Francis Nicholson

I-,ncl<! vol 2d * or

P"^^- appoints liim Lieutenant Gov"' of New England with Directions to observe such

orders as he shall receive from the Chief Gov'' of New England.

Commission of /Sir Ednnind Andros.

[New England, XXXIII. 3S1.]

James the Second by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland France and Ireland
Defender of the Faith &c. To our trusty and welbeloved S'' Edmund Andros Kn' Greeting:
Whereas by our Commission under our Great Seal of England bearing date the third day of
June in the second year of our reign wee have constituted and appointed you to be our Captain
Generall and Governor in Cheif in and over all that part of our territory and dominion of New
England in America known by the names of our Colony of the Massachusets Bay, our Colony
of New Plymouth, our Provinces of New Hampshire and Main and the Narraganset Country
or King's Province. And whereas since that time Wee have thought it necessary for our
service and for the better protection and security of our subjects in those parts to join and
annex to our said Government the neighboring Colonies of Road Island and Connecticutt, our
Province of New York and East and West Jersey, with the territories thereunto belonging, as
wee do hereby join annex and unite the same to our said government and dominion of New
England. Wee therefore reposing especiall trust and confidence in the prudence courage and
loyalty of you the said Sir Edmund Andros, out of our especiall grace certain knowledge and
meer motion, have thought fit to constitute and appoint as wee do by these presents constitute
and appoint you the said S"" Edmund Andros to be our Captain Generall and Governor in Cheif
in and over our Colonies of the Massachusets Bay and New Plymouth, our Provinces of New
Hampshire and Main, the Narraganset country or King's Province, our Colonys of Road Island
and Connecticutt, our Province of New York and East and West Jersey, and of all that tract
of land circuit continent precincts and limits in America lying and being in breadth from forty
degrees of Northern latitude from the Equinoctiall Line to the River of S' Croix Eastward, and
from thence directly Northward to the River of Canada, and in lenght and longitude by all the
breadth aforesaid throughout the main land from the Atlantick or Western Sea or Ocean on the -
East part, to the South Sea on the West part, with all the Islands, Seas, Rivers, waters, rights,
members, and appurtenances, thereunto belonging (our province of Pensilvania and country of
Delaware only excepted), to be called and known as formerly by the name and title of our '
territory and dominion of New England in America.

And for your better guidance and direction Wee doe hereby require and command you to do
& execute all things in due manner that shall belong unto the said office and the trust wee have
reposed in you, according to the severall powers instructions and authoritys mentioned in these
presents, or such further powers instructions and authoritys as you shall herewith receive or
which shall at any time hereafter be granted or appointed you under our signet and sign
manual or by our order in our Privy Councill and according to such reasonable lawes and
V'oL. III. 68

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

statutes as are now in force or such others as shall hereafter he made and established within
our territory & dominion aforesaid.

And our will and pleasure is that you the said S'' Edmund Andros having, after publication
of these our Letters Patents, first taken the Oath of duly executing the office of our Captain
Generall and Governor in Cheif of our said territory and dominion, which our Couucill there
or any three of them are hereby required authorized and impowered to give and administer
unto you, you shall adminster unto each of the members of our Councill the Oath for the due
execution of their places and trusts.

And Wee do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority to suspend any member
of our Councill from sitting voting and assisting therein, as you shall find just cause for so doing.

And if it shall hereafter at any time happen that by the death, departure out of our said
territory, or suspension of any of our Counselors, or otherwise, there shall be a vacancy in our
said Councill, (any five whereof wee do hereby appoint to be a Quorum) Our will and pleasure is
that you signify the same unto us by the first opportunity, that Wee may under our Signet and
Sign Manuall constitute and appoint others in their room.

And Wee do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority, by and with the
advice and consent of our said Councill or the major part of them, to make constitute and
ordain lawes statutes and ordinances for the public peace welfare and good governm' of our said
territory & dominion and of the people and inhabitants thereof, and such others as shall resort
thereto, and for the benefit of us, our heires and successors. Which said lawes statutes and
ordinances are to be, as near as conveniently may be, agreeable to the lawes & statutes of this
our kingdom of England : Provided that all such lawes statutes and ordinances of what nature
or duration soever, be within three months, or sooner, after the making of the same, transmitted
unto Us, under our Seal of JVew England, for our allowance or disapprobation of them, as also
duplicates thereof by the next conveyance.

And Wee do by these presents give and grant unto you full power and authority by and with
the advice and consent of our said Councill, or the major part of them, to impose assess and raise
and levy such rates and taxes as you shall find necessary for the support of the government within
our territory and dominion of New England, to be collected and levyed and to be imployed to
the uses aforesaid in such manner as to you & our said Councill or the major part of them shall
seem most equall and reasonable.

And for the better supporting the charge of the governm' of our said Territory and
Dominion, our will and pleasure is, and wee do be these presents authorize and impower you
the s*" S"" Edmund Andros and our Councill, to continue such taxes and impositions as are now
laid and imposed upon the Inhabitants thereof ; and to levy and distribute or cause the same to
be levyed and distributed to those ends in the best and most equall manner, untill you shall by
& with the advice and consent of our Councill agree on and settle such other taxes as shall be
sufficient for the support of our government there, which are to be applied to that use and
110 other.

And our further will and pleasure is, that all publick money raised or to be raised or appointed
for the support of the government within our said territory and dominion be issued out by
warrant or order from you by & with the advice and consent of our Councill as aforesaid.

And our will and pleasure is that you shall and may keep and use our Seal appointed by Us
for our saiddJifritory and dominion.

And wee do by these presents ordain constitute and appoint you or the Commander in Cheif

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 539

for the time being, and the Council! of our said territory & dominion for the time being, to be
a constant and setled Court of Record for y'^ administration of justice to all our subjects
inhabiting within our said Territory and Dominion, in all causes aswell civill as criminall with
full power and authority to hold pleas in all cases, from time to time, as well in Pleas of tiie
Crown and in all matters relateing to the conservation of the peace and punishment of offenders,
as in Civill causes and actions between party and party, or between us and any of our subjects
there, whether the same do concerne the realty and relate to any right of freehold & inheritance
or whether the same do concerne the personalty and relate to matter of debt contract damage
or other personal! injury; and also in all mixt actions which may concern both realty and
personalty ; and therein after due and orderly proceeding and deliberate hearing of both sides,
to give judgement and to award execution, aswell in criminall as in Civill cases as aforesaid, so as
always that the forms of proceedings in such cases and the judgement thereupon to be given,
be as consonant and agreeable to the lavves and statutes of this our realm of England as the
present state and condition of our subjects inhabiting within our said Territory and Dominion
and the circumstances of the place wnll admitt.

And Wee do further hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority with the advice
and consent of our said Councill to erect constitute and establish such and so many Courts of
Judicature and public Justice within our said Territory and Dominion as you and they shall
think fitt and necessary for the determining of all causes aswell Criminall as Civill according
to law and equitjs and for awarding of execution thereupon, with all reasonable and necessary
powers authorities fees and privileges belonging unto them.

And Wee do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority to constitute and
appoint Judges and in cases requisite Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer, Justices of the
Peace, SherifTs, & all other necessary Officers and Ministers within our said Territory, for the
better administration of Justice and putting the lavves in execution, & to administer such oath
and oaths as are usually given for the due execution and performance of offices and places and
for the cleering of truth in judicial! causes.

And our further will and pleasure is and Wee doe hereby declare that all actings and
proceedings at law or equity heretofore had or don or now depending within any of the courts
of our said Territory, and all executions thereupon, be hereby confirmed and continued so farr
forth as not to be avoided for want of any legall power in the said Courts ; but that all and
every such judiciall actings, proceeding, and execution sliall be of the same force effect and
virtue as if such Courts had acted by a just and legall authority.

And wee do further by these presents will and require you to permit Appeals to be made in
cases of Error from our Courts in our said Territory and Dominion of New England unto you,
or the Commander in Cheif for the time being and the Councill, in Civill causes: Provided the
value appealed for do exceed the sum of one hundred pounds sterling, and that security be first
duly given by the Appellant to answer such charges as shall be awarded in case the first sentence
shall be affirmed.

And whereas Wee judge it necessary that all our subjects may have liberty to Appeal to our
Royall Person in cases that may require the same: Our will and pleasure is that if either party
shall not rest satisfied with the judgement or sentence of you (or the Commander in Cheif for
the time being) and the Councill, they may Appeal unto Us in our Privy Councill: Provided
the matter in difference exceed the value and summ of three hundred pounds ster^ and that such
Appeal be made within one fortnight after sentence, and that security be likewise duly given by

0^ NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the Appellant to answer such charges as shall be awarded in case the sentence of you (or the
Commander in Cheif for the time being) and the Councill be confirmed; and provided also that
execution be not suspended by reason of any such appeal unto us.

And Wee do hereby give and grant unto you full power where you shall see cause and shall
judge any offender or offenders in capitall and criminall matters, or for any fines or forfeitures
due unto us, fit objects of our mercy, to pardon such offenders and to remitt such fines &
forfeitures, treason and willfuU murder only excepted, in which case you shall likewdse have
power upon extraordinary occasions to grant reprieves to the offenders therein untill and to the
intent our pleasure may be further known.

And Wee doe hereby give and grant unto you the said S"' Edm"* Andros by your self your
Captains and Commanders, by you to be authorized, full power and authority to levy arme
muster command or imploy, all persons whatsoever residing within our said Territory and
Dominion of New England, and, as occasion shall serve, them to trausferr from one place to
another for the resisting and withstanding all enemies pirats and rebells, both at land and sea,
and to trausferr such forces to any of our Plantations in America or the Territories thereunto
belonging, as occasion shall require for the defence of the same against the invasion or attempt
of any of our enemies, and them, if occasion shall require to pursue and prosecute in or out of
the limits of our said Territories and Plantations or any of them. And if it shall so please God,
them to vanquish ; and, being taken, according to the law of arms to put to death or keep and
preserve alive, at your discretion. And also to execute martiall law in time of invasion
insurrection or warr, and during the continuance of the same, and upon soldiers in pay, and to
do and execute all and every other thing which to a Captain Generall doth or ought of right to
belong, as fully and amply as any our Captain Generall doth or hath usually don.

And Wee do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority to erect raise and build
within our Territory and Dominion aforesaid, such and so many forts platlbrmes. Castles, cities,
boroughs, towns, and fortifications as you shall judge necessary ; and the same or any of them
to fortify and furnish with ordnance ammunition and all sorts of armes fit and necessary for the
security & defence of our said territory ; and the same again or any of them to demolish or
dismantle as may be most convenient.

And Wee do hereby give and grant unto you the said S'' Edmund Andros full power and
authority to erect one or more Court or Courts Admirall within our said Territory and Dominion,
for the hearing and determining of all marine and other causes and matters proper therein to be
heard & determined, with all reasonable and necessary powers, authorities fees and priviledges.

And you are to execute all powers belonging to the place and office of Vice Admirall of and
in all the seas and coasts about your Government ; according to such commission authority and
instructions as you shall receive from ourself under the Seal of our Admiralty or from our High
Admirall of our Forreign Plantations for the time being.

And forasmuch as divers mutinies & disorders do happen by persons shipped and imployed
at Sea, and to the end that such as shall be shipped or imployed at Sea may be the better
governd and ordered ; Wee do hereby give and grant unto you the said S"" Edmund Andros our
Captain Generall and Governor in Cheif, full power and authority to constitute and appoint
Captains, Masters of Ships, and other Commanders, and to grant unto such Captains Masters
of Shipps and other Commanders, commissions to execute the law martial, and to use such
proceedings authorities, punishment, correction and execution upon any offender or offenders
who shall be mutinous seditious, disorderly or any way unruly either at sea or during the

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI.

time of their abode or residence in any of the ports liarbors or bays of our said Territory
and Dominion, as the cause sliall be found to require, according to martial law. Provided that
nothing lierein conteined shall be construed to the enabling you or any by your authority to
hold plea or have jurisdiction of any ofttince cause matter or thing committed or don upon the
sea or within any of the havens, rivers, or creeks of our said Territory and Dominion under
your government, by any Captain Commander Lieutenant Master or other officer seaman soldier
or person whatsoever, who shall be in actuall service and pay in and on board any of our shipps
of Warr or other vessells acting by immediat commission or warrant from our self under the
Seal of our Admiralty, or from our High Admirall of England for the time being : but that such
Captain Commander Lieu' Master officer seaman soldier and other person so ofiendiug shall
be left to be proceeded against and tryed, as the meritt of their ottiinces shall require, either by
Conmiission under our Great Seal of England as the statute of 28 Henry VHI directs, or by
commission from our said High Admirall, according to the Act of Parliament passed in the IS""
year of the raign of the late King our most dear and most intirely beloved brother of ever
blessed memory (entituled An Act for the establishing articles and Orders for the regulating and
better governm' of His Ma'^' navys, shipps of warr, and Forces by sea) and not otherwise.
Saving only, that it shall and may be lawfuU for you, upon such Captains or Commanders
refusing or neglecting to execute, or upon his negligent or undue execution of any the written
orders he shall receive from you for our service, & the service of our said Territory and
Dominion, to suspend him the said Captain or Commander from the exercise of the said office
of Commander and commit him into safe custody, either on board his own ship or elswhere,
at the discretion of you, in order to his being brought to answer for the same by commission
either under our Great Seal of England or i'rom our said High Admirall as is before expressed.
In which case our will and pleasure is that the Captain or Commander so by you suspended
shall during such his suspension and committm' be succeeded in his said office, by such
commission or Warrant Officer of our said ship appointed by our self or our High Admirall for
the time being, as by the known practice and discipline of our Navy doth and ought next to
succeed him, as in case of death sickness or other ordinary disability hapning to the
Commander of any of our ships & not otherwise ; you standing also accountable to us for the
truth & importance of the crimes and misdemeanors for which you shall so proceed to the
suspending of such our said Captain or Conmiander. Provided also that all disorders and
misdemeanors committed on shore by any Captain Commander, Lieuten', INIaster, or other
officer seaman soldier or person whatsoever belonging to any of our ships of warr or other
vessells acting by immediat commission or warr' from our self under the Great Seal of our
Admiralty or from our High Adm" of England for the time being may be tryed & punished
according to lawes of the place where any such disorders offisnces and misdemeanors shall be so
committed on shore, notwithstanding such offijnder be in our actuall service and borne in our
pay on board any such our shipps of warr or other vessells acting by immediate Commission or
warrant from our self or our High Admirall as aforesaid ; so as he shall not receive any
protection (for the avoiding of justice for such offences committed on shore) from any pretence
of his being imployed in our service at sea.

And Wee do likewise give and grant unto you full power and authority by and with the
advice and consent of our said Councill to agree with the planters and inhabitants of our said
Territory and Dominion concerning such lands tenements & hereditaments as now are or
hereafter shall be in our power to dispose of, and them to grant unto any person or persons for

542 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

such termes and under such moderai Quit Rents, Services and acknowledgements to be
thereupon reserved unto us as shall be appointed by us. Wliich said grants are to pass and be
sealed by our Seal of New England and ( being entred upon record by such officer or officers as you
shall appoint thereunto, shall be good and effectuall in hiw against us, our heires and successors.

And Wee do give you full power and authority to appoint so many faires martes and markets
as you with the advice of the said Councill shall think fitt.

As likewise to order and appoint within our said Territory such and so many ports harbors,
bayes havens and other places for the convenience and security of shipping, and for the better
loading and unloading of goods and merchandize as by you with the advice and consent of our
Councill shall be thought fitt and necessary ; and in them or any of them to erect nominat and
appoint Custom houses ware houses and officers relating thereunto ; and them to alter change,
place, or displace from time to time, as with the advice aforesaid shall be thought fitt.

And forasmuch as pursuant to the lawes & customes of our Colony of the Massachusetts Bay
and of our other Colonies and Provinces aforementioned, divers marriages have been made and
performed by the Magstrats of our said territory ; Our ro)' all will and pleasure is hereby to
confirm all the said marriages and to direct that they be held good and valid in the same manner
to all intents and purposes whatsoever as if they had been made and contracted according to
the lawes establisiied within our kingdom of England.

And Wee do iiereby require and command all officers and ministers, civill and military and
all other inhabitants of our said Territory and Dominion to be obedient aiding and assisting
imto you the said S'' Edm"" Andros in tlie execution of this our commission and of the powers
and authorityes therein conteined, and upon your death or absence out of our said Territory
unto our Lieut. Governor, to whom wee do therefore by these presents give and grant all and
singular the powers and autiiorityes aforesaid to be exercised and enjoj'ed by him in case of
your death or absence during our pleasure, or untill your arrivall within our said Territory and
Dominion ; as Wee do further hereby give and grant full power and authority to our Lieut.
Governor to do and execute whatsoever he shall be by you authorized and appointed to do and
execute, in pursuance of and according to the powers and authoritys granted to you by this
Commission.

And if in case of your death or absence there be no person upon the place, appointed by us
to be Commander in Cheif ; our will and pleasure is, that the then present Councill of our
Territory aforesaid, do take upon them the administration of the Governm' and execute this
commission and the severall powers and authoritys herein conteined ; and that the first Counselor
who shall be at the time of yo'' death or absence residing within the same, do preside in our
said Councill, with such powers and preheminencies as any former President hath used and
enjoyed within our said territory, or any other our plantations in America, untill our pleasure
be further known, or your arrivall as aforesaid.

And lastly, our will and pleasure is that you the said S' Edmund Andros shall and may hold
exercise and enjoy the office and place of Captain Generall and Governor in Cheif in and over
our Territory and Dominion aforesaid, with all its rights members and appurtenances whatsoever,
together vdth all and singular the powers and authorityes hereby granted unto you, for and
daring our will and pleasure.

In Witness whereof Wee have caused these our letters to be made Patents. Witness our self
at Westminster the seventh day of Aprill in the fourth year of our raign. [1688.]
By Writ of Privy Seal

Clerke.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 543,

Iii'Hti'uctions for Sir Edmund Andros.

[New England, XXXIH. 892.]

Instructions to our trusty and welbeloved S"" Edmund Andros Kn' our Captain
Generall and Governor in Clieif in and over our Territory and Dominion of
New England in America.

With these our Instructions you will receive our Commission under our Great Seal of England
constituting you our Captain Generall & Governor in Cheif in and over our Colonies of the
Massachusetts Bay and New Plymouth, our Province of New Hampshire and Main, the
Narraganset Country or King's Province, our Colonies of Road Island and Connecticutt, our
Province of New York and East and West Jersey, and of all that tract of land circuit continent
precincts and limits in America lying and being in breadth from Forty Degrees of Northern
Latitude from the Equinoctiall Line to the River St. Croix Eastward, and from thence directly
Northward to the River of Canada and in length and longitude by all the bredth aforesaid
throughout the Main Land from the Atlantic or Western Sea and Ocean on tlie East part, to the
South Sea on the West part ; with all the islands seas rivers waters, rights members and
appurtenances thereunto belonging (our I'rovince of Pensylvania and country of Delaware only
excepted), to be called and known as formerly by the name and title of our Territory and
Dominion of New England in America.

And you are accordingly forthwith to take upon you the execution of the place and trust Wee
have reposed in you, and with all convenient speed to call together the Members of the Councill
by name Joseph Dudley, William Staughton Robert Mason Anthony Brockholls Thomas
Hinckley, Walter Clark, Robert Treat John Fitz Winthorp, John Nicholson, Frederick Philips,
Jervis Baxter, John Pinchon, Peter Buckley, Wait Winthorp, Richard Wharton, Stephen
Courtland, John Usher, Bartholomew Gidiiey, Jonathan Ting, John Hincks, Edward Ting,
Baniaby Lathrop, John Sandford, William Bradford, Daniel Smith, Edward Randolph, John
Spragg, John Walley, Nathaniel Gierke John Coxhill, Walter Newberry, John Green, Richard
Arnold, John Alborough, Samuel Shrimpton, John Young, Nicholas Bayard, John Palmer,
William Brown Junior, Simon Linds, Richard Smith, and John Allen, Esquires. At which
meeting after having published our said Commission or Letters Patents, constituting you our
Captain Generall and Governor in Cheif of our said Territory and Dominion, you shall (after
first taken the like Oath your self) administer to the Members of our Councill, the Oath for the
due execution of their places and trusts.

And your are to communicate unto our said Councill from time to time such and so many of
our instructions as you shall find convenient for our service to be imparted unto them.

And you are to permit the Members of our Councill to have and enjoy the freedom of debate
and votes in all things to be debated by them.

And although by our Commission aforesaid Wee have thought fit to direct that any five of
our Councelors make a quorum ; it is nevertheless our will and pleasure that you do not act
with a quorum of less than seven Members, unless upon extraordinary emergencies.

And that wee may always be informed of the names of persons fit to supply the vacancies of
our Councill, you are to transmit unto us by one of our Principall Secretaries of State and to
the Lords of our Privy Councill appointed a Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations,
with all convenient speed, the names and characters of twelve persons, inhabitants of our

544 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

said Territory whom you shall esteem the best qualified for that trust ; and so from time to
time when any of them shall dye, depart out of our said Territory, or upon any other occasion,
you are to supply the first number of twelve persons by nominating others to Us in their stead.

And our will and pleasure is that you do not suspend any of the Members of our said Councill
without good and sufficient cause ; and in case of suspension of any of them, you are forthwith
to transmitt unto us as aforesaid and to our Committee for Trade and Forreign Plantations, your
reasons for so doing, together with the charge and proof against the said persons, and their
answer thereunto.

And in the nomination of any Members of our said Councill unto Us upon any vacancy, as
also in the choice of the Cheif Officers, Judges, Assistants, Justices and Sheriffs, you are always
to take especiall care that they be men of estate and abilities, and not necessitous people or
much in debt, and that they be persons well affected to the government.

Our will and pleasure is that all lawes statutes and ordinances within our Territory and
Dominion of New England aforesaid shall continue and be in full force and vigor, so farr forth
as they do not in any wise contradict impeach or derogate from our said Commission Orders or
instructions untill such time as with the advice and consent of the Councill you shall pass other
lawes for the good government of our said Territory and Dominion, which you are to do with
all convenient speed.

And Wee do further charge and require you to transmitt authentick copies under the public
Seal, of all lawes statutes and ordinances which at any time shall be made and enacted within
our said Territory and Dominion, unto Us as aforesaid and to our Committee for Trade and
Plantations, within three months, or sooner, after their being enacted, together with duplicats
thereof by the next conveyance, upon pain of our highest displeasure, and of the forfeiture of
that years salary, wherein you shall at any time or upon any pretence w-hatsoever omit to send
over the said lawes and ordinances as aforesaid, within the time above limited, as also of such
other penalty as wee shall please to inflict.

And if any lawes statutes and ordinances made and enacted by you and our Councill, or by
the Commander in Cheif and Councill of New England for the time being, shall at any time be
disallowed and not approved, and so signified by Us, our heires, or successors, under our or
their Sign manual and Signet, or by order of our or their Privy Councill unto you the said S'
Edmund Andros or the Commander in Cheif of our said Territory and Dominion for the time
being ; then such and so many of them as shall be so disallowed and not approved, shall from
thence forth cease determine and become void.

And you are to observe in the passing of lawes that the Stile of enacting the same by the
Governor and Councill, be henceforth used and no other.

And Wee do hereby signify unto you our express commands that all writs be issued in our
Royall Name throughout our said Territory and Dominion.

You are to take especiall care that no act or order be passed within our said Territory in any
case for levying fines and inflicting penalties, whereby the same shall not be reserved to us for
the publick uses of the government ; as by the said act or order shall be directed.

Whereas by our commission aforesaid Wee have given unto you full power and authority
with the advice and consent of our Councill or the major part of them, to impose assess raise
and levy such rates and taxes as you shall find necessary for the support of the government of
our said Territory ; our will and pleasure is that you continue to raise and levy such rates taxes
and impositions as are now or have lately been laid and imposed within our said Territory,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. S15

untill upon further examination and inquiry you shall represent unto Us the nature and quality
of such rates taxes and impositions, how the same are raised and levyed and what other taxes
may be raised and levyed and to what value yearly, as also what shall be necessary for the
support of the annuall charge of our government there.

You shall not permit any publick money whatsoever to be issued or disposed of otherwise
then by your order or warrant under your hand.

And you are to cause the acconipts of all such money or value of money, attested by you, to
be transmitted every half year to our Committee of Trade and Plantations, and to our High
Treasurer or Comm" of our Treasury for the time being ; wherein shall be specified every
particular summ received or diposed of, together with the names of the persons, to whom any
paym' shall be made and for what uses, with suificient vouchers for every payment ; to the end
Wee may be satisfied of the due application of the revenue, raised or to be raised within our
said Territory.

You shall not remitt any fines or forfeitures whatsoever above the sunnn of ten pounds before
or after sentence given, nor dispose of any escheats, untill you shall have first signified unto us,
to the Comm" of our Treasury or High Treasurer for the time being, and to our Committee of
Plantations, the nature of the offence or occasion of such fines forfeitures or escheats, with the
particular summs or value thereof, and shall have received our directions therein.

And whereas there are great tracts of land within our said Territory and Dominion yet
undisposed of, and other lands tenements and hereditaments for w* our royall confirmation may
be wanting ; Wee do hereby authorize you to dispose of such lands for a moderate Quit Rent, not
under two shillings six pence for every hundred acres ; and to reserve such acknowledgem" unto
us for the confirmation of other lands tenements & hereditaments as you shall think most
equitable and conduceing to our service.

And whereas Wee are willing to provide for the support of our government in our said
Territory by setting apart sufficient allowances to the Commanders in Cheif residing for the
time being within the same ; our pleasure is that when it shall happen that you shall be absent
from that our Territory, one full moiety of the salary and of all perquisites and emoluments
whatsoever which would otherwise become due unto you, shall during the time of your absence
be paid and satisfied unto such Commander in Cheif who shall be resident upon the place;
which wee do hereby order and allott unto him lor his better maintenance and for the support
of the dignity of that our government.

You are to require the Secretary of our said Territory for the time being, to furnish you with
transcripts of all such acts and Publick Orders as shall be made from time to time, together
with a copy of the Journall of the Councill, to the end the same may be transmitted unto us as
aforesaid, and to our Committee for Trade and Plantations, which he is duly to perfonu, upon
pain of incurring the forfeiture of his place.

You shall not displace or suspend any of the Judges Justices Sheriifs or other cheif
officers within our said Territory, without good and sufficient cause ; which you are thereupon
to signify to us and to our Committee of Plantations.

All Military Officers upon misbehaviour and unfaithfulness in the execution of their trusts,
you shall and may suspend or discharge, as shall appear, upon due examination thereof, most
agreeable to justice.

You are to transmitt unto us with all convenient speed, a particular accompt of all
establishments, of jurisdictions, courts, offices and officers, powers, authoritys, fees and priviledges
Vol. 111. 69

546 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

which shall be granted or setled within our said Territory ; to the end you may receive our
approbation and directions therein.

And whereas since our Accession to the Crown, Wee have appointed a new Seal for our
Colonies of New England, as also another Seal for our Province of New York, wiiich being
now united under one governm', Wee do hereby direct and require that the Seal appointed for
the said colony of New England be henceforth made use of lor all that our Territory and
Dominion in its largest extent & boundaries aforementioned ; and that the Seal for our Province
f- of New York be forthwith broken and defaced in your presence.

You shall take especiall care with the advice and consent of our said Councill, to regulate all
salaries and fees belonging to places or paid upon emergencies, that tiiey may be within the
bounds of moderation, and that no exaction be made upon any occasion whatsoever.

You are to take care that drunkenness and debauchery, swearing and blasphemy, be severely
punished ; and that none be admitted to publick trusts and imployments whose ill fame and
conversation may bring a scandall thereupon.

You are to permitt a liberty of conscience in matters of religion to all persons, so they be
contented with a quiet and peaceable enjoym' of it, pursuant to our gracious declaration bearing
date the fourth day of Aprill in the third year of our reign ; w''"' you are to cause to be duly
observed and put in execution.

And Wee do hereby require and command that no mans life member freehold or goods be
taken away, but by established and known lawes. not repugnant to, but as much as conveniently
may be, agreeable to the lawes of our Kingdom of England.

You shall take care that all planters, merchants, and christian servants shall be well and fitly
provided with arms, and that they be listed under officers, and when and as often as you shall
think fit, mustered and trained, whereby they may be in a better readiness for the defence of
our Territory and Dominion aforesaid, or of any other of our plantations in case of distress ;
wherein you shall, upon the application of the respective Governors, assist them with what aid
the condition and safety of your government may permitt.

You are nevertheless to take especiall care that neither y^ frequency nor unreasonableness of
remote marches musters and trainings, be an unnecessary impediment to the affairs of the
inliabitants or planters under your government.

Vou shall take an inventary of all amies ammunition and stores remaining in any of our
magazines and garrisons within our said Territory and send an account of them yearly to Us,
by one of our Principall Secretaries of State, and to our Conmiittee for Trade and Plantations.

And you are also to demand an account of what other armes and ammunition have been
formerly bought with publick money there, for the security of our said Territory, and the same
to transmitt unto us by one of our Principall Secretaries of State, and to our Committee for
Trade and Foreign Plantations.

You are to take especiall care that fit store houses be setled throughout our said Territory, for
receiving and keeping of armes and ammunition and other publick stores.

And you shall transmitt unto us by the first opportunity a Mapp with the e.xact description of
all the whole country as farr as any discovery shall be made thereof, and of the severall
fortifications you shall find or erect there.

And that Wee may be the better informed of the trade of our said Territory, you are, with
the advice and consent of our Councill, to take care that due entrys be made in all ports, of all
goods and commodities imported or exported from thence, and from and to what places they

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 547

come and go ; and that a yearly account thereof be transmitted by you unto Us, by our High
Treasurer or Comm" of our Treasury for the time being, and to our Committee for Trade and
Foreign Plantations.

Our will and pleasure is that you do from time to time give us an account of what strength
your bordering neighbors are, be they Indians or others, by sea and land, and what
correspondency you keep with them.

And when any opportunity shall offer for purchasing great tracts of lands for Us from the
Indians for small summs, you are to use your discretion therein, as you shall judge of the
convenience prejudice or advantage that may arise unto us by the same.

Whereas Joseph Dudley Esq''' and others by their petition have humbly prayed our royall
grant and confirmation of certain lands lying upon the River Merrimack and the Lake
Wenepesioco in i\ew England, together with the fishing of the said River and Lake; you are
to examine the said petition, and to report unto Us your opinion what may be fit for Us to do
therein.

You are to suppress the ingrossing of commodities tending to the prejudice of that freedom
which commerce and trade ought to have, and to settle such orders and regulations therein with
the advice of our Councill as may be most acceptable to the generality of the Inhabitants.

You are to give all due encouragement and invitation to merchants and others who shall
bring trade unto our said Territory, and in particular to the Royall African Company of
England

And you are to take care that there be no trading from our said Territory to any place or
part in Africa within the charter of the Royall African Company ; and you are not to suffer
any sliipps to be sent thither, without their leave and authority.

And Wee do hereby strictly command and enjoin you carefully to observe the treaties
concluded by Us with any Forrein Prince or State; and in case any private injury or damage
shall be offered or don to any of our subjects in those parts by the subjects of any such Prince
or State, you shall take care to give Us an account thereof with all convenient speed and not to
permitt or encourage reparations thereof to be sought in any other way, then such as shall be
agreeable to the said treaties, and the instruction herewith given you.

And whereas Wee are informed of great disorders and depredations dayly committed by
pirats & others to the prejudice of our allyes, contrary to the treatys between Us and the good
correspondency which ought to be maintained between Christian Princes and States ; and there
being a law passed in our Island of Jamaica against such unwarrantable proceedings ; Our
will and pleasure is that such a law (a copy whereof is herewith delivered unto you) be passed
within our Territory and Dominion of New England, which you are to transmitt unto Us as
aforesaid by the fust oppertunity.

And whereas Wee think it fit for the better administration of justice that a law be passed
wherein shall be set the value of men's estates, either in goods or lands, under which they shall
not be capable of serving as Jurors ; you are therefore by the first oppertunity of transmitting
any lawes hither for our approbation, to send one for that purpose.

You shall pass a law for the restraining of inhuman severity which by ill masters or overseers
may be used towards the christian servants or slaves ; wherein provision is to be made that the
wilfull killing oi' Indians and Negros be punished with death, and a fitt penalty imposed for the
maiming of them.

And you are also with the assistance of our Councill to find out the best means to facilitate
and encourage the conversion of Negros and Indians to the Christian religion.

548

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

You are to endeavor with the assistance of the Councill to provide for the raising of stocks
and building publick work houses iu convenient places, for the iniploying of poor and indigent
people.

You are likewise from time to time to give Us, by one of our principal Secretaries of State
and cur Committee for Trade and Forreign Plantations an account of the wants and defects of
our said Territory, what are the cheif products tliereof, what new improvements the industry
or invention of the planters hath affoarded, what probable advantages may be gained by trade,
and wliich way you conceive Wee may contribute towards them.

And forasmuch as great inconveniences may arise by the liberty of printing within our said
Territory, under your Government, you are to provide by all necessarj' orders, that no person
keep any printing press for printing, nor that any book pamphlet or other matter whatsoever be
printed without your especiall leave and license first obtained.

You are to encourage all you can the severall Indians on the Continent, upon all occasions,
that they may apply themselves to the English trade and nation, rather than any others in
Europe.

And whereas Wee have received information tluit the French have lately made an attempt
upon the Five Nations or Cantons of Indians, who from all times have submitted themselves to
our government, and by their acknowledgem" of our Sovereignty are become our subjects ;
and that divers of our subjects, as well Indians as others, have been surprized and deteined in
Canada ; Wee do therefore think fit that you forthwith demand from the Governor of Canada
the setting at liberty our said subjects, as well Indians as others, surprized by them injhe
lawfull prosecution of their trade, together with the restitution of their goods and effects. And
I as We are sensible of what great prejudice it may be to Us and our subjects if any incroachm'
be allowed upon our Dominion, or the French permitted to invade our Territories or to annoy
our subjects, without a due care in Us to preserve the peace of our Governm' and to give all
due protection to such as have brought themselves under our subjection ; Wee do therefore
hereby charge and require you to give notice at the same time to the said Governor of Canada,
/ that upon mature consideration Wee have thought fit to own the Five Nations or Cantons of
the Indians viz' the Maquaes, Sinecas, Cayougues, Oneydes and Onondagues, as our subjects,
and resolve to protect them as such ; so as nevertheless upon information of any injury oiTered
or which shall be ottered or don by them to any of the subjects of our good Brother the most
Christian King, to cause, as Wee do hereby direct you to cause intire satisfaction to be made
for the same, and the Indians withheld from disturbing the French in any manner whatsoever.
Provided they do abstein on their parts from making warr upon those Indians our subjects or
doing them any injury. And in case the people of Canada shall notwithstanding this
Declaration persevere in invading our Dominions, and annoying those Indians, you are with
the utmost of your power to deiend and protect them ; and if need shall require, to levy arm
or imploy all persons residing within yo'' Governm' in the resisting and withstanding the
invasion or attempts of the French ; and them, if there shall be occasion, to pursue in or out of
the limits of your said Governm' and to do and execute all and every other thing w"""" you shall
find necessary for the protecting our subjects & preserving our rights in those parts. And for
the better performance thereof, Wee do hereby give you full power and authority to erect and
build such forts castles and platformes, and in such place or places as to you shall seem requisite
for this service. And in case it shall happen that upon this occasion the aid or assistance of
A our neighboring Colonies may be usefuU ; you are to give notice thereof to our severall

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 549

Governors and Proprietors in any of our plantations upon the Continent of America, to whom
Wee have already sent orders to affbard you such help as the exigency shall require.

And whereas for the composing of severall disputes and differences that have arisen between
our subjects and the subjects of our good Brother the Most Christian King, in America, and for
the preventing furtiier occasions of controversy in those parts, Wee have lately thought fitt to
constitute and appoint Comm" to treat with the Comm" appointed by our said good Brother
the most Christian King, for the purpose aforesaid, as also to settle and determine the bounds
and limits of the Colonies Islands, and territories within our respective Dominions or depending
on Us in America, for the accomplishni' whereof a further time will be requisit in regard of the
distance of those places from whence the necessarj' informations are to be received. Wee have
therefore authorized and impowered our said Comm" to sign and seal an Instrument with the
Comm" of the Most Christian King for the preventing all acts of hostility or violent
proceedings between our respective subjects (a Copy whereof is herewith sent unto you.) And
Wee do accordingly expect from you a conformity to our directions herein, by avoiding all
occasions of misunderstanding between our subjects and those of the Most Christian King,
without permitting any hurt to be don them in their persons or estates untill the -,-^i- day of
January 168f. and after that time untill Wee shall send you new orders under our Sign
Manuall; it being our pleasure that you entertain a good correspondence with the Governor and
Officers of the said King in those parts, and take care that no just complaint be brought unto
Us against you in that behalf.

And to the end the said Limits and Boundaries may be setled before the -^^ day of January
next, and that our Comm" may be well informed of the full extent of our Territory and
Dominion of New England, and its dependencies ; you are forthwith to give us an exact
account and full information of the Boundaries and Limits thereof, and of the Indians and
Territories depending thereon ; which you are to do with all convenient speed.

Lastly. If any thing shall happen that may be of advantage and security to our said
Territory which is not herein or by our commission provided for ; Wee do hereby allow unto
you, with the advice and consent of our Councill, to take order for the present therein ; giving
Us speedy notice thereof, that you may receive our ratification if Wee shall approve the same.

Provided always, and our will and pleasure is, that you do not by color of any power or
authority hereby given you, commence or declare warr without our knowledge and command
therein : e.xcept it be against Indians upon emergencies, wherein the consent of our Councill
shall be had. And you are to give a particular account thereof with all speed unto Us, by one
of our Principall Secretarys of State, and to the Lords of our Privy Councill appointed a
Committee for Trade and Forreign Plantations ; as in the generall of all publick proceedings
from time to time, and of the condition of affaires within your Government.

Given at our Court at Whitehall the IG"" day of Aprill IGSS, in the fourth year of our Reign

By His Majesty's Command

SUNDERLAXD P.

550 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order to Governor Dongan to resign his Government to Sir E. Andros.

[Xcw-York Entry, II. 1S5.]

Trusty @ Welbeloved we greet you well Whereas We liave thought it necessary for our
Service and the better Protection of our subjects to join and anne.x our Province of iNew York
to our Government of New England And have accordingly by our Commission bearing date
the 7"" day of this instant Aprill constituted and api^ointed our Trusty @ Welbeloved S"'
Edmond Andros Kn' to be our Capt" Gen" ana Governor in Chief as well of our Province of
New York as of other the Colonies of our said Territory and Dominion of New England.
Wee do hereby signify unto you Our Will and Pleasure that upon the arrivall of S"' Edmond
Andross within our Colony of New York and the publication of his Commission there you
deliver unto him or such as shall be appointed by him the Seale of our said Province with tlie
Publick Papers @ ensignes of Government Whereupon you are with as much speed as may
consist with tlie condition @ convenience of your private affairs to repair to our Koyall presence
where you may expect from us the marks of our Koyall favour and assurance of our entire
satisfaction in your good services during your Government of our s"* Colony. And so we bidd
you farewell. Given at our Court at Whitehall the 22'' day of Aprill 16SS. In the Fourth
year of our Reign.

By his ls\n.\?' Command

Sunderland P.

Captain Francis J\lchoIson to [J/r. Pavey?^

[Xew England, IV. 809.]

Boston Ausust the 31" IGSS.
Sir

The reason of troubleing you att tliis time is, to give you an account of what news we have
in these parts. His Ex''^ began his journey from New Yorke on the last of July and I went
w'"" him to New-London (about one hundred and twenty miles from hence) butt there His Ex'^''
had advice y' some strange Indians had passed through the upper towns w*^'' lie upon
Connecticutt River, and did noe harme to the English. Butt some few dayes after an Indian
came to Springfield (w*"'' lies upon Connecticutt River but sixty miles from the uppermost
plantation) Att this place lives Coronell Pinshion who commands the militia in those parts.
The Indian gave an account, y' a little before day some Indian fell upon 10 or 12 of our Indians,
w'''' had a small shed about 10 miles from Springfield, on the roade to Boston, they killed five
and carried away three, ['pon this news the Governour dispatclit Coronell Pinshion (who
brought him tlie account,) witli orders to pursue the Indians, and w' hatii happened in those
partes his copies will inform you.

From New London Jiis V.\'^ sent me backe, and ns I came through the Narragansett country,
1 spake to the Indians tliere, and told them of the Iwdians y' were killd, and if they were afraid
to live there in tlie woods, they niiglit goe to the next Englisii plantation, and tiiere I would

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 551

give order they should be taken care of, and if they could meet w"" any of the Indians y» had
killd their freinds, they should be rewarded for it. 1 told them they were now under a great
King y' would protect them from any enemy, provided they did their duty to him; They were
very thankfull for what I told them.

When I came hither I sent to Natick, (aboute 15 miles of) and Punckapaug, near the same
distance from this place as the other. Some of the Indians of these places came, and I told
tliem as I had those of the King's Province, and they were alike thankfull ; being afraid they
desird a little powder and ball, W^"" I gave them. Upon the lO"" instant att 3 in the morning, I
had a letter from M"' John Wing, w'^'' I send you inclosd. Some few hours after came the man,
and gave the account from Penecooke. About the same time I had the news of the French
vessell, and Ensigne Pipon who commands Fort James at Penaquid, writt to me that there was
a reporte amongst the fishermen y' S' Casteen was come to. Penopscott w"" a friggott to build a
fort there, and y' Monsieur Villbonne (who was sent last yeare to Coronell Dungan about the
ship, y' was seazd at Penopscott) w"- the Judge of Port Royall, butt I rather thinke an Ingineer,
for I am informd he came from France this yeare in the same friggott y' was att Port Royall
last yeare when I was there. They came in the ketch w''^ was att jMonhegonne w""'' is six
leagues from Penaquid, where they arrived the 17"" instant, and there enquired for the French
shallop y' they pretended had run away. The officer told them he would send to enquire for
tlieir vessell, w""" he did, butt noe news of any such ; for I believe they made y' only an excuse
for to have an opportunity of viewing those parts; for they liad been att Penopscott w"" Mons'
S' Casteen, who made complaints to them of His Ex''-^' having been there in his absence. For
he went to Quebecke in his barke, butt liaveing intelligence by land he returned the same way
from Canada to Penopscott. — The French gentleman said y' S' Casteenes had made his
complaint to the Governo' of Port Royall butt he tooke noe notice of itt; soe he has
complained to the Governo"' of Canada. They stand mightily upon Penobscotts being in their
precincts, and y' their Governo'' of Port-Royall has news from France y' the limitts betwixt the
two Crowns will be adjusted next January. They allsoe say y' they have order y' if they
finde any English boate fishing beyond Cape Sables, they are to bidd them to be gone, and nott
molest them iarther: I have lately an account y' they went from Penaquid the 23'' instant.

Upon the news I had from Worcester and other partes, I dispatcht a messenger by land to
Penaquid to give them an account of it, as I did to the towns along the coast, by the same
post ; and I sent backe to Worcester y' they should not quitt the place, for .they might be sure
of helpe. Being inform'd that some places were afraid of the Indians in their neighborhood
and y' others were very much alarmed att the news from Northfield, (for they have nott yett
forgott the cruelties of the Indians in the warr they had w"" them aboute 12 or 13 yeares agoe,)
and some towns were in great want of arms and ammunition ; therefore on y* 19"" aboute noon
I went from hence, and att Ouburne (some 10 miles from hence) I secur'd the Indians and left
them in their towne. From thence I went through two other towns, where I encourag'd them
and bid them nott be afraid. Att night I came to Dunstable about 30 miles from hence) from
thence I sent two English men and an Indian to Penecooke being sixty miles up the river
Merymeck ; the men told me they should be 3 dayes in doeing of it ; soe next day I went
tln-ough Groton and Lancaster, wiiere the people were very much afraid (being out towns) butt
I told them as I did other places, that they should nott be soe much cast down, for that they
had the happinesse of being subjects of a victorious King, who could protect them from all
their enemies. Att night I came to Worcester, where was some few men left, whom I order'd

552 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

to fortifie a house, so that the place might nott be quitted. I sent to Mallbrough for a Lieu' of
the Militia and six men to goe for Squabog, for I heard that four men staid there. In the
morning I went to Mallbrough and sent away the Lieu' and men to Squabog; and I mett three
men of the place and order'd them backe againe, and 1 left orders y' if any of Worcester or
Squabog could be mett w"" they should be sent back to their places. For if they had been
quitted we should have lost our correspondence w"" Springfield (except they had come round
aboute) it is, the nighest way, an 100 miles from hence. Where, and att Worcester, 1 found
the people very much afraid of two Indians Forts in the Nipmug country ; for y' they had nott
carried themselves of late to the English as formerly, and that they had observed some strange
Indians have been with them this summer. I went to the Fort, some 12 miles of and I found
thereaboute fifty, whereof one third men. I came nott to the other Fortt till late att night, by
reason of travelling through the woods. There were some few more Indians then in the other
and men proportionable. I ask'd them as I did the others, if they were nott afraid of strange
Indians ; they said yes. Soe I told them they should goe to the English plantations, and there
they might be secure, butt in the woods they could nott. I lett them understand y' wee were
neither afraid of them nor wanted their heipe ; but being now they were happy under a great
Prince, they should not want the protection of the governm', soe long as they behaved themselves
civily. These two Indian Forts lie within a night's march of five towns, and they might either be
destroyed by an enemy or have joyned with them ; soe I sent them down amongst the English
plantations. In my retume home I saw as many places as I could, and found them affrighted ;
but told them as I had done in other places. I returned the 24"' after I had rid about 230
miles, and I never was above a dayes journey from Boston, that I might have an account if any
thing extraordinary had happened in any other parts of the country. One of the men I sent to
Penecooke gave the enclosed account of his journey. The Sachems I have nott scene yett, soe I
intend to send againe to see in what posture they are in. Since I came home, I have had letters
from sever" parts, of their fears of the Indians, but have given them all encouragem' Soe I
hope they are satisfy ed, for I hear noe more of their feares, but of their being in a good posture.
I hope this fright will doe the people good.

I have in prison eight men supposed to be pyrates ; they did belong to one Peterson (the
remainder of Yanekey's and Jacob's company, the two famous privateers of the West Indies,
both w'^'' are dead) This Peterson was in a barkalonga of ten guns and twelve patareres, with
seventy men ; he was att Road-Island this summer, w'''' His Ex"'' having notice of, sent Capt.
George in tlie Rose frigatt about by sea, and I went down by land ; butt he was gone.
Enquireing aboute him, I was infbrm'd y' sume of lioad-Island had traded witli him ; upon w'^''
His Ex""^ order'd a speciall Court to try them; butt the grand jury would nott finde the bill;
butt I have now att Salem two ketches under seazure for trading w"" them. The masters and
sever" of their men are in prison for dealing w"* them. One of the masters w"" his ketch came
w"" a prize (that the pyrate had taken in the West Indies) to the Island of Martin's Vineyard
and there he lett them have a man of his to pilott them to Port-la-bare in Nova Scotia. He
had out of the prize fifty hides and aboute forty elephant teeth. One of the pyrates men sold
them to one Andrew Bellsharr master of the ship Swan of this place, now att London. The
hides were putt on board Sir William Phipses ship, the teeth he had in his owne. Bellsharr
paid to the pyrate fifty -seven pounds in money, and some provisions, w"^ he carried to his
comerades. This account I have upon the examination of the pyrates and some of the ketches
men, and y' they burnt the ship att Port-la-bare. For there Peterson mett w"" them & tooke

LONDON DOCUxMENTS: VI. 553^

eighteen of tlie men w"^ belong'd to tlie prize, w"" him; the otiiers are in prison, (being brought
in the two ketclies to Salem) There is secui-'d w"" tlie ketches, some old rigging, guns, anchores,
and cables, w'^'" belong'd to the prize, and allsoe three thousand eight hundred hides (butt some
of them spoild) I have an account by the master of a fishing ketch, vv"'" Peterson forced to
pilott him along the coast of Nova Scotia, that after they went from Port-la-bare, they saild for
the Gutt of Cancer, and entering into it they took INIons'' S' Casteenes barke, w'^'' was comeing
from Quebeck, loaded w"" provisions and merchandise to y* value of five hundred pounds. By
the men they understood of a greatt shipp w'^'' was near Cancer ; so they mann'd their boates
and tooke the men for pilotts and by ten att night they came to the ship & entered her on both
sides, butt noe body in the ship appeared till Peterson fir'd his pistoll, and then the master came
upon the decke with his kaine, supposing his men had been a quarrelling ; butt Peterson
connnanded hiin afore the maste, as he did the men y' came up. The ship is aboute three hundred
tunns, sever" guns and patareras, with aboute twenty-five men. The next day came from the
Fort of Chebocotowe (some few leagues of) the Governour and others to see the ship, (being
lately come from France to fish there) butt the Doctour of the pyrate and some others being in
a small cannoe mett vv"" them and fir'd att them ; for w"^"" they asked quarter, vV*" they gave
them, butt commanded them to go on board the ship (which was hard by.) Att night they went
up to the Fort haveing so good a pilott and guide. The pyrates sayde they tooke the Fort
presently, for the soldiers were asleep : there belong'd to the fort the Governour and an officer
of the soldjers, being aboute fifteen, w"" some tradesmen. The Fort hath bastions with great
guns, and is one hundred foott square within the buildings. They plundered the Fort, findeing
sever" chests of amies and other thinges proper for the Indian trade ; there was allsoe good
store of provisions wines and brandy ; butt upon the ernest request of the Governour they left
them some provisions and did nott spike up their guns, for they told them if they did, the
Indians might destroy them. They tooke a vessell of about thirty tunns loaded w"" provisions
& merchandise (w'''' came from Quebeck and was bound for Port-Royall ) Peterson findeing that
a ketch w'^'" some yeares agoe had been taken from a merchant of Piscataqua, he order'd her to
be sent home, for he said those French rogues have nothing to doe w"" other peoples vessells.
He heard allsoe of another English ketch, taken as the other was ; he sent some leagues to fetch
her, y' he might send her home againe ; butt she was gone from the place, soe he would stay
noe longer (being very much afraid that Cap' George in the Rose would mett w"" him,) butt
before he went he sent for New England (in the ketch w'^'' was his pilott, and y' w"^*" he released )
ten French fishermen, w'"" were weary of Cancer and had a minde to come hither. One of the
men told me he had been lately att Quebeck and y' the Governour of Canada was gone w"" four
thousand men against the Indians, for that they had burnt a great deal of their French corne,
and were afraid of the rest, insomuch that the Governour had ordered y' noe more provisions
should goe out of the country : butt this comeing from soe ordinary a man, I cannot rely upon
itt. The pyrates said they were bound for the Gold Coast, being near one hundred men,
victualled for one year well stored with ammunition and amies, with great plenty of wines and
brandy. They burnt their barkalonga att Cancer.

I have this day a letter from his Ex'^'' dated att New Yorke the 24* ins' He has been att
the two Jerseys and settled them to their great satisfaction. When his Ex'^^ hath settled the
affaires of New Yorke (w"^"" he hopes would be done in a weeke) then by the advice of the
Councill he designes up for Albany. For he finds itt necessary for His Ma"" service y' he goe
thither. I have intelligence y' the French have been insinuateing themselves with the Five
Vol. III. 70

554 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Nations of Indians, and y' His Ex""^ liatli notice of it too ; for lie hath sent to acquaint y" y* he
will be att Albany. The Governonr hath writt nie to come to him, either att New Yorke or
Albany.

Soe now things being quiett in these parts, I designe God willing for Albany on Monday next;
I cluise to goe for Albany, because I intend to goe by Springfield and those parts, and soe
through the woods, and see if I can finde or hear of the Indians that liave done the mischief;
for I hear y' an Albany Indian (w"'"' hunts betwixt y' place and the upper towns of Connecticott)
hath reported y' there were Indians from the French, w* came down from Connecticott river,
and they were in two companies ; the first was returned, w'"" he supposed kill'd our Indians, butt
the other company he heard was nott return'd ; w"""" might be those that kill'd the English. I
am very desirous to be att Albany when His Ex'"'' speakes with the Five Nations, y' I might see
and be acquainted w"" them.

I had the happinesse of sending His Ex'^^ y'' joyfuU news of a Princes being borne. The
Govern'' celebrated itt att New Yorke as soon as he heard itt; and though I had itt late att
night, yett endeavoured to solemnize itt as well as the time and this place could afford. Enclosed
i,s a coppy of a Proclamation for a Generall Thankesgiving.

.Sir, I humbly beg you would please to pardon me ibr sending this tedious letter ; but liope
you will passe itt by as you have done the former troubles given you, by your most obedient and

Obliged humble servant,

Fii. Nicholson.

I have had a letter from Mr. Randolph, who desires y' his humble service may be sent you ;
he is waiting upon His Ex"'-^ and I suppose will returne with him.

Governor Andro.s to the Lords of Trcule.

[New England, IV. 8S.^ ]

New Yorke 4"" October 16S8.
May itt please your Lopps :

1 arrived here the eleaventh of August past, wiien His Majesties Letters Pattents being
published, received this place, as alsoe East New Jersey the fifteenth, and West New Jersey
the eighteenth Ibllowing, where by proclamacon continued the revenue and all officers in place,
till further order; and have since settled all officers Civill and Military. By expresse from
Boston the three and twentyeth of the same moneth, had the happy iiewes of the birth of the
I'rince of Wales, and, tho late in the day, was solemnized with all demonstrations of joy and
gladnesse for soe greate a blessing, and the next day in Councill a publique thanksgiveing was
ordered to be kept and observed on the second of September att New Yorke & places adjacent,
and fourteene dayes after throughout the whole dominion.

I have beene att Albany and scene all the Five Nations of Indians there, who [were] found
as well disposed as could be expected, and left all well.

Since my being here have had an account of mischeifcs done by Indians from Canada on
Connecticott River, and lately att Caskoe Bay to tlie Eastward, and of some being killed ; but

J.ONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 555

being very imperfect sliull not presume to give your Lordsliipps tlie trouble thereof, till my
returne to Boston, whether am hastening, and for the more certainty intend by land.

I wrott to Canada by expresse, att my first arrival! here, as commanded by His Majestic, and
since, upon occasion of the said mischeifes ; from whence as yett noe returne.

I shall endeavour not to be wanting in my duty for His Majestie service, and hope your
Lordshipps favourable construccons thereupon, and remaine

Your Lopps.

Most obedient & humble Serv'

E. AXDROS.

The Lords of the Comittee
for Trade &c.

Governor Andros- to Monsmir de Denonville.

[ New England, IV. 8ST. ]

New Yorke ll"- August 1688.
Sir

His Majestie haveing beene pleased to annex this Province and other parts to his territory and
dominion of New England under my Government, this is, upon my arrivall here, to give you
an account thereof, and by His Ma"*^" comand to demand from yow the setting att liberty his
subjects as well Indians as others surprized by yow in the lawfull prosecution of their trade,
togeather with the restitution of their goods and effects ; as alsoe to give yow notice that His
Majesty hath thought fitt to owue the Five Nations or Cantons of Indians (viz') the Maquaes,
Sineckes Cayouges, Oneydes and Onnondages, (who from all times have submitted themselves
to his government and acknowledged his soveraignty) as his subjects, and resolves to protect
them as such. Soe as neverthelesse if any of the said Indians shall offer or doe any injury to
any of the subjects of the most Christian King under your government, to cause intire
sattisfaction to be made for the same, and the Indians withheld from disturbing them in any
manner whatsoever. Provided the subjects of the Most Xtian King doe abstayne on their
parts from makeing warr upon those Indians his Majesties subjects, or doeing them any injury.

I shall onely add that as I shall have all regard to the treatyes and stipulation made betweene
the two Kings our mast", and avoid all occasions of misunderstanding, I shall perticulerly
endeavour to entertaine a good correspondency with your selfe, and be glad of all oppertunities
to serve yow, and remaine. Sir,

Your most humble Serv' &".
To the Govern"' of Canada.

556 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Monsmir de DenonviVe to Governor Dongan.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[ New England, IV. 895. ]

Montreal, 20tli August, 168S.
Sir,

I received, on the 2d instant, the letters you were at the trouble to write me, by your envoy,
Mr. Wessell, on the 27th July. Both would require a long answer to each paragraph, inasmuch
as you object to me many tilings which it would be too long to explain by letter.

I likewise should have many things to tell you, particularly what was done by your savages,
Mohegans, (Loups) settled at Albany, and by the Mohawks, who came here to pillage at the
time you indicate to me that the roads were open from here to you. But now I am persuaded
that as you have received the last order of the King, your master, you will treat us well ; and
since our masters have reserved to themselves the decision of attiiirs relating to the two colonies,
let us be satisfied therewith.

I have therefore, Sir, only to thank you, as I do, for the pains you have taken to release our
prisoners, and to assure you that the entire colony is truly grateful for the kind offices those
poor unfortunate men have received both from you and from your people. I doubt not. Sir,
but you will not remit the same care to have those restored who still remain amongst those
barbarians.

You advise me by your letters, that you have sent to tell all the Indians to withdraw their
entire force ; but it does not appear to me yet, that the Senecas and others give me assurances
that they will not wage war against me any more. Therefore you will not be surprised that I
have not ordered our Indians to discontinue their hostilities, until I know what are the
sentiments of the Senecas and others. This I expect in a few days. Nevertheless, Sir, I must
tell you, you will find me always well disposed, on my side, to do everything that is necessary
to be done to establish a solid peace, and to maintain a perfect union and good understanding
between the two Colonies.

Regarding the Fort at Niagara of which you write me, I beg to assure you that so soon as I
see some certainty as to affairs, I shall, in order to contribute to a permanent peace, withdraw
the garrison that is there.

Your messenger, Mr. Wessels, will tell you, Sir, better than I can by letter, my dispositions
on this subject. Therefore I am assured that the Five Nations will be satisfied if you will
please take the trouble to induce them to understand reason. I am

Sir,

Your very humble.

Very obedient Servant,

The M. DE Denonville.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 557

Governor Amlro'i to M. de Dmonvilh.

[New England, IV. 003.]

Albany 10 September 16SS.
Sir

I am sorry for the occasion since my last letter, to acquaint you that I have an account of live
of our Indians being niurthered in their dwellings att a placed called Spectacle Pond neere
Springfield on Connecticott river; and since, of six Christians being likewise murthered att
Northfield a small and the uppermost settlement wee have on that River; by Indians from your
parts. And now am assured was by some sent out by your selfe, after the signification of the
Truce, who being well knowne, some of their names are here inclosed. I have alsoe seene
your letter to Governour Dongan of the 20"' past by w'^'' yo" avow the not haveing restrained
your Indians from hostillity, till applications or assurances from ours ; whiche I thinke very
extraordinary and need not say the importe, or what may be the consequence thereof; but (if
not already done) doe desire that yo'' will forthwith send the said murtherers to me. I cannot
tell yow the trouble mischeifes and damages itt hath alreadj^ occasioned in New England, being
in many and distant parts, of w""" am confident yo"' will be sensible. And therefore have
made noe further pursuite. And alsoe upon our Indians the Maquais, Oneydes, Onnondages,
Cayouges and Senekes, comeing to me at this place, have reminded them of the late truce to
be punctually observed.

Have alsoe demanded all the French Captives remaining with them ; of which a little girl,
happening to be with an Indian woman att hand, is already delivered

I presume yo" have by this time withdrawne your garrison and people from Oniagra, or any
other parts of this government, and that I shall without delay beare from yow effectually of
that and all else, for the due observance of the truce made by the Kings our masters, and that
you will give me further oppertunity to serve j'o"' and remaine.

S""

Yo^ most humble Serv' Sa"

To the Governour of Canada.

Proceeding.9 between, Gavernor Andros and the Five Nations of Indians.

[ New England, IV. 90T. ]

Account of what passed between His Excell. S' Edmond Andros Kn' Cap' Gen"
and Govern"' in Cheife of His Ma"" territory and dominion of New England.
and the Five Nations or Cantons of Indians, to witt, the Maquaes, Oneydes,
Onnondages, Cayouges and Sinneckes, att Albany, on the eighteenth nine-
teenth twentieth and one and twentieth of September 16S8, when they came
to waite on His Excellency.

His Excellency and Councill, the Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen and Sherif!e of the Citty of
Albany and severall other of the principal! inhabitants being mett in the Townehouse, where

558 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the Indians were called in, Siudachsegie, a Maqiiaes Sachem stood up & addressing himself to
His Excell. spoke after this manner, viz' —

Brother Corlaer,

Wee are come from all the Five Nations, viz' the Sinneckes, Cayouges, Onnondages, Oneydes
and Maquaes, to hid yow welcome in this place, not only yow but yo"' Councill likewise ; and
wee returne thankes to the ^L^gistrates of Albany who acquainted us of your coming hither
and that yow was Governour Gen" of all these territoryes, and the same person w"''' did us the
kindness to be called Corlaer when yow was Govern"" formerly. Upon which wee resolved not
to come slowly but to runn with all speed to see and bid you welcome.

Wee desire yow will be pleased to accept our small present, being now very poore : wee
would have presented yow with a greater present if wee had not been confined to a narrow
circle (by the Govern"' of Canada) who warring upon us did soe penn us up this last winter,
that wee could not hunt, neither upon lake nor creeke. ' "If it had beene in the Spring season
wee would have made a larger present in bever. W^ee wish yow long life and prosperity and
that wee may live in peace and quietness under y"" goverment. And all these Nations are very
glad to see yow come to be our Govern"' here againe ; And made all a low bow and presented

Three Belts of Wampum.

To which His Excell^ replyed, 'twas well, and sayd lie would spenke to them in the same
place to morrow morning.

September y' 19"' His Excell'' with the Councill, the Mayor and Aldermen and severall
other officers and principall persons being againe mett att the Townhouse, where the Indians
being present His Excell'' spoke to them as follows.

Children.

I am glad to see some from yo"' severall Nations or Cantons in this place (to witt) the
Maquaes, Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges & Sinneckes, and to heare from yo'' selves of yo''
w'elfare in those parts of the goverment.

Yow have had notice of the truce made by our Great King putting a stopp to the French
invadeing this Govenn', or annoying yow further, or yo"' continueing any acts of hostillity
towards them ; w'^'" is punctually to be observed, that soe yow may goe and hunt as formerly
and need have noe other reguard to the French nor hearken to them then as they are o"" freinds
to doe them noe harme.

But hearing of mischeifes done since the Truce by some Indians from Canada, yow will doe
well to be carefull yow be not surprized by any would harme yow or forcibly settle in yo"' parts,
that yow may prevent the same, or presently take or pursue such as shall attempt itt, and if too
strong, to retreat to yo'' next habitation or Castle, or to this place, where yow may be safe, and
assisted, as occasion.

Understanding that severall French captives are yett amongst yow, yow are to take care that
without delay they be all brought to this place.

You will doe well to encourage such of yours that are gone or married in other parts, to
returne to yow veith their familyes, and not to hinder any other Indians comeing in a freindly

' Note in the margin of the original in New- York Colonial Manuscripts, XXX'V. : " Wlien thia expression was said all ye
Indians j't stood by oalld out yt. is very true." — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 559

manner to yow or tliis place ; and if yow desire any perticular freindship with those Indians
beyond yow I shall be ready to heare itt, and doe what may be proper for yow therein
accordingly.

I shall alwayes be readj' to heare any thing further that may conduce to yo"' good and welfare
and twill be yo"' owne faultes if yow doe not eate drinke and sleep in safety.

September the 20"" Two Maquaes Sachems desired of His Excell'' a publique hearing for all
the Five Nations, w'^ His Excell'' appoynted to be about noone att the Townhouse ; where
His Excell^, accompanyed as before, went, and the Indians being called in, the Maquaes Sachem
y' spoke to His Excell'' before, stood up and addressing himself to the severall Nations of
Indians, spoke to this effect: —

" To speake to soe great an auditory is enough to discourage any one ; therefore if I i'ayle in
" expressing what yow have directed, yow must guide mee and hold mee excused." Then
addressing himself to His Excell^ hee spake after tiiis manner : —

Corlaer.

Wee are exceeding glad to see yow here, who was formerly in Tionondoge our third Castle,
and are assured of your good inclinations towards us, because wee have experienced your
goodness heretofore. For yow was pleased to accept the name of a Man that was of good
dispositions & esteemed deare amongst us (to witt) The Old Corlaer.

Layd downe eight fathome of Wampum.

'Wee Maquaes haveing consulted all this day are resolved y' wee will observe what yow
spake yesterday, concerning the French that wee should not hearken unto them ; and may bee
well assured wee will have noe correspondence with them. We are in a strong Covenant with
yow, and this Goverm', which wee will never breake.

And presented another Belt of Wampum.

What was proposed to us yesterday wee Five Nations shall observe, and if wee meet any
French in the woods lakes or creekes, wee will treat them as freinds ; and the same wee \^^ll
doe with the Indians that live beyond us.

The late Govern"' desyred to know of us where the fittest places would be in our country to
erect forts, and we told him att Cayouhage, and sayd alsoe that he would build a fort att tlie
end of Corlaer's Lake, att a place called Onjadarakte, and put great gunus in the same ; but
nothing done. However wee doe not insist upon itt.

Did give a Belt of Wampum twelve deepe.

The Maquaes^ Sachems who spoke formerly with you, are dead, and wee have not soe much
knowledge as they had. Nevertheless though they are buryed, yett lett the old Covenant that
was made w"" o' ancestors be kept firme. Then wee were called Brethren, & that was also
well kept ; therefore lett that of Brethren continue without any alteration.

Doe give a Belt of Wampum eight deep.

' In the original minute in New- York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXV., this article reads thus:

" Wee Maquase now speake for our selfs haveing consulted all this day, & fynde yt what yow spoke yesterday concerning
ye french yt we should not hearken unto them ; the which wee will observe, and yow may be well assured yt we will have
no Correspondence wth them ; wee are in a Strong Covenant wth yw & this Governmt wliich we will never Breake. gave
a small Belt of Wampum

"Now I speake in ye behalfe of all ye 6 nations" — Ed.

' "The Maquase speake again for them selfs — The Sachems who" <tc. Ibid.

560 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Not long agoe wee Five Nations had a warr with the French and have delivered severall of
them wee tooke prisoners to this goverm', who are sent to Canada. But when Derrick Wessells
returned wee were not acquainted they were delivered, nor doe wee heare any thing of o'
people that are sent to France, amongst whom are some of o"' principall warriours, whose names
are knowne like the Sunn ; Notwithstanding wee keep to that w""" was done by the two great
Kings beyond the seas.

Here hath been another Govern"' since yo' departure, who was alsoe called Corlaer; but wee
are very glad to see yow here againe, and lay downe a Belt of Wampum to sweep the ground
you stand on, and againe bid yow wellcome for all the Five Nations.

When the first Covenant was made with our old Sachems, itt was concluded that all former
injuries should be throwne in a bottomless pitt ; and then was planted a Tree of Welfare,
whose branches reaches into the cloudes, upon w''' the Suime must shine bright forever.

Doe give a Belt of Wampum.

' If yow had a warr with farr Nations and had gott prisoners, and the same given into familyes
as their owne, would itt not be a hard case to demand them againe. Wee INIaquaes have had
a warr with the French, but they began itt. Nevertheless we shew yow our obedience as we
have alwayes done, and deliver yow this French child according to your desire, and will doe
our endeavour, as soone as wee come home, to procure those other prisoners that are amongst
us and deliver them. Yow may perceive how deare and wellcome yow are to us, that wee
without delay or goeing to o'' Castles, deliver yow this Child as a token of our obedience, and
give yow this Child for yo'' wellcome.

Wee desire, because our memory is weake that the propositions made yesterday to us, may
be left in writeing with Akus the Interpreter, to whom wee may have recourse for information.

Then Dekarachqua a Sachem of the Cayouges, stood up and addressing himself to His
Excell'', spoke after this manner :

Father Corlaer

Wee Fower Nations, the Senekes, Cayouges, Onondages and Oneydes, accept the name of
Children ; but because severall of o'' Indians were stolen by the French in time of peace and
sent prisoners to France, wee are not inclined to deliver the French prisoners, before we have
ours returned, espetially Taweeratt, the Cheif Warriour of Cayouge, who is lamented amongst
us every day. And therefore we desire yow to write beyond sea that wee may have the same
Indians back againe. Hee presented a Belt of Wampum, with twenty eight sticks tyed to itt,
to shew the number of the Indians taken by the French.

The Govern'' of Canada is pleasant with his eye, and speakes fayre with his lipps, but his
heart is corrupt, and wee find that the old Covenant made with this goverm' has been kept
inviolated.

The Indians haveing done speaking His Excell^ was pleased to expresse himselfe to them in
the words following : —

Yow take notice of the word Brethren and Children, but leave it to mee : they are both
words of relation and friendship, but Children the nearer. What I sayd yesterday remaines

' "The Mohogs sjnake for tlipmselfs." Ncvi-Yvrk Colonial Maiiusmpts, XXXV. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 561

upon record in this place, and doe accordingly expect the release of all the French prisoners
remaining still in your parts. And yow may be assured of my inclination and care for yow and
yowrs, and the wellfare and increase of yC nations as I spoke to yow yesterday.

Whereupon the Sachem of y" Cayouges perceiving His Excell^ not well pleased w"" what he
sayd about the French prisoners, stood up, and speaking to His Excell'' againe, desired to be
excused for what he had spoke amiss, and as for the prisoners they will deliver them ; but they
liveing soe far off, it will require some time before they can doe itt.

September the 21" Upon the desyre of the Indians to speake to His Excell^ againe, His
Excell'' ,the Councill, the Mayor and Aldermen and principall officers and inhabitants went to
the Townhouse, where the Indians be[ing] present Dekarachqua the Sachem of the Cayouges,
stood up, and addressing himself to His Excell^, spoke to the effect following, viz'.

Wee Five Nations have been soe much troubled in our minds for the rash speech made
yesterday, that wee could not sleep all this night, and desire that yow will please to excuse the
same, for we have consulted togeather and are absolutely resolved to performe what yow
proposed. If wee meet any French wee will treate them with what wee have and will alsoe
send the French captives which are amongst us, with the first conveniences, soe soone as the
wayes, w^"* are farr and dyrty, will permitt. Further wee come to yow lamenting w"" teares in
o' eyes, as to o"' father, to make o'' complaint, that the French have treacherously stolen several!
of our people before the warr, and sent them prisoners to France.

Therefore wee come to yow as o'' father, desyreing that all endeavours may be used that the
same may be sett at liberty and brought to us. For if a child liad a payre of fine stockings
stole from him, and came and complained to the father and shewed him the theife, the father
would certainly use all his endeavours that the child should have the stockings againe.

The Indians haveing done His Excell^' replyed to them in these words: —
I was sorry to heare of the loss of yo'' people that were carryed beyond sea, and have not
forgott itt, nor shall omitt what is proper for mee therein.

Examhudion of Mag-sigpen^ an Indian.

[ New England, IV. 927. ]

The examination of an Indian called Magsigpen, als Graypoole, and by the
Albany people Aert, being examined saith : —

That returning from Canada with y"" Maquaes who had beene a fighting there, left said
Maquaes in the lake, and went with the Schagkook Indians a hunting, being eight togeather in
number, comeing upon a creeke called Magkaneweick, mett with foure Indians, viz' Jethro and
others, and soe went downe said creeke togeather. And were seene by Eleaven Indians that
formerly lived in New England, and now in Canada, who followed them all the night, (as
Vol. m. 71

562 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

afterwards they understood of tliem.) Comeing to a fall, carried their Canoos into the Great
River of Connecticott, and just as tliey were a goeing into their Canoos. the said eleaven North
Indians came running out of the woods, presented their armes upon the Schagkook Indians,
and called who are you; and this Examinant answered Schagkook Indians. The North Indians
further asked where are you a goeing and what is your businesse. The Schagkook Indians
replyed, wee are a hunting, what people are you, and what your businesse. The North Indians
said, wee live in Canida, wee are goeing to fight by order of the Governour of Canida who
told us the Maquaes have done greate mischeife in Canada, therefore goe yow revenge the
same, either on Christians or Indians ; kill all what you cann, bring noe prisoners but their
scalps, and I'le give you tenn beavers for every one of them. Then the North Indians made
Canooes there, and soe went downe said River togeather two dayes, being continueally upon
their guards without sleepeing, challenging the one the other. The eight Shaggkooke Indians
told the French Indians, wee have been in Canida with the Maquaes, and are yow come to
revenge itt, why doe not you fall upon us. The North Indians answered. Derrick Wessell hath
beene in Canada and brought tideings there that a cessation was made of all hostility betweene
the two governments, and hee was but foure dayes gone from Canada when bee cam from
thence. Upon which the Shaggkooke Indians replyed, how, is there a cessation, & doe yow
goe out still, wee know nothing of itt. And soe talking togeather came to a place called
Soquagkeeke where some Indians live, and to a place called Dearfield, where they went to the
house of one M"" Thomas Wells, where they lodged with three of the North Indians : what
was become of the rest they knewe not. The Schaggkooke Indians went and told the
Christians there are eleaven Indians that are come from Canada, be upon your guard, wee know
not whether their hearts are good. The Christians answered wee are not afraid of them, wee
are not concerned in the warr of Canada. M' Thomas Wells told them further, itt is best for
foyv to make all haste yow can for Schaggkooke and give your Indians notice there of the
eleaven North Indians, that they may not doe them some harme. Upon which the Schaggkooke
Indians departed, and acquainted their Indians therewith ; as alsoe the Magistrates of Albany,
who said. How can this be, for there is a cessation of all hostillity. The said Examinant
further saith, that the names of the said eleaven North Indians are as foUoweth viz'

The Cheife is called Wampolack from Pennekooke.

Mananqueseeck from Pennekooke

Wallamaqueet from idem ; lived formerly in the Halfe Moone.

Maquawekanpaweet from Pennekooke ; and his sonne, whoe name they know not.

Tawawekaheeke a Nimenaet, from Pennekooke

Wawanwejagtack of Quaboagh.

Wawagquohaet of Quaboagh

Tapagkamin of Nassawach

Maghtwatren of Patrantecooke

Quaetsietts a Wappenger of Hudson's River: And further saith not.

This examination was taken in Albany the fifteenth day of September 16SS, before

S. COURTLANU.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 563

Examination of Joltii liosie.

[ New Englaml, IV. 9)31. ]

Examination of John Rosie.

John Rosie of the Citty of Albany aged thirty fower yeares or thereabouts being examined
sayth, that on the eleventh of June last he went from Albany with Dericke Wessells who was
sent by Govern'' Dongan to carry the truce or cessation made between the Kings of England 2>'
and France to the Govern'' of Canada, and the twenty second following came with him to
Mount Royall where they found the sayd Govern"' of Canada and there he saw the sayd Derick
Wessells the same day deliver the letters of the sayd cessation to the Govern" own hand. And
this Examinant further sayth that the twenty-fifth of July past the sayd Derick Wessells being
againe sent from Albany to carry some prisoners to Canada, he this examinant accompanyed
him, and about y'' seventh or eighth of August came againe to Mount Royall, where they also
found the Govern"" of Canada, and that about two dayes after the Govern'' of Canada told to
the sayd Derick Wessells and this examinant that there was gone out from Canada eleven
of the North Indians in Company with some Maquaes, and that the Maquaes were returned
but the North Indians were not, that he ordered them to stay but thirty dayes, w"^"" time
was expired, but he hoped they would doe noe mischeife in these parts, for he had ordered
them to doe none to any Christians, but when they are in the woods they doe what they
will. Whereupon the sayd Derick Wessells replyed that if those Indians should doe any
mischiefe in these parts it would of ill consequence. And that the Govern'' of Canada then
further sayd, who can help that, for yovv know that in Europe sometimes six monthes after a V.
peace there is battells fought before itt is knowne. And the sayd Dericke Wessells againe
replyed that must be in such places where nothing was knowne of a cessation, but here itt was
well knowne : and that hee this examinant well understanding the French language did interprett
what was sayd by the French Govern^ as above, to the sayd Derick Wessells and also what
was replyed by him to French Govern'' And this Examinant further sayth that att the time
before menconed when Derick Wessells carryed the Cessation to Canada, he did every day
dureing his stay at Mount Royall, w""" was about five dayes, see and discourse with a certaine
Indian called Quaetseits, who formerly lived on Hudson's River, and was well knowne to him,
and att their departure left him there. And further sayth not.

The So"" of Septemb"' 1GS8, the sayd
Jean Rosie came before mee and made
oath of the above Examinacon.

P. ScHUYLEK, Mayo""

564 NEW- YORK COLONIAL ^L\NUSCRIPTS.

Examination of Derrich WesseUs.

[New England, IV. 935.]

Examination of Derrick Wessells.

Derrick Wessells Recorder of the Citty of Albany aged fourty eight j^eares or thereaboutes
being examined saith, tliat on tlie eleaventh of Jime last he was sent from Albany by Govern"'
Dongan to carry the Truce or Cessation made betweene the Kings of England and France to
the Goveruour of Canada, and that the two and twentyeth following hee came to Mount Royall
where hee found the said Governour of Canada and to his owne hand the same day delivered
the letters of the said Cessation, and that the five and twentyeth day of July past he was
againe sent by the said Governour Dongan to carry several! prisoners to Canada, and came
againe to Mount Royall about the seaventli or eighth of August, where finding the Governour
hee delivered to him his letter with the prisoners, and that about two day after the Governour
of Canada directing a discourse to this Examin' and John Rosie who was with this Examinant
and understood French, told to them as the said John Rosie interpreted, that there was gone
out from Canada eleaven of the North Indians in Company with some Maquaes and that the
Maquaes were returned but the North Indians not, and that hee had ordered them to stay but
thirty dayes, and that y*' time was past; but hee hoped they would doe noe mischeife in these
parts, for hee had ordered them to doe none to any Christians, but said, when they are in the
Woods, they doe what they will. Whereupon this examinant replyed that if those Indians
should doe any mischeife in these parts itt would be of ill consequence. And the Governour
of Canada then further said, — who canu helpe that, for yow know that in Europe sometimes
six moneths after a peace there is battles fought before itt is knowne. And this Examinant
replyed, that must be in such places where nothing was knowne of a Cessation, but here itt was
well knowne. And this Examinant further saith that att the time before menconed when he
caryed y^ Cessation to Canada and after the delivery thereof to the Governour there, hee did
every day dureing his stay att Mount Royall, W^*" was about five dayes, see and discourse with a
certaine Indian called Quetseits who formerly lived on Hudson's River and was well knowne to
this Examinant, and that hee left him there, who, as this Examinant understands by the
information of severall of the Schathsooke Indians, was one of the eleaven Indians that have
lately done mischeife in Connecticott River. And further saith not.

Sworne y^ 2-5. of Septemb. 166S before me.

Derrick Wessell. Peter Schuyler, INIayor.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VF. 565

Informatian communicated hij the McKjistrates of Schenectady.

[New England, IV. 1055.]

Schennectida, a tovviie 20 miles beyoud Albany
the 29"" of September 1688.
This is interpreted by Akus in the presence of Capt. Sander Gleen, Johannus Glenn and
Myndart Wemp.

Here are fouer Maquass formerly belonging to our Indians therefoi'e supposed to be spies, come
from Cannada, two Indian men & two Indian Women, and say y' there are fouer more gon to
Tionondoge the third Castle of y^ IMaquass, and that more will come this winter with their
familyes. They report that there was nineteene North Indians who fled from New-England in
the warr time, and Onnagongues,' who acquainted the Governo'' of Cannada that they were
designed to goe to Skachkooke 20 miles from Albany, and kill the Indians there, who fled from
New-England in y" war time ; who would not graunt them leave. Then they desyi'ed leave to
goe upon y* river y' goes to y* Lake, which hee consented that they should bee scoutes, and
withall charged them to doe noe harme. Butt they went to y^ North or New England, and
have brought seven Indian crownes or scalpes and an Indian squaw or woman prisoner; butt
y* Governo"' of Cannada has taken from them the said woman, who told many lyes that the
people here were all in arms ag' y"" French. Butt upon y"" way seven of y' nineteene went
from their company, who have brought up seven Christian crowns or scalpes, which are in
their castle at Mount Royall or Quebeck, and doe say that the Governo"" of Cannada was very
angry with them for this act.

The Governo"' of Cannada is att present in Mont Royall and will stay there till the winter,
as one Kamichcareiade told them.

The Indians that committed the first murder are runn away from Cannada for fear of y'
Governo"' who knows not where they are gone.

The Indians are come with consent of y* Jesuite and say that y" Governo"' of Cannada gave
them liberty to come heither in the midle of summer.

The news from the Sinnekaes country is that two Onnondagoes are come from Cannada to
Onuondagoes, and doe tell that there is a Capt. and two Indians of Onnondagoe killed by y^
Twicktwigs or Ottawawooes.

The said Indians brings five Belts of "Wampum, two being for the Captaines with a roole of
tobacco to smoake when they sitt in Councill, and desired they might not be much discomforted
for y* loss of their people ; and two more [Belts] were given to y^ freiuds of them that were
killed, to condole their death. And the Governo"' of Cannada letts them know that hee takes
itt very ill that the Twicktwigs shoidd kill them. The last Belt is given to Sahousawane a
great friend of the Frenches and the Sachems, and charged them to be quiett ; and sends these
Belts to the Onondagoes, of the Five Nations moste affiscted to y* French; they being the
Cheife of all y* Nations.

' See note, ante p. 482. — Ed.

566 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Governor Androfs to Monsieur de DenonvlUe.

[New England, IV. 935.]

New York, primo Octob'' 1688.
Sir.

This morning upon my arrival! here received advice of further mischeifes by a party of
Indians who have lately killed and taken severall Christians at Caskoe Bay neere Keuebeque
River, where they had before surprized and taken severall others, and bragg of further
encouragement and assistance from Canada; which as itt occasions my speedy returne to
Boston, soe cannot omitt to give yo'"' notice thereof by this e.xpresse, togeather with duplycates
of my former of the ll"" of Aug"' by M'' John Smith, and lO"- September by M"" Derrick
Wessells here inclosed : not doubting but yo'^ will take effectuall order that none of your
Indians doe come that way to joyne with such malefactours & disturbers of the publique
peace, or any such Indians received or sheltred in your government ; and desire that if any
captives should happen to be brought into your parts they be freed, and those that tooke &
bring them secured ; as alsoe some young Indians taken att Spectacle Pond neere Springfeikl
on Connecticott River be sett att liberty and sent home ; and hope I shall soone heare from
yo" effectually, for the further increase of y' mutuall good correspondency w'''' ought to be
betweene the two governments, as comanded by the Kings our masters. And wherein I may
doe yo^ any perticuler service remaining

Sir

Yo"' most iiumble Serv' &''
To the Govern"' of Canada

Colonel Dongan to Governor Androfs and Council.

[New England, IV. 943.]

Gentlemen.

His Majestye expects, as I am informed out of England, that all governments liere in America
should beare their owne charges out of what revenue there is established and tlie rates and
taxes that are or will be raised on the people. Therefore I desire the favour of Kis E.xcell^ and
Councill that IVP Courtland or any two or more who His Excellency and Council! shall thinke
fitt, may audite my accounts from the five and twentyeth day of March last, as alsoe those
accounts w*^*" are before His Excellency and Councill (M"' Courtland as I am informed not
having signed them as audited) and that before His Excel!'' leaves this place; the rest haveing
beene audited and sent for England. The Collectour will give an account of the Revenue he has
received, IVP Courtland will give an account of tlie penny and the halfe p"' pound tliat was raised
for the support of the government, and I myselfe will account for y' five hundred pounds that
was sent by my Lord Effingham, deducting out of the whole what will be found by tlie audite

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 567

disburst by me ; what remaines over and above, to be towards the payment of those moneys
that have beene expended in the Kings service and lyes now before His Excell-^ & Councill.
This kindnesse I desire, knowing itt to be for His Maj"" interest, and hope will be granted.

Gentlemen I am

Yo' most humble Servant

Tho: Dongan.
New Yorke Octob^ 2. 16S8

To His Excellency S' Edmund Andros
and the Hon"" Councill. This.

Mr. Randolpli to the Lords of Trade.

[New-England, IV. S79.]

New Yorke Oct""' y' 8. 1688.
May it please y' LordsP'.

In obedience to Your LordP' commands I humbly represent to your Lords?' that His
Excellencie S"' Edm'' Andros in the months of Aprill and May last visited the English forts
plantations and settlements all along the sea side & upon y" great rivers, from Piscataqua to
Panopscott eastward distant from Boston about 200 miles, and ordred the Cheife of all the
Indians inhabiting those partes, to attend him, which they accordingly did. He commanded
tiiem to call home their young men & not suffer them to run to the French, and to live quietly
with the English their neighbours, assuring them protection from those would harm them, & if
not able to defend themselves, to come and live in the English townes : and left that country in
great peace.

Upon His Excellencyes return to Boston he received His Ma"" gracious commission for the
annexing the Province of New York and y'^ East & West Jerseys to his Ma"" territory of N.
England; whereupon he addressed himselfe to that service with all convenient speed, andfbeing
accompanied with severall of the members of His Ma"" Councill, arrived at New Yorke on
Saterday y' 11"" of Sept. last; being raett by a regiment of foot and a troop of horse belonging
to that place ; His Ma""^' commission was read in y* Fort and afterwards published at y' Citty
Hall, and immediately His Excellence sent for and received from Coll: Dongan the seal of the
late Gov' which was defaced aud broaken in Councill; then a Proclamation for continuing the
revenue, and all persons civil) & military in their respective offices till further order was
published.

From thence His Excellence with severall of the Councill set forward for East Jarsey and
arriving at Elizabeth Town belonging to that Province, on Wednesday following His Ma""
commission was ther published and also the proclamation for continuing the revennue and civill
and military officers till further order : and on y' 19"" being Saterday His Ma"« Commission
was likewise read at Burlington the cheife town in West Jarsey and the proclamationjalso.
The out places of both Provinces very thinly inhabited & not one military officer in all West
Jarsey. They all shewed their great satisfaction in being under His Ma"" immediate Gov'

Upon y"^ 29"> following Coll. Dongan sent to y' Councill an account of .£6482. .7'. .11^^

568 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

money laid out in the late expedition to Albany : he desired it might be audited and allowed
and that that money might be raised and paid to him, to enable liim to pay his necessary
disbursments. The Councill upon serious debate resolved That they had not power to inspect
the accounts of the late Gov' nor to appoint an Auditor thereof; but in regard severall officers
and souldiers raised by Coll : Dongan for His Ma"" service at Albany (and disbanded before
His Excell. entring upon that Gov') applied to His Excellence for their pay, the Councill
ordered that if Coll : Dongan would send them word what sums of money were due to the
severall Officers & souldiers, speedy care should be taken to satisfye them : and that Order was
accordingly delivered to Coll. Dongan, who has not thought fitt to comply therewith, but even
to the last day of His Excell" stay in N. York, has continued to presse for an audite and
allowance of his accounts.

Upon reading in Councill some papers transmitted from y*" Mayor and Aldermen of Albany
to Coll : Dongan, and also a letter of y^ ao"" of August last from Mouns'" Denonville Gov'' of
Canada, it appeared that all was not well with the 5 Nations or Cantons of y" Indians.
Whereupon it was thought fitt that His Excellence should forthwith go to Albany. All things
were made ready and about 50 souldiers to go with the (iov"', and stores of powder and armcs
putt aboard to supply the Fort, and on y' 30"' of August, with severall of the Councill
embark'd for Albany ; where the 5 Nations, having notice that His Excellence was come, sent
their Cheife Warriers and many of the principall men amongst them to bid His Excell.
welcome into the country. They complaind of many hardships done them by the French in
tyme of peace and prayd to be redressed. His Excellence told there was a cessation of amies,
that they must carry themselves freindly to y* French ; commanding them to deliver up all
their French captives, and promised that he would take care of them. They forthwith
delivered to His Excell. a French Child, ten months their prisoner, and assured His Excell. to
send the rest so soon as the weather and the length of the way would admitt ; and so returned
to their homes well satisfied.

Severall Indians living on both sides Hudson's River came to His Excellence, some at Albany,
& and others at a town nigh the River called Kingstone (where Coll. Mason' a member of the
Councill and a loyall gent" dyed and was buried ;) he commanded them lo demean themselves
quietly towards y' Christians their neighbours, invited such of them as were married and gone
else where, to return with tiieir familyes, and that if they wanted land, it should be laid out for
them in convenient places.

During this His Excellence's progresse, newes is brought that five of His Ma"""' Indian subjects
were killd at Spectacle Ponds neere Springfield in y" colony of Connecticutt, and soon after, of
six Christians murthered at Northfield, about GO miles distant from that place, done by eleaven
Indians belonging to y* French, and since the tyme the Gov' of Canada sent from y* King his
master the Articles of Cessation to Coll. Dongan. Upon which His Excell. has, amongst other
things of import for His Ma"" service, demanded of y^ Gov"' of Canada the eleaven murtherers
to be sent to him.

That moniing His Excellence arrived at New Yorke from Albany, he had advise that men
were raised at Boston without his order, and sent to (Jasco Bay to assist the Christians against

' Robert TuhTON, gi-an.lson of tJnptaiii Joliu Mason, propriotor of New Hampshire, having succeeded to his grandfatlier's
estate, assumed tlie name of Mason. He was in the fifty-ninth year of his age wlieu lie died. He left two sons, .John and
Robert, who sold their rights in 1G91 to Samuel Allen of London, merchant, for the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds.
Belknap t Hintory of Kern Hamjishire, I., 191, 192. See also note 3, ante p. 365. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 569

the Indians who had committed some disorders thereaboutes; all which and the uncertainty of
reports from the Eastward, engages His Excellence to go from N. Yorke overland to Boston
(intending to visite Northfeild Springfeild and other townes alarum'd by those mischeifes) to
prevent a second Indian warr.

All which is humbly submitted

By your LordPi" most humble

& most obedient servant,

Ed. Randolph Sec'ry.

Moiiisieur cle Denonville to Governor Andros.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New England, IV. 1059.]

Quebec, 23'' October, 16S8.
Sir

By your envoys, Messrs. Wessell and John Smith, I received three letters from you ; the first
of the 21st August, the second of the Sth September, and the last of the 29th of the same
month.

In answer to the first. Sir, I shall say that I am very glad to have you for a neighbor, being
well persuaded of your good intentions for the maintenance of good understanding between the
two Colonies, as such m our Masters' intentions. Whereupon, Sir, I shall tell you that being
unable, in executing the Treaty entered into between their Majesties, on the 16th November,
1686, mutually to agree upon the differences recently created by Monsieur Dongan, I willingly
refer the decision of all our difficulties to their Majesties, who, on consulting together, will
communicate their pleasure to us. Therefore, Sir, it is not for me to determine nor to agree
whether the Five Iroquois Nations are subjects of the King, your master; whether they are
neuter ; or whether they are subjects of the King, my master, no more than to determine the
other matters in dispute between us.

You must have learned from letters I wrote Mr. Dongan and by Mr. Wessell, that the Iroquois
had agreed with me this summer to send delegates to me from the Five Nations ; who,
communicating to me the ratification of peace, would agree with me as to the proper time to
call a general meeting of all the Indian tribes, the subjects of the King and our allies, for the
purpose of concluding together a general peace, so as not to fall again any more into a new
war. These delegates were to arrive sufficiently early to enable me to give notice to the
Indians to repair to the place of rendezvous which I expected we should agree upon. I know
that all the Iroquois were on the point of coming to see me on that business, and that they
have been prevented, since I have had no news from them that I could transmit to our Indians.

'Tis true that you tell me in your first letter that you will have every regard for the treaty
concluded between the Kings, our masters, and that you will avoid every occasion of misunder-
standing ; and in your last of the 29th September, you tell me that you have ordered the five
Iroquois nations, who have been to Orange to see you, to observe strictly the last treaty, and
that you demanded of them all the French prisoners that are among them. But knowing, Sir,
Vol. III. 72

570 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

how you humor those barbarians, you will not think it strange if I doubt their punctually
obeying your orders unless they come themselves to assure me of it. On this ground, Sir, you
have no reason to find it extraordinary that I notified Mr. Dongan that I had not given any
orders to our far Indians not to commit any acts of hostility for the future, since the Iroquois
know full well that they were pledged to visit me in sufficient season to enable me to send to
Missilimakinac before the ice, to notify the tribes of the place of general rendezvous for the
peace, and that I was not to move until they had arrived to advise me that the peace was
received by all the Five Nations.

Such, Sir, is indeed the truth as to what I expected up to this time. However, to prove to
you the confidence I repose in you, and the sincere disposition I feel to maintain a perfect
understanding between the two colonies, I have sent to all our savages within my reach to
forbid them committing any act of i]ostilit3% and have ordered them to think only of their
hunting as formerly, and I have, besides, withdrawn the garrison I had at Niagara. I assure
you that I would have done more on your word, had the season not been too far advanced, and
your letters reach me too late to enable me issuing any orders to our far nations ; for whatever
diligence I could use, a canoe could never reach half the way before the ice, which causes me
much rrgret. But in default of this, I shall be able to dispatch a canoe early in the spring,
which will make up for that, if I can be assured tliis winter that the Iroquois consent to a
general peace, which is absolutely necessary ibr the union of the two colonies and the progress
of the gospel among all the savage nations.

It being impossible for me, however, at present, to notify our allies, I cannot prevent some
blow being struck against my will, during the winter. To obviate this misfortune, the Iroquois
must avoid wandering very far when hunting, and they ought to be advised to keep close and
be on their guard, until I shall be able to send to our savages to forbid them committing any
hostile acts. It is very annoying, judging from what I could have done, that I did not receive
your letters until the 19th instant, as the ice will make before fifteen days in the rivers through
which it will be necessary to pass.

Be assured, Sir, I am penetrated with respect for your great King, and with zeal and affection
for the maintenance of union between the two colonies, knowing perfectly that such is the
disposition of the King, my master ; and on this ground, Sir, you ought to feel persuaded that
I am very falsely accused of iiaving issued orders for, much less of having consented to the
murder that has been committed by persons who, to escape chastisement, forthwith buried
themselves in the woods. Mr. Wessell, your envoy, could have informed you that I told him
at Montreal that I was very angry with the two bands of savages which had pursued the
Mohawks and Mohegans of your government, despatched by Mr. Dongan to burn and ravage
the colony ; these two parties not having yet returned when the said Mr. Wessells brought me
back from Mr. Dongan the prisoners taken by the Mohegans and the Mohawks.

You know well that I have no doubt that these were despatched by Mr. Dongan, for I have
too many proofs of it, and the thing is only too notorious in your country for you not to be
convinced of it ; he having even furnished ropes to bind the French, whom they might carry
away prisoners, besides all the munitions of war with which he had supplied them for that
purpose.

As regards the Iroquois prisoners, whom I had sent to France, having promised the Iroquois,
as I have done, that I should ask them of the King, you may easily believe that I, through love
of you, shall heartily do all in my power to obtain His Majesty's favor to send them hither ; I

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 571

doubt not, Sir, but you will issue all the necessary orders to liberate all the French prisoners
the Iroquois still retain. It is the favor I ask of you. Be assured, Sir, you will always find
nie very frank and very sincere in favor of the peace and union of both colonies.

I must tell you, Sir, that I have been surprised to learn the violence said to have been
committed by your orders on Sieur de St. Castin at Pentagouet. I should have supposed, Sir,
had you any pretension to that place, it would have been better left to the decision of our
masters, than to commit an act of hostility by pillaging his house. I hope you will give
satisfaction to Monsieur de Menevall, Governor of Acadia.

I must again inform you, Sir, that a pirate which sailed this summer from Rodelan,' where it
took in men and provisions, has plundered Chedabouctou and Campseaux in Acadia, whence
he took off a ship lying there at anchor with a quantity of French merchandize, fish and oil,
which were sold at Boston and along your coast. I am persuaded, Sir, that you will issue all
the orders necessary to have satisfaction given us. A great many of our French scoundrels
who revolted on that occasion, and fled with those pirates after having robbed their masters,
are at present with you. You are too just to harbor robbers.

I assure you, Sir, if such sort of people ever come here from your province, I shall willingly
surrender them ; and I hope you will do likewise, and that you will take every pains to have
those pirates arrested if they be on your coast. Messrs. Wessell and John Smith will give you
information about the vessel those robbers have carried oft'.

You will see. Sir, by the letter I had the honor to write you on the 29th September, the

share this entire country takes in the rejoicing at the birth of a Prince of Wales. I am, with

all my heart. Sir,

Your very humble servant,

The M. DE Denoxville.

To prove to you my good disposition, I have not omitted to give orders, though the season is
very far advanced, for the despatch of a canoe from Montreal for the Outawacs, at the risk of
being stopped it the ice overtake them ; of which I have no doubt.

' Rhode Island. See ante p. 652. — Ed.

572 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Order appointing a Board of Trade and directing the Proclamation of
King William and Queen Mary.

[Board of Trade Journal, VI. 195.]

At the Court at Whitehall, the 16"" of February 16S|.'

Present. — The King's Most Excellent Majesty.

His Roy" Highness Prince George of Denmark

Lord Privy Seal Lord V. Newport

Duke of Norfolk Lord V. Lumley

Marquis of Winchester Lord & of London

L** Great Chamberlain Lord Montagu

Lord Steward Lord Delamer

Lord Chamberlain Lord Churchil

Earl of Shrewsbury M' Bentinck

Earl of Bedford W Sidney

Earl of Macklesfield S"^ Robert Howard

Earl of Nottingham S"' Henry Capel

Lord Viscount Fauconberg M"' Russell

Lord Viscount Mordant M'' Speaker
M"' Hamden.

Tr'ad?a"d"phfnfa- It is this day ordered by His Majesty in Council that the Right Hono'''^ the
tiona appointed. Lord President, The Lord Privy Seal, Lord Steward, Earl of Shrewsbury, Earl
of Bath, Earl of Nottingham, Viscount Fauconberg, Viscount Mordant, Lord Bishop of London,
Sir Henry Capel, M' Powle, and M'' Russell, or any Three of them, bee and are hereby
appointed a Committee of this Board for Trade and Foreign Plantations ; And that their
Lordshipps doe meet on Munday next, the IS"" instant, at si.\ of the clock in the evening in the
Council Chamber, to prepare the Drafts of Proclamations for Proclaiming their Majesties in the
several Plantations and for continuing all persons in their Employments and Offices till further
order, and present them to this Board for His Majesty's approbation.

' King James IL abdicated the Crown, on the Wth of December, 1688; at one o'clock in the morning of which day he
quitted the Kingdom. King Willum III, and Queen M.\ey II, accepted the Crown on the 13 February 168f ; bo that there
was, in fact, an interregnum of two montlis, between the abdication of James II. and the accession of William and Maby.

J. K. B.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 573

Order in. Council on the State of the Plantation,'^^ dr.

[Plantations General Entries. XXXIII. 44.]

Att y* Court at Hampton Court the second day of May 16S9.

By the Kixgs most Excellent Maj*-^' and y' L""' of His Majesty's most Hon""*" Privy Councill.

Upon reading this day att y'^ Board a Representacon made by y'' Right Hon'"'' y' L**" of y'
Com'" of Trade and Plantations concerning his Maj'" Plantacos in reference to a war v.""
France in the words following,

May it please your Majesty

Wee have taken it into consideracon the p''sent state of yo'' Maj'>' Plautacons w"" relation to
y' war with France, and doe most humbly rep''sent to your Maj'*', That y* French carry on a
considerable fishery upon y" Banke of Nevvfuoundland, from which their ships make two ^'oyagl•s
yearly carrying their fish to France and y'' Straights, Wherein y' disturbance they might
receive in that fishery by y' shipps of War of yo"' Maj'' or your allies in their passage too &
from y* West Indies, would be of great Service to yo'' Maj'^ and p'judice to y' French, which
wee doe likewise humbly propose in a more especial manner for y* fishery of Newfoundland in
which Island they have of late years settled divers forts and Plautacons, encroaching upon y'
fishery of yo' Maj'>^ subjects and your Maj'^' Sole Right to that Country, wherein yo"" Maj'>''
subjects doe yett retaine a very considerable Trade and fishery, employing a great number of
ships and sev' thousands of seamen yearly, who carry the fish unto y* Streights and bring home
effects to a very great Valine, whereby your Maj'" customes are very much encreas'd, in
consideration whereof wee think itt will very much conduce to yo' Maj'^^ service, that a
Squadron of Shipps, or att least a speedy convoy be sent thither, either to disturb y' French
in their Settlein'^ and fishery, or to protect yo' Ma'^^'' subjects from y^ attempts of the french,
and that yo' Ma'^ would be pleased to fortifie one of the Harbours in Newfoundland, called S'
Johns Harbo' which may be effected att a small expence, and serve for a retreate, in case of
necessity to y' English shipps & y'= inhabitants of that Island during the Warr. ■

Wee do further humbly submitt to yo' JMat^'' consideration y" speedy selling of such a
government in New-England, New York and y^ Jerseys, as upon recalling S' Edm"* Andros, ;
may enable yo' Maj'^^' Subjects, who are very numerous in those parts, not only to oppose by
their united Forces, the French of Canada & Nova Scotia, but to carry on such further designs
as yo' Maj'y may find requisite for yo' Service, without which union and Government the
French may easih' posses themselves of that Dominion & Trade of those parts, w'*" are so
considerable to y' Crowne,

Wee likewise humbly propose to your Majestic the speedy sending of a Governor to Bermudas,
with such a quantity of Arms, Ammunicon, and Stores of War, as the security of that place
may require.

Wee further take leave to rep'sent to yo' Maj'^ y^ Importance of yo' INIaj"" Charriba Islands,
and more especially y' p'sent condition of S' Christop'' Nevis Antegoa and Mountserrat, y*
last of which is cheifly inhabited by Irish papists, & one half of S' Xtophers posses'd by y*
French, who are more numerous, and in a better posture of defence, then yo' Ma'^' Subjects
inhabiting y* other part of that Island ; so y' yo' Ma"' speedy care and directions, will be
necessary in sending men arms and amunicon to their succor, since otherwise those Islands must

574 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

inevitably fall into the Enimies hands, and draw after them the other Islands aforemenconed,
to y' loss of y' greatest part of y' Sugar Trade of this Kingdome.

Wee further humbly lay before your Maj'^' that y^ north part of Hispaniola, y"" Islands of
Ash' Petit Guaves, & Tarrudos are inhabited by y' French and the receptacle of great numbers
of Privateers, vi^ho may by their neighbourhood to Jamaica & further succors from France, not
only intercept y' Trade of y' your Maj'^' Island, but possess themselves of it also, unless
speedily secur'd by a squadron of Shipps, to be forthwith sent into the West Indies, which
wee humbly conceive absolutly necessary for yo^ Ma''" Service, since either party who shall be
superior at Sea in those parts will in all probabillity prevaile att land.

Lastly wee cannot but humbly take notice to yo'" Maj'^ that as Maryland, Pensilvania, &
Carolina are proprieties of great extent in America, which do not hold themselves subject to
yo'' Ma'''* Imediate Govemm' nor render any ace' to yo^ Ma'^" of their proceedings, yo"" Maj"'
would please in this conjuncture to give such directions as may better secure yo'' Maj"''' interests
in those parts, and put them into a condition of defence ag" y' enimie.

All which is most humbly submitted to yo^ Majesty

Councill Chamber
26 April 1689.

His Majesty in Council was pleased to onV, & it is hereby ord'"" that y' Rt. Hon'^'^ y* L'^' of
y' Com""^ for Trade and Plantacons doe consult w"" y" lU Hon'"'* y^ Comis"'' for Executing the
office of L"* High Admiral about y'= sending of shipps to y*" West Indies, and know from the
s** Com''' what ships may be speedily gott ready for y' Service; And it was further ordered y'
their LqP' do likewise consider of men, Arms and Ammiition to be dispatched to S' Xtophers
as also to propose to his Ma''' y* names of fit p''sons to be sent, as Govern''' to y' Plantacos, &
what may be fitt to be done for his Ma"" service in y* p''sent conjuncture, as well for settling y'
Gov' of New-England, New-York, & y^ Jerzys as for Securing his Ma''' Interest in y" Severall
proprietys in America.

Charles Montague.

Lieutenant Governor Nicholson and Council of Neio-Yorh to the Board of Trade.

[New-Tork Entry, U. 1S7.]

1-5 May 16S9.
May it Please y'' Honors

We have received from severall parts most various Reports concerning the present state of
Affairs in Europe, and in particular of the unparaleld changes in England, Yet to this very
day alltogether destitute of any certainty which we hope to receive ere long, in the mean
while we have thought it our duty by this opportunity for to give your Honor some Ace' of
the troublesome state and condition of this Government, your Honor will find by the enclosed
summons and Declaration upon what pretence some of the Inhabitants, Merchants @ Gentry
of Boston and places adjacent have throwne down all manner of Government there @ set up
for themselves. They have also seized the Govern'' S"" Edmond Andros, with severall of his

' On the 90ut.li side of St Domingo. See Map of America in Harris' Voyages, Vol. II. It is called Isle a Vache by tlie
French. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 575

Councill, officers @ Gentlemen, w'^'' still are kept in close Custody @ Prison, — Disbanded
the standing 3Iilitia, and in fine it is reported suffer the Rabble to committ severall Insolencies.

The Colonies of Road Island and Connecticutt have followed their steps, and it is reported
have chosen for themselves also new Governors. In so much that this part of the Dominion
was onl}- inclined to rest at Peace and Quiet till orders do arrive and would undoubtedly so
continue unless the seed of Sedition had been blown from thence to some of the outward
Skirts of this Province.

And at first in Suffolk County being the East end of Long Island, all Magistrates and
Military officers were put out by the people and other chosen by them. The same Pattern
was also followed by Queens County and County of Winchester.' This would not satisfy
them, but upon hopes to find the Inhabitants of this City divided, and on a fair pretence to
be exceedingly concerned and zealous for the safetj^ of this City and Fort against any attack
or Invasion of the French, Great part of their Militia hath taken up arms, and are now come
at or near Jamaica abt fourteen miles from this place in order if they could to make
themselves Masters of this City @ Fort to Plunder (as it is fear'') this City or at least such
members as they would see cause to expose to the Rabble.

And to that end severall of them with the assistance of some ill-affected and restless spiritts
amongst us, used all imaginable meanes to stirr up the Inhabitants of this City to sedition
and Rebellion, But God be thanked who has blessed our Endeavors, that we have hitherto
prevented their dangerous designs, but know not how long we shall be able to resist their
further attempts

But now were a new alarmed from Albany that some Indians in that Countj', were jealous
of this Government, and that some Insolencys had been committed by them, occasion'' as we
suppose by meanes of some libells and falsehoods lately come from Boston possessing the
Indians with fear that S'' Edmond Andros had joyn'' with the French of Canada to cut
them oft".

It is most certain that the Governor of Canada will not slip this opportunity to Inflame
those jalousies and by all fair @ plausible meanes endeavour to unite our Indians to himself,
„.ch would tend to the utter Ruin of all the English settlements on this Continent

Therefore we shall not be wanting to use our utmost endeavour for removing of s"" Jealousies
and the securing our Five Cantons and Warlike Indian Nations to ourselves

In the midst of all these troubles within ourselves, we were dayly alarmed w"" Rumours of
Wan- with France, which occasioned a resolve to be made for the new fortifying of this City
since all the former (for what reason we know not) are suffered to fall to mine, if not for some
part demolished But how to raise any money for the accomplishing of any such Fortifications
no way could be found to resolve us therein as our condition is now

At this very juncture of time began severall Merchants to dispute the paying of any Customs
and other duties, as illegally establised and seeing that it was not possible to put a stop to
their Currant or to uphold the Revenue on the same Foot we convened all the civil Magistrates
and military officers of this Cit}', and with their consent and advise, did order that the
said Revenue arising by the Customs Excise and Weighhouse from the first day of this
instant month of May sh'' be applied towards the paying and defraying of the Charges of s"*
Fortifications, by which meanes we hope in some manner to preserve the said Revenue

The Collector Matthew Plowman has been ever since the 25"" day of March last daily called

' Westchester. — Ed.

576 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

upon to give in his acct. of tlie Revenue till said date according to order, and since he hath
hitherto delayed to perform said order, As also for the more security we thought it most safe
to call out his hands and secure in the Fort what little money of the Revenue and the County
Tax was in his hands, which is sealed up by himself in a chest, the auditor is now busie in
auditing said accompts, but our time being wholly taken iip in keeping all things in order,
must be sent by the next opportunity.

In all these Revolutions and troubles we have been deprived of all advise & assistance of
any other members of the Councill, so that all the burthen in this present conjuncture, has
only lain on these few members residing at New York.

We sent a letter to Governor Andros since his confinement, as also one to Simon Broadstreet
& Wait Wiuthorpe Esq"' at Boston but have received no answer

This part of the Govenim' is by occasion of said revolutions deprieved from its free course
of Justice since the Judges appointed for this circuit are also in custody at Boston, by which
meanes many here suffer exceedingly both in person & estates

It would be now also very needful for to lay open, how fatall it hath been to this city and
the Province of New Y'ork for to be annexed to that of Boston, which if it had continued
would have occasioned the totall ruin of the Inhabitants of said Province

But since we conjecture that the present conjuncture of the Aftairs in Generall will not
admit of an immediate redress we shall therefore not trouble your Honor at present therewith
only hoping and most humbly praying that the Inhabitants of this province may receive that
common Justice, that nothing be determined to their disadvantage before the severall
grievances of this Province be heard. And that your Honor will be pleased to make such
their complaints known to such as may be able to give relief therein till we can receive
certain Intelligence and needfuU orders which we daily expect and shall in the Inter'' remain
May it please y' Honor

Y"' Hon" most humble Serv"
The Lieu' Gov: @ Councill now residing in New York
Francis Nicholson
Fred: Flypse
Ste Courtlandt
'W. Bayard

Inclosed is also a copy of a pass which shews what title they take upon them.

' N. Bayard. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 577

Bedaration of the Freeholders of Svffolh covnty^ Long Island.

[Xcw-Tork Papers, li. II. ISO.]

The declaration of the Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County of Suffolk
upon Long Island in the Territory of A'ew England.

1". Being alaniied b}- a printed declaration at Boston the IS"" last of the Gentlemen March"
and countr}- adjacent, manifesting the grounds of their seizing the Gov"" and Govern' into their
hands, wishing all others their neigbours to follow them; and our Country of England's
example for securing our English nations liberties and propertyes from Popery and Slavery,
and from the Intented invasion of a foraign French design and more than Turkish crueltys,
by relation, already acted upon several! of our nation, and others of our neighboures in the
West Indies, and particularly Italia. And we being persons of all others our neighbours, who
have groaned under the heavy burdens imposed upon us by an arbitrary power for a considerable
time together, without the lest molestation on our parts, and being under the like circumstances
of being invaded by a forraign ennemy, which the other English America is alarmed which
moved us to do something at this time for our owti self preservation being without any to
depend on at present, till it pleases God to order better. —

ondi.v_ Therefor we esteem it our bounden duty to use all lawful endeavours for securing our
head quarters of New York and Albany forts, and all other fortifications, and the same to put
into the hands of those whom we can confide in, till further order from the parliament in
England.

3'"y. We also think it our duty to use our best endeavours for the i-edemption and securing
of all such moneyes as has been lately e.xtorted from us by the aforesaid power ; as also to
secure all those persons reputed to be the ennemyes of the peace and prosperity of our country
and the fundamental laws of our English nation, as aforesaid till further orders.

Lastly : We firmly beleive that herein we have endevoured nothing less, than what mere
duty to God and our country doth call for at our hands, comitting our enterprise to his blessing,
and desire all our neighbours to join with us in praises and all just actions for the prosperity
and safty of our country from all approaching dangers. Dated in Southampton May 3. 1GS9.

May 10"". Capt° Howell, Southampton.

Capt° Wheeler, Easthampton

Capt" Piatt, Huntington,
gon downi to demand the Fort to be delivered into the hands of such persons as the country
shall chose. —

Vol. III. 73

578 NEW-YOKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. Bandolph to the Lords of Trade.

I Nt-w England, V. 42. ]

To the Right Hon'"''' tlie Lords of the Committee for Trade & Foreign Plantacons.

A short narrative of the present unsettled state of His Ma'^^ territory and
dominion of New England, and of the imminent danger of its being
overrun by the French Forces in Caniiada, if not timel}' prevented : humbly
presented by Edward Randolph.

May it please yo"' Lordships.

Upon the eightenth day of Aprill last the people of this country being prepossessed with
strange feares and jealousyes against S'' Edmund Andros Gov'' and some of the members of
the Council, took amies, and in a short time made themselves masters of the fort castle and
Rose frigott. They seized upon the Gov' and committed him to strict guard in the Fort, some
they sent to the Castle, and imprisoned me and others in the common goale in Boston. The
reasons of their suddain proceedings are published in their printed papers herewith humbly
transmitted N" 1. '2.

Since which much time hath bin spent in consulting with the mobile what modell of
government to erect, as by their papers N° 3. 4. But your LordP' will finde b}' their paper
N° 5. that they intend to reassume and act according to the rules of their former Charter

My Lords. There were some persons inhabitants of Boston attending last yeare at
Whitehall^ who under pretence of grievances and hardships put upon them by the Govern'',
laboured by all meanes to sett aside the government as it was then established, and to obtaine
confirmacou of their former Charter from the late King James, and had so farr insinuated
themselves into the good opinion of Father Peters and S"' Thomas Powis late Atturney Gen",
that by the assistance of M"' Brent of the Temple, their solicitor, they obtained a report from
Sir Thomas Powys to the then Lords of the Committee for Trade, in their favour, that their
former Charter was illegally vacated ; a duplicate whereof they transmitted to their party in
Boston, with assurance of obtaining a Charter with larger power; and they, in confidence of
their Agents good successe and impatient of further delays, revolted, and thereby anticipated
by force that favour they would not tarry to receive from England.

About the yeare One Thousand Si.\ Hundred Seventy Eight it was made apparent to the
Right Hon''''^ the Lords of the Committee for Trade by the opinion of S"' Will"" Jones and
S"' Francis Winington then Atturney and Solicitor Gen", that the severall articles of high
misdemeanour objected against the Govern'' & Company of the Massachusetts Bay in New
England for their maleadministracon, were a sufficient gromid (if proved) for his Matye to
proceed against their Charter by law; some of which are as follows, viz' — Coining money
without His Ma'J"'' permission ; — Tradeing contrary to y' Acts of Navigacon, whereb}' His
Ma'^' revenue was greatly impaired (as was made cippeare by the peticon of severall eminent
Merchants of London presented to His Maf in Council,) Not allowing those or any other
Acts of Parliament to be in force with them unless soe declared in their Gen" Assembly; —

' Reverend Increase Mather was sent to England in April, 1688, as agent for tlie province of Massacliusetts. Ho
embarked at night and in disguise to avoid the service of a writ which Randolph had taken out against him. Samuel
Nowel, Elisha Hutchinson, and Richard Wharton, united with him in London. Uutclunson's History of MastachuscUs, L,
366, 367. Chalmers' Political Annals, 407. —En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 579

Denying appeales from their Courts to England ; — Laying Customes upon the goods of His
Ma"" subjects (not freemen of the colony) tho' imported directly from England; — And for
prosecuting by fines, imprisonment, whipping, banishment & putting to death. His Ma'-'"
subjects for matters in religion. All which were confessed by their Agents in their petition
to His Ma'" during their attendance at Court to answer the complaints of M"' Mason and
i\r Gorge for invadeing their Provinces of New Hampshire and Maine in New England.
Whereupon S'' Robert Sawyer then Atturney Gen" was ordered by the Lords of the Committee
for Trade to bring a Writt of Quo Warranto against their Charter, which for those severall
offences and alsoe for refusing to submitt to such a regulacon in the management of their
government so as all His Ma''' subjects might finde equall justice amongst them; and upon
their refusing alsoe to plead (tho' they had all favotir and time allowed them to make their
defence) was vacated, and a commission granted to severall gentlemen, members of their late
Council, to exercise government in that colony ; of w'^'" number was M'' Bradstreet (present
pretended Govern''), who refused, and the others with great difficulty accepted thereof, as
nppeares by the printed paper N° G.

About the yeare one thousand six hundred eighty five the French of Canada encroached
upon the lands of the subjects of the Crowne of England, building forts upon the heads of
their great Rivers, & extending their bounds, disturbed the inhabitants, and layd a clayme to
those lands which for many yeares had belonged to the English ; and under pretence of a
right to the sole fishery between the degi'ees of forty three and forty six North latitude, they
seized eight New England ketches loaden with fish off the coast of Nova Scotia, took away
all their fish, ti'eated the masters most barbarously and afterwards carryed them and most of
the ketches to Rochell, where they were a long time imprisoned. The masters came
afterwards from thence to New England. I then assisted them in their applicacon to the
Earle of Sunderland and to the Lord Preston, then Embassador in France; but his Lordshiji^
though he pressed the matter, could obtaine noe redresse. Whereupon it was advised and
ordered in Council that the three small Colonyes of Connecticott New Plymouth and Rhode
Island, not able to make any defence against the French, together with the Provinces of New
Hampshii-e and Maine, should be united and made one entire government, the better to
defend themselves against invasion. And accordingly a commission was directed to S'
Edmund Andros with instruccons to take them all under his care, which he accordingly
accepted and they in a short time submitted thereunto.

The French about Canada intending to engrosse the whole beaver trade to themselves, did
in the time of peace surprize about twenty seven of the chiefe Captains belonging to the Five
Nations of the Indians (traders with the towne of Albany in the government of New Yorke)
who had subjected themselves to the Crowne of England many yeares agoe & have bin
accounted subjects and p''tected both by the Dutch and English Government att New Yorke.
And accordingl}^ Coll. Dongan received orders from England to assist and support these Five
Nations of Indians against the French ; and certainly they had destroyed and outed the
French out of Canada, had not Coll. Dongan, upon the insinuation of a French Jesuite, kept
the Indians (much against their inclinacons) in Albany, maintained at the Kings charge for
severall weeks; in which time the French Govern"' supplyed his forts with all sorts of stores
and p''visions for one yeare in four hundred birch canoes, which would have otherwise fallen
into the hands of our Indians, and the forts alsoe not longer able for want of supplyes to hold
out. Coll. Dongan raised men in New Yorke, which he kept for some time at Albany, and
has charged for that expedition about six thousand four hundred pounds, as by his originall

580 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

account appeares, of which I have something (when in Enghmd) to lay before your Lordships.
The French by their artifices obtain'd at our Court a treaty of trade and commerce,
betweene the subjects of the two Crowns, in the yeare 16SS. which tho' very disadvantagious
to the English in those parts of America, yet since the Provinces of New Yorke and the
Jerseys have bin united to New England under the governm' of S"" Edmund Andros, that
treaty has bin duly observed, both by our Indians and English, but not generally by the
French. They very much court the Five Nations of Indians to submitt to the government of
Canada, and by their Jesuites strangely allure them with their beades crucifixes and litle
painted Images, gaining many new converts. One Monsieur Town-to' a French officer from
Canada has enlarged their pretensions and settled a Fort and garrison upon the Lakes on the
back side of Carolina. During this cessation upon the treaty of peace and commerce, they
are not idle, bvit attempting upon the English interest in these parts of the world.

About August last, the time S"' Edmund Andros went to take possession of the government
at New Yorke, eleven French Indians, killed five of our Indians neere the towne of Springfield
and soon after five English at the towne of Northfield upon Connecticutt River; they fled to
Canada, and tho' knowhe by name and demanded by S' Edmund Andros, yet Marque
d'Nonville the French Governour refused to surrander them. Soon after the Indians to the
Eastward upon a misunderstanding betwixt them and the English, fell upon the English townes
in the Province of Maine, destroyed their corne and cattle, burnt their houses, killed some and
took others of the inhabitants prisoners; having with them a French priest in their councills.

' Henuy de Tonti was the son of Governor Tonti, of Gayette, Naples, who, after the reTolution iu that kingdom, reinoveJ
with liis family to France. We learn from his petition published in Sparks' American Biography, XL. 203, that he
entered the army as a cadet, iu which capacity he was employed in the years 1668 and 1669; he afterwards served as a
midshipman four years, and made seven campaigns, four on board ships of war and three in galleys. While at Messina, he
IKis made Captain-Lieutenant. When the enemy attacked the post of Libisso, his right hand was shot away by a grenade,
and he was taken prisoner and conducted to Metasse, where he was detained six months and then exchanged. lie next
returned to Sicily and made a campaign as volunteer in the galleys, and when the troops were discharged at the peace, he
repaired to court, where he was fortunate in gaining the protection of the Prince de Conti, who recommended him to La
Salle, with whom he went to Canada in 1678. lie accompanied this eelebiated adventm-er to the Illinois country, where
he erected Fort Crevecour, and thence ])roceeded with him in 1682 in his famous exploration of the Mississippi river. At
the termination of these discoveries, he remained, in 1683, commandant of Fort St. Louis (Peoria, Illinois), where, in 1684,
he repulsed an attack made by a party of two hundred Iroquois. He visited Quebec, in the course of the same year, by
orders of Governor De la Barre ; and having returned to Illinois as Captain of foot and Governor of Fort St. Louis, he set out
again iu the beginning of 1686 {Charlevoix, II., 259, says 1685), for the mouth of tlie Mississippi, iu search of his chief. La Salle,
who was expected to reach that quarter by sea. His search proving unsuccessful he returned, and iu 1687 brought down
a party of Illinois to the aid of Denonville in his attack on the Senecas, where he commanded a company of Canadians, and
forced the enemy's ambuscade. In 1689 he departed for Texas in search of the remains of La Salle's people, b>it having
been deserted by his men, he was obliged to relinquish his design when within seven days' inarch of the Spaniards. Ho
again visited the mouth of the Mississippi in 1700, and aided Iberville in erecting a fort in that quarter, where he was
employed several years aftei-wards. Of the date of his death, we have not been able to find any record. He was a man of
great nerve and bravery, and exercised a powerful influence in the western country where he was known by the soubriquet
of "Bras de for," or the " Iron Hand," from a knob of that metal which he carried, covered with leather, as a substitute for
the hand he had lost. Witli this weapon he would dash into the centre of an Indian melee, and at a blow break the head
that came in contact with it. Next to La Salle he contributed the most to the exploration and knowledge of the Mississippi
valley. A 12rao. volume has been published, entitled "Dernicres Decouvcrtes dans l'.\mtriquc Septentionale de M. de La
Sale; mises an jour par M. lo Chevalier Tonti, Governeur du Fort Saint Louis aux Islinois, Paris, 1697;" it was reprinted
in Amsterdam in 1720, and in the 5th volume of the Recueil do Voyages an Nord, under the title of "Relation de la
Louisianne et du Mississipi par le Chevalier de Tonti, Governeur du Fort Saint Louis aux Islinois;" and in English as, "An
Account of M. De La Salle's Last Expedition and Discoveries in North America; presented to the French King and published
by Chevalier Tonti, Governour of Fort St. Louis, in the Province of Illinois. Made English from the Paris original. London,
1698." Charlevoix, however, says that M. de Tonti disavowed the publication. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS s VI. 581

Upon the Govemo" retunie from Albany to Boston (where the Five Nations of Indians
express'd great duty and obedience,) finding the Indians continuing to make spoil upon the
English plantacons, it was ordered in Councill that a considerable force should be raised, and
the conduct of that expedicon was otiered upon verj^ good terms to JNlnjor Generall Winthrop
one of the Councill ; but he, unwilling to serve His native countrey, and others also refusing
that command, the Governo'' undertook that difficult fategue in the depth of winter ; and the'
by unusuall mildness of the winter the rivers and lakes were not frozen, so as his men could
maixh after the Indians when and where he intended, yett they were wholly restrained from
doing any dammage to the English townes, by severall forts built by him so advantageously,
upon the rivers and passes. Upon the first frost he was out a week in the head of one hundred
and twenty good men, marching a foot thro' dismall and almost impassable swamps, at which
time were taken and destroyed about thirty Indian canoes. Some time after a party of one
hundred and sixty men marched above one hundred and twenty miles right up into the
countrey, in a deep snow, and burnt two Indian forts from whence they carried corne beaver
ammunition and goods taken from English, and destroyed and brought away twenty eight
Indian canoes, and reduced them to the use of their bows and arrows that they could not
much longer hold out, but beg their lives upon any ternies, had not some merchants in Boston
(Foster & Waterhouse) chiefe in this rebellion (during the Governo'" absence from thence) sent
a vessell of forty tunns with supplyes of pow^der, shott, bread, Indian Corne, and English
linnen and woollen manufacture to trade with those Indians and the French, betweene Port
Royall and Penobscott, who were alsoe in great want.

The Governo" left the forces to the Eastward on the sixtenth of March and arrived in Boston
about a week after, and assoon as those souldiers had notice of the disturbance in Boston, some
forsooke, others revolted, seized upon their officers, and sent them bound prisoners heither ; so
that all that countrey, extending above fourty leagues upon the sea shore, that was secured in
their fishery and sawmills is novi^ deserted and left to the ravage of the barbarous heathens,
who are already come down, have destroyed and burnt some forts and severall dwelling
houses and kill'd some of the people the miserable inhabitants, in no way capable to preserve
themselves and cattle but by flight.

The French have above four thousand good men about Canada, ready for any designe.
I expect that upon the newes of the Bostoners reassuming their old government (no care
being taken for the out townes and Provinces) they will joyne with the Indians, and in a
short time swallow and be masters of that part of the Countrey (not long since granted to
the French West India Company by patent from their King,) and then being possessed of our
best ports & harbours, be masters of all the great masts in New England and will infest the
trade of other the English forraine plantacons : the prevention whereof was one chiefe
ground of putting all those petty governments under one generall Governour.

My Lords. Notwithstanding all the pretensions of grievances menconed in their papers,
and cryes of oppression in the Govern" proceedings, it's not the person of S"" Edmund Andros,
but the government itself, they designe to have removed, that they may freely trade ; and
therefore urge a necessity of His Ma'J" grant for a new or confirming their old charter.

I take leave humbly to represent to yo'' Lordshipps that the bottom and plain truth of the
whole matter of complaint against His Majestyes immediate government from England arises
upon the following reasons.

1" Because since the vacating their charter they have bin kept from the breach of the
Acts for Trade and Navigacon, encouraged by their former government to trade to France

582 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Holland Spaine Scotland and Ireland, bringing the commodityes of those Kingdomes directly
to Boston, paying only a small custome for the support of their own government, and alsoe
carrying the plantacon commodityes directly to those" kingdomes, without ever touching at or
paying the customes in England as the law requires. They are restrained from setting out
privateers who for many yeares together robbed the Spanish West Indies and brought great
bootyes to Boston ; and also they durst not during the Governour's time, harbour pyratts.
This place was the common receptacle of pyratts of all nations.

2"^. About fifteene yeares agoe Captain 1' Moin a Frenchman brouglit in, two or three very
rich Dutch prizes worth above one hundred thousand pounds. M' Richard Wharton one of
the Agents soliciting for the Charter (if in England) was L'Moins Atturney. He was a great
undertaker for pyratts and promoter of irregular trade. I forbear to trouble yo"' Lordships
with the instances of any more pyratts who have bin received and p'tected by some now in
the present government.

3"* They have bin restrained from tradeing with the French at Newfoundland, by express
order from the Commiconers of His Matyes Customes, which very much enraged those
merchants who traded in great quantityes for brandy and other French goods, brought thither
directly from France.

4 Their liberty of coining nionej^ is taken away which encouraged pyratts to bring their
plate hither, because it could be coined and conveyed in great parcells undiscovered to be
such. M' Sewell another of the Agents attending in England was Master of the Mint, and a
looser by putting that down.

5"" The JNIinisters, who in their Government were chiefe in advising and directing matters
of publique import, as well in electing Magistrates as in makeing laws and what else did
relate to the government, and now chiefe in contriving & setting on foot this generall revolt
and subversion of the government; were not consulted with.

Their present practice since their revolt is a sufficient demonstracon of what they intend to
doe when they receive a Charter. They have already sett at liberty severall pyratts
imprisoned in the common gaole, who robb'd a Spanish ship loaden with about four thousand
Spanish hydes, money, plate, and rich commodityes, which they brought into this countrey,
murthered eight of the men, & brought with them two Spanish captives, who, with the
confession of some in their company at sea, have made undenyable proofe of it ; and they
have liberty to sell their hydes and go about their business ; since which the pyratts have sold
the two Spanish witnesses in this towne.

Three privateers are now fitting out for tlie Spanish West Indies.

Five Ministers of Boston, viz' Moode,' Allen, ^ Young, Mather,^ Willard,'^ and INIilbuni an
Anabaptist Minister, were in the Councill Chamber on the eighteenth of Aprill when the
Govern"' and myselfe were brought out of the Fort before them, writeing orders, and were
authors of some of their printed papers.

My Lords. I am kept very inhumanely and the Governour worse, whose packett sent by
expresse order from Wiiitehall and letters of both publick and private concernes of his and

' RevorenJ Joshua Moody, a Congregational minister, originally of rortsmouth, New Ilnmpsbire, and afterwarcls assistant.
of the first church in Boston, graduated at Harvard in 1653, and died July 4, 1G97, aged 64. Ei>.

' Reverend James Allen, a graduate of Oxford, England, came to America in 1662. lie died, while minister of the first
Congregational church in Boston, Soptemhcr 22, 1710, aged 78 vears. Ed.

* Reverend Cotton Mather. IluU-h.

* Reverend Samuel Willaud, of the Old south church. Boston, and president of Harvard college, where he graduated in
16E9; died September 12, 1707, ftged 6S. — En.

LUNUUN DOCL'MKXTS: \l. 588

mine, are stop'd and open'd by S'' William Pliips, wiio says tlie Govern'' is a rogue and sliall
not have his packetts nor letters, and pretends an order for so doing and keeps them from us.
I humbly intreat the favour otf your Lordships that I be not exposed here to the malice of
those who, for my faithfull service to the Crowne for fourteen yeares in this countrey, are
become my enemyes ; but rather, if yo' Lordships please, that they may be commanded to
send over me and my accusers to England, to answer what they have to charge me with.

I have many things (relateing to the well being of this countrey) of great import to His
3Ia'>'' service, which, being now a closse prisoner and all my papers and materiall writeings
kept from me, 1 am in no condition to transmitt to yo"' Lordships, but expect, with patience
by your Lordships direccons for a speedy opportunity for so doing.

All which is humbly submitted by

Edw. Randolph.
From the Common Gaole in

Boston the 29. of May 16S9.

Indorsed " Ilec'' from AP Randolph
" 3 July. 16S9."

Adclre^-s of the Militia of jS'eic-York to William and Mary.

[New- York Tapers, B. U. ICL]

To their Most Sacred Majesties, William King and Mary Queen of England France and
L-eland ettc. The humble address of the Millitia and of the inhabitants of the City of
New York in America. —

Although wee your Majesties dutiful loyall and obedient subjects have not yet Received the
honor to have 3^our Majesties proclaimed amongst us, no shipps as 3'et being arrived to us from
England to our great sorrow, yet wee haveing by way of Barbadoes, reC* the joyful news
and undoubted satisfaction, that your Majestys being proclaimed King of England France and
Ireland, wee can not forbear to prostrate ourselves with all submission at your Royall feet,
and to expresse our exceeding joy at your so happy accession to the crown of your Excell*
Majesties; blessing the great God of heaven and earth who has pleased to make your Majesty
so happy an instrument in our deliverance from Tyranny, popery and slavery, and to put it
into your Royall breasts to undertake so glorious a work towards the reestablishment and
preservation of the true protestant Religion, liberty and property, had we tho in so remote
a part of the world, presumed to hope to be partakers of that blessing, we having also long
groaned under the same oppression, having been governed of late, most part, by papists, who
had in a most arbitrary way subverted our ancient priviledges making us in effect slaves to
their will contrary to the laws of England ; and this was chiefly effected by these who are
known ennemies to our Religion and liberty; yet we have with all humbleness submitted
ourselves thereto, not doubting but the great God would in his own time send us deliverance,
which we now see so happily effected by your Royal self, who with our most gracious Queen
Mary we pray Almighty God long to bless, prosper and continue over us. Now we your

584 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Majesties most loyall subjects being not only encouraged but invited by your Royall declaration
at your first arrival in England, as alsoe since by the unanimous declaration of the Lords
spiritual and temporal assembled at Westminster thought it our bounden duty to do our
endevour to preserve and secure ourselves, and to preserve our being betrayed to any forraigne
Ennemy, which we have done without any lett or hindrance or any molestation to any person
by taking possession in your Majesty's names of the fort of this citty — disarming some few
papists tiierein and do keep and guard s'' fort against all your Majesties ennemies whatsoever
until such time your Majesty's Royall will shall be further known, wholly submitting ourselves
to your Majestyes pleasure herein. — Yet we had not presumed to have done this before we
had your Majestyes Royal order, but that we were under most just fears and jealousyes
to have been betrayed to our ennemy — Our late Governour Sir Edmund Andross executing
a most arbitrary commission procured from the late King, most in command over us being
bitter papists; our Lieut: Gov"' Capt" Nicholson, altho a pretended protestant, j-et, contrary
both to his promises and pretences, countenancing the Popish party, denying to exclude both
Officers in the custom house and Souldiers in the fort, being most Papists, contrary to the
known laws of England, altho he was often thereto solicited, and the Companies of our train
bands keeping guard in the s"* fort being threatened by the said Lieut: Gov: Capt" Nicholson
for acting nothing beyond their duty in the said fort of the said City and County, placing a
sentinnell at a certain sally port in the said fort where we might justly suspect an ennemy to
enter, and at some other convenient places which required the same, which lie refuseing,
entertaining secretly at the same time severall souldiers wholly strangers to the Towne
being some Irish into the Garrison and threatning our Serjeants and [one] of the officers^ only
upon reasonable aplication to him made to pistol them with unreasonable expressions to fire
the town about our ears or words to that effijct, and of the rash hasty and furious expressions
and threats against us for so acting, our duty civilly and with submission all which for the
preservation of our lives and estates, and in order to be able to defend ourselves against any
forraigne or domestic ennemy, and for the preservation of our Religion, liberty and property,
we have been fain to do, and now do with all submission lay ourselves at the feet of your
sacred Majestyes, humbly imploring your jNLajestyes favor and protection assuring your
Majestyes our only design and intentions was to secure ourselves and country to be wholly
devoted to your Maj'^'^' will and pleasure in the disposeing of our Govern'; to which we are
ready with all Loyalty and obedience to submit, and we shall always be petitioners to the
throne of heaven that God would bless your Maj"'" with a long and liappy reign over us, and
with a succeeding issue to sit on the throne of their ancestors whilst the world endureth —
dated at New York the day of June 16S9. —

' Lieut. Hendhick Cvyler, of Captain De Peyster'a company, Docnmentary History of New -York, 8vo., 11., 10, 11, 12. See
post p. 693, — ■ Ed,

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 585

The Council of Kew- York to the Eaii of Shrewsbury.

[ New-York Enlry, II. 200. ]

New-York 1GS9 June lO*
May it please your Lopp'

By the Shipp Beaver John Corbet master who departed lience about the middle of May,
wee gave y' Lopp an account of the deplorable state and condition of the Government as p'
the enclosed Copie may appear, since we have about five days past by Gazetts and some
Letters and passengers from Barbadoes and Boston, Received the certainty of the over joyfull
and most happy News of the illustrious Prince @ Princes of Orange being proclaimed King
and Queen of England. &c. And were in dayly hopes to be so happy as to receive the suitable
Orders for to observe the same solemnities here, But before we could be made partakers of
those our happy desires. It is come to pass that by the meanes and ill contrivances of some
disaffected and dangerous persons all manner of Government is totally overthrown here in like
manner as to that of Boston, whereby the state of this Citty (who depends wholly on Trade)
is become very desperate, no person being safe either in Person or Estate which undoubtedly
will cause its utter Ruin unless prevented by sending some sudden Releif, For on the 31" day
of May last the Fort James was seized by the Rable whilest the Lieutenant Gov"' and Gouncill
with all the Civill Majestrates and Military officers except Capt" Leislor were met at the City
Hall to consult w' might be adviseable tending to the common safety of the place and allaying
of all Uproar and Rebellion

Herewith we send your Lopp the Minutes of the Councill here as also the Minutes of the
Generall Assembly of the Councill, Mayor, Aid", Common Councill and Military officers of
this City, By the perusal whereof your Lopp will be best informed of the particulars past
since the departure of said Ship Beavor and therefore shall not intrude on your Lodps patience
in making a Rehearsall of said Particulars here

We cannot yet learn that hardly one person of sense @ Estate with" this City and Parts
adjacent do countenance any of these ill and rash proceedings except some who are deluded
and drawn in by meer fear which do hope that a Generall Act of oblivion will salve all But
it will be most certain in case no exemplary Punishent be establisht that in future time, at
every Act of the Government, not agreeing to the tempers of such ill-minded people, the same
steps must unavoidably be expected

And since we are assured sufficiently that although Orders from his now Mat'' should arrive
for the continuing of the Persons formerly entrusted in the Government that no such orders
would be obeyed.

We have therefore thought it adviseable that the Lieut' Governor Capt" Francis Nicholson
doe depart by the first ship for England to render an account of the present deplorable state
of affairs here, most humbly praying that his Mat^ will be graciously pleased to afford this
City & Province such speedy Relief as the present exigency & necessity requires

And to that end we humbly pray that y"" Lodp will be pleased immediately upon y* Receipt
hereof to take such due @ speedy care that y' State @ Condition of this City @ province
& the Lihabitants thereof may be made known to our most Gracious Soveraignes, whose

Vol. in. 74

586 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Illustrious P''son God be pleased long to presence, aud whose Reigns may be ever prosperous
@ happy to the subduing of all Heresy and Popery which are the hearty and dayly prayers
of us who remain

May it please y"' Lodps

¥■■ Lodps most humble serv"

Feed Flypse
s' courtlandt
N. Bayard.

Dcpo-sition. of John D'lMcliliKjton.

[Xcw-Tork, ir 194.]

The Deposition of John Dischington aged therty foure yeares or tiiereabouts
testifieth and saith.

That upon the third daj^ of this instant June arriving iieare Conny Island from the Island
of Barbadoes, a wherry came aboard his sloope with six armed men, with muskets, with
whom this deponent came up to Yorcke, and they landed him att the back side of the Fort,
where William Churcher and a file musquettirs stood ashoare and bid this deponant not to
speake a word before he should come before the comandor ; and he carried him into the
Fort before Jacob Laisler, who demanded of this Depon' the newes att Barbados, w'^"' he told
him and alsoo gave to s"* Jacob Laisler severall printed news and gazettes, amongst which was
a London gazette published by authority from Thurdsday Feb. the fourteenth to Monday Feb.
the eighteenth 16S8, containing the Kings proclamation, and then this Deponant w^ent to his
house. That same night Edward Buckmaster who keeps a taverne told this Depon' that M""
Charles Lodwick and some other company did read some news in his house, and the nextt
morning meeting M"' Lodwick in the streets, asked him for the printers paper, who answered
thatt he had given them to M'' Laisler againe. Then this Deponant writ to M'' Laisler,
demanding the papers of him, who answered hee had delivered them to M"' Lodwick, and
sent Sargiant Walsgrave witli this Deponent to M'' Lodwick, with orders to deliver the papers
to this Deponant, who being very timorous to doe it, but att last delivered them accordingly.
And then this deponent delivered the papers to liis Honour the Leften' Gouvern^ And
further saith not.

(signed) Johx Dishington

New Yorke 1089 June the o"-
Swonie before me

S. V. CoRTi.AXDT Mayor.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 587

DejJOi-itioii of P]iili2> French.

[ New-York, II. 1!15. ]

The Deposition of jSr Philip French, merchant, aged two and twenty yeares or
there abouts, testitieth and saith.

Thatt coming from Boston the S"" of this instant May some time in the aftemoone, neare
the house wheare Rebecca formerly lived over y' fresh water about one mile out the towne,
was stopt by a Sargiant and a musquitteer as appeared by their armes, and asked from whence
he came ; he answered from Boston ; then stand, said they. This Deponent asked them,
why must I stand. They answered, You must stand, it is our order, rising his halbard
toward this Deponent, saying. Damn you doe not speake one word more or i'l kill you. The
Deponent asked why they did take him ; they answered having heard thatt he was a coming
they were ordered to carry him to the Fortt. And coming at the house of John Merroed this
Deponent desired tlieir leave to light and get a fresh horse and a cup of drink, w'^'' they after
a long while granted, and while he was in the house the soldiers stood at the doore, their
armes rested, att first forbidding him to speake to an}-, or others to him concerning the present
affaires of state. Upon the way this Deponant asked them " what if I had come another
way ;" they answered, you could not come an other way. in the townie but would have beene
taken, for there are centries out all about. Soe goeing to the Fort they put the people from
him as he was coming along, with their halbards, bidding them to stand off, uutill they came
into the fortt. Then they sent for their Comandors, w*^"" appeared to bee M"" Jacob Laysler
and M' Charles Lodwick, who examined this Deponant about the present affaires in
Engelandt and whether he had any letters for this place. Then M' Lodwdck asked for the
kay of his portmantel, which this Deponent opened him selfe ; they taking out the cloaths in a
rude manner & finding onely two letters, one for M' De Payster and one for M" Brockhols.'
Some of the people in the roome said, Sweare him whether he hath not left any letters
behinde. The Deponant answered, who is here that dare tender mee an oath. They
answered ; whatt, you think us to be fools in the Fortt ; and so gatt leave and went out ;
and further saith uott.

(signed) Phillip French Jn"".

New Yorcke 16S9. June the 7""
Swome before me

S. V. CoRTLANDT Maj'or.

The above said M' Philip French further declared that being on board the Prudent Sarah,
Benjamin Gillem Masf coming from England in company with Sir Will™ Fips, heard him
speak severall times the words following to this effect, that he did say the first fishing boat
hee mett he w^ould hire and goe privately ashore and rise a company without beating of drum,
and that he would take the packets sent to S' Edmund and not deliver them to him, except he
appeared in Councill, and there would secure him.

That about the same time upon the said voyage hee heard S'' Will" Fips saj^ that he
appeared before the Lords, and one of them starting up asked him whether they would stand

' Qu? JIaj. Beockuols.

588 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

by the rights of their Charter, or for tiie abuses they had received from Sir Edmond Andros;
it was answered, by the right of their Charter.

And about the same time this Deponant heard him say, that they (which this Deponant
supposes were the Lords or the Comons assembled in Parliament) told him, thatt if they did
give them the trouble to hang S'' Edmond, they deserved uoe friends.

This Deponant further saith that bee saw on board the said ship, a letter for S" Edmund Andros.

And being att Boston in company with M'' Newton an atturney, heard the said Newton say
to this effect, that he went to S"' Will" Fips to demand S' Edmonds letters; upon w'='» S"'
William answered that he had noe letters for him. M' Newton then said there ware some ;
upon w"^ S' William said there ware some directed to him but not for him, & that he would
take care that he should be better secured.

To all whatt past on board this Deponant beleeves that Capt. Benj" Gillom heard it all

spoken by S'' William Fips.

This I declare upon my oath to be the truth to

y^ best of my knowledge
(signed ) Philip French Jn''

New Yorcke 1GS9 June the 7""
Sworne before me

S' V. CoRTLAXDT Mayor

Certificate of the Clergy of jVeto - Yorh in favor of Ifes-srs. Cortland and Bayard.

[TEANSLATED FROM THE LATIN.]

As a certificate of life, morals or religion is not to be refused to those demanding it, it is
to be granted especially to those who are models of the orthodox religion. As the Honorable
Messrs. Stephen Van Cortland, mayor of our city, and Col. Nicholas Bayard have so exhibited
themselves to us, we could not deny their request, nor withhold such testimonial from men so
well deserving of church and state. We therefore certify that they were born of Protestant
parents, and that they were baptised and educated by them in the Reformed church and
schools ; frequented public worship, and bound and do daily bind themselves by the sacrament
of the Eucharist to preserve and protect the true faith, which, it is notorious, they zealously
made use of against the enemies of truth and for the establishment of the church ; being
meanwhile oftentimes promoted, and being still about to be advanced to the deaconship and
government of the church, they filled the offices as well of deacons as of elders with
consummate praise and approbation. They are moreover pious, candid and modest men ;
may they live many years, God willing, for the greater propagation of trutii, and the increase
of Christ's kingdom.

Given at New-York, in our consistory, the 11th day of June, lOSi).
In the name of the Synod,

IIenkicus Selvns, [l. s.]

Ecclesiastes Neo-Eboracensis.
Joannes Kerfbye, Elder.
PiETEKS Jacobs Mariu.s, Elder.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 589

Advice of the Delegaies from Conneeticid to Captain Leisler.

[ Xew-Tork Papers, B. II. 2i)T. ]

Capt" Leisler

and the rest of the Capf' that have bin active with j^ou in taking of and securing the fort
of this Citty of New Yorke for His Majesties service, and for the preseruation and security of
these parts of His Maj"" territories, wheras you ware pleased to send into oure Collony
of Counecticate: for advise and assistance: as need might bee: which letter was presented
to our Gen''^'" Assembly of Governor and Councell in Harford, the 13 of this presant June :
which assembly were extreamly ready: to consider of what might bee best for His Majesties
servis: and youer encouragement, in securing those American parts from French and other
forraigne and intest[ine] ennemies: wee ware therefor appointed and ordered by the aforesaid
generall Assembly, with speed to come to this Citty to give oure advise, and promise you such
assistance as oure abillity and youer necessitous condition may call for: and whareas wee
ware ordered in oner instructions; to resone^ a full account of the actions and motions of late
in this Citty; and the grounds and reasons of youer takeing and securing thes fort: and when
wee came, hear wee found to our Amazement the truth of what wee had heard : viz : the fort
much out of repair most of the great gunns not fit for servis : very few platforms for gunns fo
play: and by the account showad us taken by skillfull honest men of the powder that of 50
barells: but one good and a considerable part not fit for any servis, and the rest would not
sling a bullet half over the River: and alsoe bye information it appearing to us: that Capt"
Nickolson late Leiftenant Governour haveing left the fort whoe pased away privately : about
7 leagues from York to Cornall Dongan and other Papists and som popish affected where there
seems to be such considerable gatherings of such: and allsoe there being som illminded
disaffected and disloyall persons: in this Citty and places adjacent, haveing first don you that
justice, noble and Loyall Capt° Leisler whose loyallty courage prudence pains and charge hath
bin grait, and you the other noble and couragious, Captains, Leiftenants, Ensigns, Sargents,
and good Souldiers in these trainbands that hath been active in this affaire: as allsoe loyall
M'' Samuell Edsall and other good Loyall and worthy Gent" that have taken such pains and
been at such charge: wee say, wee must doe you that justice as to owne and acknowledge
youer good servis: to God and unto our gracious soveraign Lord King William, and servis
don for youer country in the preseruation of the protestant Religion and in the next place wee
leave oure advise to youer consideration: first: that you yett continew therein: of through
and effectual means to secure and mentain this fort and other fortifications for His Maj'^ servis
untill you rescue His Maj"" command.

a""* That more be extended^ in the repairing the fort and fiting the gimns soe as they may
be servisable.

3'"5' That no Papist be sufred to com into the fort: let not the warning given that day His
Majesty was proclaimed : bee not soon forgotten bye you wherin the torrat in the fort was
fired in three places under which roof lay your ammunition : so helishly wicked : and cruell
a papistical design : to have destroyed you and us : the fort and towne : it made our flesh to
tremble: high praise unto Almighty God: that you and the fort and the city ware preserved

^thiy Wee advise that no knowne Papist be sufred with arms in his iiouse.

5thi.v 'YXx'a.t if it is or shall be knowme that any person hath embezeld the arms and ammunition

' Qu» Ucsoiie. — Ed. " Expended I — Ed.

590 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

or other things belong to this fort: wee advise you to seize and secure such person or persons
to answer to the same when seasonable call to an account.

gthiy jf i^ye forraigne or intestine ennemies and you are in a hazardous' and nesesitious
condition calls for it wee from our Collony shall bee redeey to aford : you help and assistance
according to our ability and youer nesesity in defence of the Protestant Religion and in
securing this fort for His Majes"" servis: S' your friends pray God to incorage^ and strentheu
your hands and patiently wait for the dispose orders and commands of youers and ouer most
grait never enough comended and admired King William the verry verry best this lower
world knowes whome God preserve long to Reign soe prayes.

Nath: Gould Sen'
James Fitch.
In the fort of New-Yorke

June 26. An° 16S9.
Above copy agrees literally with the original,
(signed ). E. Randolph.

Steplmn Van Cortlandt to Governor Audros.

[Sew- York Papers, LXXI.]

N. Yorke 1689 July O"-
May it please Yo' Excellency

Yo' letter dated the 21"" of June p'" Major Macgregere I received, am glad to hear Your
Excell. is in good health but sorry that the gentl. of Boston could not lett Yo' Excell. come to
us I do not doubt but Yo"" presence would have hindred the people's Revolucions here, which
are all grounded upon notorious falsityes. We long that the two Commicioners may arrive or
other orders from England to pvitt us to rights againe.

M'' Macgregere hath received the ^20 as ordered, the pay for the two Companyes here not
as yet received, the Collector having trusted y= Merchants &c. for the Customes, who now
refuse to pay, so that it will be some difficulty before we gett it, when received shall endeavour
that Major Macgregere gett something also.

The distraccons here are so great and many, that it is almost impossible to give Yo' Excell.
an exact account thereof, but shall as neare as I can write the principal matters and transaccons
since Yo' Excell" Departure from hence being the 4"' Day of October last.

Some days after that Cap' IVicholson delivered in an order from Yo' Excell. to view and take
an account of the condition of the ffbrt and Citty fortifications, ammunicon of warr, &'^ which
was accordingly done as p' account sent Yo' Excell formerly, the fibrt being extraordinarily out
of repaire. Peter King, John and Andrew Muyer, Carpenters, Swert olphets & his son were
imployed only to repaire the necessary worke, making the houses, soldiers' rooms, Courteguards
&c. only wind and weather tight which took up the time till the winter and cold weather
hindered their worke, after that I gott an order from yo' Excell. to furnish all materialls for the
repayring of the ftbrt, as Cap' Nicholson should order who told me to provide the planck and

' "and )-oiii' liazardous" &,v. Copy among \tw- York Historical Hocitty's J/unuscripls. — En.
' " incourage your hearts" Ac. Ibid.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. - 591

slipers for to make the plateformes, said Carpenters gave me the dhnensions and accordingly
I had them sawed and cutt by one John Mash & Josiah fta[r]mar and were ready in the month
of Marcli and Aprill last, and lime for the mason's worke I had spoken for to be ready when
there should be occasion for to use the same which was resolved on by Cap' Nicholson to be
done out of hand if this unhappy revolucon at Boston had not happened.

The last w^inter Capt. Nicholson ordered me to send letters to everj^ County to exercise
their men and see them well equipt according to law that so every one might be ready as
occasion and to send him a list of their men and troopers &c which most part have done in
this Citty, he did the same and was well beloved amongst the people here till this sad rising
fell out.

The 1" of March we received the news of the Prince of Orange landing in England, which
we kept private at first, to hinder any tumult by divulging the same so suddenly and gave
Yo"" Excell. a full account thereof, and, seeing that the news troubled the papists very much,
we were jealous of the money that was in M' Plowman's hand and ordered him to bring the
same in a strong chest made on purpose into the tfort being about 1 1 or 1 200"' which was so
done.

Apr. the 26"" We gott the surprizall news of Bostons Revolucons and the seaziug of Yo"'
Excell. which occasioned a great consternation amongst us, and being but 4 in number of the
[Council] it was resolved that the Mayor should call the Aldermen and Common Councell of
the Citty together to acquaint them with this ill news, to advise together what best is to be
done for his Majestyes service, and the quieting of the Inhabitants of this place in this
dangerous conjuncture and troublesome time.

The 27"" ditto The Lieu* Govern'' and Councell mett before they went to the Townehall
having received news of warr with France and that the French maltreated the English and
Dutch which made a great frett and tumult in the Towne and considering the necessity that
all affaires ought to be putt in good order Resolved that the Militia officers should be called
also, and so to meet in one Councell, where it was Resolved, that.

Every one in his Station should doe his duty and take what care that can for the safety of
the place and quieting of the people.

That the Citty should be forthwith fortityed as formerly it was.

The Lieut. Govern'" proposed to the gentlemen that it would be expedient for the more
security of the ffort that part of the Citty Militia keep and guard in the ttbrt, which was
thankfully accepted of and the 28"' of Aprill the Inhabitants began to watch in the flbrt.

We did think it also necessary to write to the Justices of the Peace and military Officers in
the severall countyes to meet us to advise together for the best and welfare of the Government,
accordingly letters were sent to Kings, Queens, Westchester, Richmond and Bergen countyes
and to Coll. Hamilton and all appeared accordingly, and promised to do their endeavour to
keep the people in peace and order was given to sett a man at Cunny Island to watch that if
above three shipps together -should come within Sandyhooke to acquaint us with it, which
should cause an alarme to be beaten.

We also Resolved to writt to the gentlemen of the Councell that live neare us to come and
assist us with their advice, viz' to Major Generall Winthrop, Coll. Treat, Coll. Allen, Coll.
Young, Coll. Pinsheon, Walter Clarke, Walter Newbury, and Major Smith, but none came
nor wrote an answer but Major Smith, Clarke and Newbury.

The 29"' of Apr. Cap' Nicholson, the Councell, Mayor, Aldermen, Common Councell and
all the Military Officers mett and concluded upon the fortifying the Citty, but the Citty being

592 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

poor and no time to lay taxes upon the people and the Merchants also beginning to dispute
the Custoraes Cap' Nicholson proposed that the Revenue from the first of May be imployed
towards the Citty fortifications which was thankfully accepted off".

The SO"" of Aprill we sent letters to Albany and Ulster recommending them to keep the
people in peace &c and to see their Militia well exercised and Equipt.

The first of May we wrott to y'" Excell. condoling the condicon yo"' Excell was in.

We also sent a letter to the Gentlemen at Boston, desiring them that Your Excell. miglit
have liberty to come to us, with the other gentlemen prisoners, but they answered it was not
in their power.'

The 3^ of May All Magistrates and Military Officers mett and appointed people to appoint
the places where the Plateformes should be made and gunns placed.

The 4"" of May We heard of the Revolutions at the East End of Long Island and of the
dissatisfaction of the people there, Whereupon we sent letters to Coll Young and Major
Howell to pacifye the people as much as they could.

The 6"" of May we had the news from Albany that the French from Cadaraqua were
comeing over with 1000 men and a great number of Indians : That the people from
Taskanick, Kinderhook, Claver Rack, Katskill, and places about, were fled u|) to Albany
which caused a great tumult and uproare especially amongst the Inhabitants of Queens and
Suflblke Countyes, but a Sloop from Albany comeing, brought us contrary news,
notwithstanding we could not so easily beat it out of the peoples minds, being so possest
with jealousyes and feares of being sold, betrayed, and I know not what, that it was almost
impossible to do any thing that would please them : This day wee mett all att the Towue
hall and a list of the materialls for fortifying the Citty was brought in, and Coll. Bayard,
Will"' Merritt De La Roy^ & N. D. Meyer appointed to provide the same.

The 9"' of May the men that had been in the late Expedition at Albany in Suflblke, Queen's
and King's Countj-es were all in amies at Jamaica desiring their wages; money being raised
to pay them the men in New York hearing this rised also and came before the Town hall in a
great uproare whilst the whole Assembly was mett, who, considering the dangerous times.
Resolved that an order should be given them to pay only the private Soldiers their pay and
each trouper G'", which being done it was pretty quiett all about.

The 10"" day of May all Magistrates and Otlicers made an Order to suppresse all mutinous
persons.

The 11"" Ebenezer Piatt, Matthew Howell, John Wheeler, and John Jackson came and
acquainted uS of the Jealousyes of the people on Long Island, upon which letters were sent
to the severall Countyes to send a man or two out of each County to joyne with us if they
see cause but none came.

The 12"' of May Cap' Nicholson gott a letter from the Mayor of Albany that the Indians
were very jealous, which if not prevented must cause great mischiefe which letter was shewn
to all the Magistrates and Officers and to the Gentlemen of Long Island. And a letter sent in
answer to Albany that it was utterly false that yo' Excell. had made an agreement with tlie
firench to cutt them off. But that it was notorious falsityes and that they should endeavour
to hinder the Indians going to Cannada and to assure them of our entire Ireindship and to
present each nation with a barrell of powder.

The IS"" Cap' Nicholson and Councill mett and writt a letter and sent the same with the

' For these letters, see }!utchimnnt Histnry of Jfasedchueetti Bay, eJ. 17G5, I., SS4, 385. — Ed. ' De la >'i)V. — Ei>.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 593

ship Beaver, John Corbett Master, to the rrincipall Secry of State and to the Secry of the
Plantation Office giving them a full account of all transaccons here as much as possible, But
M' Riggs arriving here the 17"" Cap' Nicholson perswaded him to goe with said Ship thinking
it to be for Your honour's service and he resoMng I provided him with all necessaryes, and
Cap' Nicholson giving him the letters he went aboard the IS"- in the morning & so direct
away.

In meane time the people worked hard at the Citty fortifications but INI'' De Peyster having
bought the land where the ftbrtifications lay upon would not have the new fortifications layd
where the old ones lay, but would have them layd out further, which caused a great trouble.
The common people being very willing to worke and fortifye the towne and seeing a difference
amongst ourselves runn together and did chuse 15 men who presented a petition unsigned
and ill penned upon which they desired an answer forthwith. The Court desired that some
of them or all should come up and expresse their meaning, but none would come, all crying
for an answer or their peticon back again. Att last it was Resolved that I should goe to and
speake %\ith them as I did but, the number being very much increased, nothing would serve
them but an answer in writing, or their peticon returned. Yet I gave them upon tlreir petition
as much satisfaction as reasonably people would expect and returned to the Town hall. This
was the 22"' of May.

The IS"* of May M"' Wedderburu arrived and delivered yo"' i:xcell. instruccons to Cap'
Nicholson upon which Coll. Nicholson & Coll Hamilton were sent for who comeing in towne
and seeing the Country & all people in an Uproare and hearing their discourses did think not
convenient in that time to goe for Boston, the Barke was also repayred but the people being
all in a rage it was thought not convenient to send her to Major Brockholes.

May the 24"'. The Mayor of Albany sent a letter to Cap' Nicholson that tlie men that
were taken prisoners and plundered by the flrench desired letters of Mart to goe to Cannada
and Recover their losses and that the Indians would goe alsoe being satisfyed that there was
no ill intended by yo'' Excell. or any of us but that it was only a stratageme of the ffrench
who have cheated them often before now in keeping their Chiefe men prisoners upon which
we answered them that it was not safe to grant them any Communicon or letters of Mart to
go to Canada or elsewhere. But that they shoiild be quiett till orders from England.

The 27"' Major Baxter came from Albany desiring leave to withdraw himselfe for a while
seeing the humours of the people, which was allowed off', and he went that very day to
Neversincks by Coll Dongan at the house of Cap' Bowne.

The 31"" of May Cap' Nicholson desired me to call all the Magistrates & Officers together
att the Town hall, at 3 o'Clock in the Aftemoone who accordingly mett.

Cap' Nicholson told them that divers of the Inhabitants were very factious and rebellious,
several of the Magistrates protested against such people and so did all the rest, declaring they
would with all their power stand up for the good of the Government and Crowne of England.
The same afternoon Capt. Nicholson being informed that most part of the Citty Militia was
in Rebellion, and that they would obey neither himselfe nor their Cornell, and that some of
the Officers were the instigators and inflamers of it, desired me to conveen the Magistrates
and Officers together, which was accordingly done.

Being at the Town hall one Hendrick Cuyler that liad the watch in the flbrt with i a

Company complained that Cap' Nicholson would not suffer him to sett a sentinell att the Sally

Port, and, when he told Cap' Nicholson of it, that he was threatned and his Corporall to be

pistolled and that Cap' Nicholson would fire the Town, which Cap' Nicholson denying said

Vol. III. 75

594 NEW-YOEK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

that comeing in the ftbrt last night about 10 or 11 a clock the Serjeant of the ffort told him
tliat the Corporall of the Citty would have placed a Gentry at the Sally Port but that he
would not suffer it without his Order, upon which Cap' Nicholson sent for Henry Cuyler who
took along with him his Corporall to be his Interpreter. Comeing in Cap' Nicholson's roome
the Cap' being most undrest bid his men goe out and said to Henry Cuyler, Who is Command^
in the ifort, you or I? Why do you place a Centry without my leave? Henry Cuyler
answered, it's my Capt's orders, Upon which Cap' Nicholson fell in a passion, and said (as it is
reported) I rather would see the Tovsaie on fire than to be commanded by you. Then Henry
Cuyler called his Corporall to come in (as he saith) to speaks for him, who comeing in with
his sword over his left arm just before Cap' Nicholson who was unlaceing his stockings and
looked up seeing a tall strong man with his sword in his hand, said to him Who called you
here? Be gone. The man going backward about two or 3 yards stood still and looked upon
Cap' Nicholson, who said, Goe out of my room, or I'll pistoll you, and went to the wall, took
his pistoll and follawed the man to the door, who went out the roome down stairs to the guard
and spoke not one word. Being a very civill man, this bred such a noise and jealousy all that
night & e^cially next morning through the Towne that all what wee could say would not
.satisfy them. This occasion'd high words in Court and made Cap' Nicholson say to Henry
Cuyler, Goe fetch your Commicon, I discharge you from being Lieut, any more. JM"' Abram
De Peyster who is Cap' of said Cuyler speaking something in this matter fell out with the
Lieil' Govern"' also And went with his Brother his Ensigne in an anger from the Towne hall.
We seeing what ill this might produce sent for De -Peyster back but he would not come till
late at night; in meane time we heard the drums beat and the Towne full of noise, and seeing
the people rise and run together in. armes M"" Phillips and I went to Jacob Leyslaer's door
where the people mett and endeavoured to allay them but in vain, they marched to the flbrt
where Henry Cuyler received them, in ^ hour's time the flbrt was full of men armed and
inraged, no word could be heard but they were sold, betrayed and to be murdered, it was time
to look for themselves. I went back to the Town hall where all the Magistrates were, the
Military officers I saw most in the ffort. In a little while after in comes William Churchill'
with about 20 armed men, and a crowd of people in William Morritt's house up the room
where all the Magistrates were, demanding the keys of the fibrt &c. Saying We will and shall
have the same by force.

After some words Cap' Nicholson said, then lett the Oflicer come and I'll deliver them to
him So they went back and we all went iip the Town hall. Presently after they came
again with M' Charles Lodwijck whom they forced (as they said ) to receive the keys, and
againe said they would have them forthwith or otherwise know what they had to doe. Cap'
Nicholson seeing they came with force asked advice what he should doe. Wee all seeing that
nothing would stop their ciuTent advised him to deliver the keys.

June the S"* Cap' Nicholson sent for Mr. Bayard and me at the house of ISr Phillips where
h(! lodged, saying that a messuage was sent by Capt Lodwijck, that an expresse was come from
Long Island re])orting that 4 or 5 Shipps were seen within Sandy hook. We sent and I went
my selfe through all the Towne but could not find the man that brought said news. Immediately
Cap' Leyslaer gave the alarnie whicii created such a tumult that some were ready to fall upon
us thinking really that the French shipps came.

The people all mett befort^ the ffort, would not obey their Officers, left them and runn in

' Cia'RCHEK. Sc-e post p. 600; also, Krw-YorU Documcnlar;/ History, 8vo., II., 216, 393. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 595

the ftbrt to Jacob Leyslaer. Tliat aftcrnoone John Disliiiii^^ton arrived from Barbados, they
send out the tlbrt a file of men, and brought him before their ea])taiues. Nicholas Gerrij is
also arrived from Barbados and was brought into the fForl.

M'' Philip ffrench conieing from Boston was also fetcht to the ffort.

Nicholas Plains from Boston also fetcht in the tibrt. All the letters they gett together for
Cap' Nicholson, M' Bayard or my selfe are opened and publickly read in the fibrt.

The G"" of June Cap' Nicholson Resolved to goe for EngLand and desired me to call the
Aldermen Common Councell together which I forthwith did.

The Aldermen mett at my house but none of the Common Councell.

Cap' Nicholson told them of the many Insolencyes the people in the ffort committed, that
they intercepted all letters, abuse people, and therefore desired Alderman Lawrence and
Alderman Merritt to goe to the Cap" and to desire them to come at my house but none of
them would come.

The lO"" June Cap' Nicholson recommended W Plowman to observe his Commicon and
Instruccons and desired us to be assistant to him.

We also caused copyes to be taken of all that hath happened and gave a fall account of all
the transaccons to the Principall Secry of State and Secry of Plantacons by Cap' Nicholson
who departed very privately to the Nethersincks thinking to go for England in the Brigantine
with Coll Dongan who was gone to sea, but being hard weather and Coll. Dongan sea sick
Resolved to saile back againe chusiug rather to dy on shoare then at sea, and came in again
just at the time Capt. Nicholson arrived at Cap' Bowne's, and neither John Selike, M""
Wadland, nor Heathcott being willing to carry Cap' Nicholson for England He- Resolved to
buy i part of said Brigantine which he imloaded and did send for 2-5 tunns of Log wood
which he took on board and so sailed out the 24"" day of Jiuie.

He doth not doubt but he will doe Yo"" Excell good & better service in going over then here,
for they have severall times threatned to fetch him back and putt him, ffredrick Phillips, ^NP
Bayard & me in prison.

The 22*^ June came Major Gold and Cap' ffitts from Connecticott heither, being sent by
their Court upon the desire of Cap' Leyslaer to speake with him and having some printed
papers of new^s in their pocketts gave them to Leyslaer to read who fiudeing amongst them a
printed Proclamacon to proclaim King William and Queen Mary King & Queen over England
& Ireland, Jacob Leyslaer desired the use of that paper for one hour or two, so had the diimi
beaten and the King and Queen proclaimed in the forenoone. About -3 O Clock they sent for
me to be at my house, I went home there, the 2 Hartford Gentlemen and our Cap'^ came
with their Halberdiers, being sett dowm Leyslaer asked me whether I would not proclaim
the King and Queen, I told him it was done already. He answered if I would not do it he
would do it at the Towne hall, I told him he might doe what he pleased : They fell out
call'd me a Papist, or Popishly affected, and severall abusive words in my house : At last
]\Iajor Gold and Cap' ffitts desired me to go along to the Town Hall where they should
proclaime their Matyes. I told them I would acquaint the Aldermen with it which they
approved off, and gave one hours time, I sent for the Aldermen, who came and resolved that
we would waite upon them. When they came at the Towne hall Leyslaer comes and would
have me to proclaime the King. I answered, He that read it before the ffort can read it here,
I have no clarke : Upon which he falls in a rage saying if it was to sett up a Tyranmcall
King, a Prince of Wales, then he would doe it, Yo"- a Traitour, a Papist, &c. and made the

596 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

people just ready to knock me in the head. Others said, Take hold of that Rogue, So I was
forct to answer for my selfe, saying, that Lcyslaer told a false untruth, I did not hinder the
reading or proclaiming of their Majestyes &c. These 2 Gentl. would not lett me goe, but
kept me fast, and persuaded me to go along to the fibrt, which I did; the Sheriffe, Alderman
Crundall, M'' Phillips, ffrench, John Smith & others followed me : Comeing in the iFort they
and we drunk the King's health. After that they fell upon the SheriHe, took his sword and
abused him sadly. They took Alderman Crundell and turned him out the tfort. After that
M'" French and M' .John Smith. They sent and fetcht M' Middleton's sword from his side at
M'' Pettyes. I expected the same. Went through the people out the ffbrt. Goeing out, one
said Goe, we d'ont want you here. This was on Saturday. Thus farr I gave Cap' Nicholson
an account off.

The 24"' M'' William Merritt brought me a printed Proclamation from their Matyes, dated
the 14"' of February 168 1 confirming all persons (being Protestants) who upon the first da)'^ of
December last past were in the Offices of Sherifl'es Justices, Collectors, &c. to be continued &c.
Having this Proclamation I sent for the Aldermen and Common Councell at the Towne hall
and there Resolved to publish said Proclamation, charging and connnanding all people concerned
to take notice thereof.

This being published made them very angry. The next morning I desired M'' Phillips, Coll.
Bayard, the Aldermen and Common Councell to meet me at my house who came where we
Resolved that, the Circumstances M'' Mathew Plowman was in considered, he desist from acting
any further in the Customes &c. which being told to M"' Plowman he was very well satisfyed.

This being done we appointed Coll. Bayard, Paulus IMchards, M'' Thomas Wenham and
John Haynes to be Commiconers of the Customes &c And because the Mei'chants disputed
the Customes, that they should then take of the Rlercliants Inhabitants their notes or bonds
to pay the Customes if due, and strangers to give in Security for the same and what perquisites
that arise in tlie Custome house to lay it by till a Governm' or Ord''* come how the same shall
be disposed oft".

Upon this Order the said 4 Gentlemen went to the Custome house to look after his Matyes
interest accordingly, but having been there a little time in comes Leyslaer with armed men,
pulls them out the Custome house, severall cutting at Coll Bayard but the croud being so
thick cutt only his hatt and he escaped into the house of Peter De La Noy where he was all
that night. They watched the house and swore they would kill him. Afterwards he gott
out the house. They searcht for him, but he went for Albany, where he is now. Then
Leyslaer went and told ftrederick Phillips if he should meet again the Divell should take him.
And told our clarke and Marshall that he would be with me. Severall people came and
desired me to goe out of the way saying that they would fetch me in prison. I stayed two
dayes at home and then went abroad again. Leyslaer hath put Peter De La Noy in the
Custome house and he gives the passes signed ( " Cap' appointed to secure the flbrt at New
Yorke on behalfe of King William and Queen Mary.")

The 2'' of July was our Mayor's Court: the night before, as also the same morning, Leyslaer
sent to Paulus Richards, that if the INLayor kept a Mayor's Court the people would hale the
Magistrates by the leggs from the Town hall, and he would not hinder them. Whereuppon
we sent M'' Lawrence, M Merritt, M'' Rumbolt, & I\r Crundall to him in the ftbrt, to whom he
said the same, so that ftp Rumbolt & M'' Richards absolutely said they would not goe to Court
for to be beaten and abused. Then we Resolved to adjourn our Court for 4 weeks in hopes
that their fury will be allayed against that time.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 597

They have appointed a Committe of Safety, Viz' 2 out of the Citty Peter De La Noy and
Saniuell Edsall, 2 of Brouckland, 2 of fHatbusli, 2 of fflushing, 2 of Newtoun, 2 of Staten
Island, 2 of Essex in New Jersej', 2 out of Esopus & 2 of West Chester, the rest of the
Towns will not meddle themselves.

This Committee have raised 60 men whereof Jacob Leyslaer is Cap', William

*sells drams i y-,

Churchill' Lieu' and Joost StoU a dram man* Ensigne. This Committe opens all
letters. I have letters there that came from Albany about 10 dayes agoe, and cannot have
them before the Committe sitts.

I had thick planck provided for the plateformes and Carriages, and the ffort being taken
had carryed tliem by Phillip Smith's house, but Leyslaer caused them to be brought in the
ffort. I hope he shall pay me for the same.

There is .£773 . 12' . 3'* of that money in the ffort that was raised for the expedition to
Albany. They intend to use that to pay the charges of repayring the ffort and their soldiers
whom they have promised 45" p' mouth on their own victualls. Thej' fetcht yesterday
Thomas Walton from Staten Island for having said that he would retake tlie ffort with 200
men and keep him prisoner in the ffort.

M'' Plowman hath trusted the Merchants for their Customes and now in these Revolucons
and changes they deny to pay, so that I cannot gett that money to pay the two Companyes as
Ordered.

He hath promised lue to give me the list of Debts and I will goe myselfe and demand it
from the Merchants, if that should faile it would put me to a uon plus.

I intended this only to be as a Blotter. But M"" Beckley sending me word that he goes
away to-morrow with the floud from Coll. Morris's and it being very late at night already, and
must bring or send this to Harlem before 8 o'Clock in the morning have no time to copy this
fairly.

Therefore must this serve to send to Yo' Excell. as it is, praying Yo"' Excell to excuse me

in sending these scribled lines in such an untowardly manner. Shall by the first opportunity

send Yo' Excell. the copy of the Minutes kept by myselfe and also those kept by tlie Clarke of

the Town hall and what further hath happened in mean time. I long to hear the arrival of

the two expected Commiconers or other orders from England that we ma)' be released from

all these troubles and threats wee have every day, and that Yo'' Excell. may be put at liberty

and conquer all yo"' Ennemyes. This with my wife's and my service Presented is the reall

wishes off May it Please Yo"" Excell.

Yo' Excell. most humble Servant,

S. V. CoRTLANDT.

' See note, ante p. 594. — Ed.

598 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel Bayard to CaiAaln Nlcltolnon.

[ New -York Tapers, B. 11. 208. ]

New Albany 23 July 16S9.
Honnored Sir !

I hope you have met with a prosperous voyage and that ere long wee may here of your safe
arrival — Since your departure the insolencies and cruelties of the great mutineer Jacob Leiseler
and his crue are in no manner diminished, but rather augmented, as you will find by the
inclosed abstract of the Journall till my departure from New Yorke. And have also desired M''
Mayor by this opportunity to give you an account of the chief occurrances that happened since —
You will find by the perusal of s** Journall, that the members of councell, with the Mayor,
Aldermen and common councel had endevored to preserve the revenue of the Govern' for his
Maj""^' service as they where recommended to doe at your departure, as appears by the minutes
of concell; But said Leiseler finding that the securing of said revenue would be prejudicial to
his and his assotiatts particurar interests was thereby so insenst and inflamed against the civill
Government and chiefly against myselfe, whome he suspected to be the most forward therein
that he attempted thereuppon most maliciously to massaker my person, by tlie hands of his
druuken crue, in soe much that I was at last advised to leave New York and retire elsewhere
for safety.

Since my departure from New York I have received intelligence, that Nathaniel Gold and
James Fitch of Connecticot Collony at their departure have certified, and by many faler [false?]
and foolish flatterings have accordingly connnended the mutinus proceedings of said Leisteler
and others of his faction. And that the pretended committee of safety, chosen by a few
members of their cabball, liave taken upon themselves (: in contempt of His Majesties prod: of
the 14"' of Febr''. last, confirming all protestant Justices of the peace and Sherifts ettc:) the
chief authority and management of the Govern'

Inprimis : that they have confirmed the respective military officers at present in the companies
at New York.

Item: that they have raised a company of souldiers in pay to secure the fort, Whereof said
Leiseler is to be Capt"", W" Churcher the mason to be Leftenant and Joost Stol the Drannnan
to be Ensigne and keeper of the Stores ettc.

Item: that they have published by beate of the drum, that the takeing and securing of the
Fort was singley and soley for their Majesties service, and that no person or persons have any
reason to depart the Citty of New Yorke ettc. whilst I myselfe and several others at the same
instant, where dayly and openly threatened to be massacred plundered and imprisoned.

Itt seems that our care for securing of the revenue has alsoo soo alarmed them, with feare to
be accomptable to His Majesty for the whole, that Peter Lanoy one of their committee of safety
has taken upon himselfe to officiate in the Custom house, but by what authority I know nott.

Great endevours have alsoo been made by the said Lesteler and those of his faction to
overthrow. All civill Govern' in the remaining parts of the Governmcmt, as in the late province
of New Jarsie, in the county of Richmond, county of Ulster and in this county of Albany by
sending of messengers and letters to some of the millitary Otficcrs and factious men, inticing
them to follow their steps; but all the said places disapproving of tlieir mutinous proceedings,
are agreed to remain steady, and mainfaine, their civill Govern' pursuant to His Maj"" said
proclamation of the 11"' Febr^. last till orders do arrive from England;

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 599

Here at Albany has been but a very slender trade, which occasions great poverty, by most of
the inhabitants, having had little or no trade this three years past, neither can they expect any
as long those of Canida be not reduced to other terms.

The Sachims of our five warlike nations have been here and in their proposals, to the Mayor
and the Magestrates have acquainted them that they were resolved to be revenged of Canida
who still detained their Frends, in a trecherous manner, and in a time of peace taken captives
and sent to France; Wee have news that some weeks past a party of about nine hundred
Indians are gone thether and that now about 300 of the Miohaakes are reddy on the same
designe, they will undoubtedly destroy the harvest, which of neccessity must reduce Canada
to a great extremety unless releefe be sent them from France — I find the inhabitants of Albany
still much inclined for some exploit, either for trade with the further Indians ; or by letters of
JMarke to see themselves repaid for there losses, robbed by the French at tiieir last going to the
Ottowawas ; and if a warre with France, they would not be wanting to contribute verry much
towards the subduing of that Govern' which undoubtedly would proove to be verry profitable for
England, in respect of its trade and revenue — Wee have no vessell yett arrived from Europe,
(but expect them daily:) vi-hich makes Lestler and his crue to be more insolent, since they can
not reduce to their faction any of the civill magistrates, or hardly any one of the substanciall
and principal men of seuce and estate of the Govern' unlesse the three Cap'"''^ and how they
were drawn in, by feare or otherwise, will undoubtedly be discovered in due time ; all the rest
of the mutineers or the most part being poore ignorant innocent and senseless people who
suffer them to be ruled and hectored by aboutt 20 or -30 ill drunken sotts. — Yett I find that
severall of their faction begin to decline, and more would follow, who now by feare dare not be
otherwise than silent. —

I had a letter from M"' West of the 25"" of June who tells me all continues in the same state
at Boston, only the Government is removed to the Castle and he to the prison — I am now
retired at Albany where I intend to continue till orders do arrive from His Maj'^ to settle the
desolate affairs of the Government which pray God may be very speedily — In the interim I
shall take leave with the offers of my most humble sen'ice assuring that I am

Honnored Sir Your very humble servant

(signed) N Bayard. —

Abstract of Colonel BcnjariVs Journal.

[New-York, LXXI.]

Abstract out of the Journall kept by Coll. Nicholas Bayard since the 11"" June
A" 1689. In New-York.

A° 1689 This Day the L' Govern"' departed from this Citty in order for his transportation
June ll"* for England to complaine against the rebellious proceedings of Leiseler and some of
the people his associatts

12 d'" Nicholas du Morres this day arriving from Barbados, Kingsland, the Custom house
Officer, went, according to custome and order, to go on board, but by a file of muskettiers was

600 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

forced to desist, by threatening to fire nppon them if they went aboard ; M"' Mayor standing by
and contradicting tliose Actions as arbitrary and illegal!, answer was made by Johannes de
Peyster, 'tis the order of the Commanders in the ffort; — The Souldiers wanting Drinck in the
ffort, a file of muskettiers went and strained in the Westward,' without a constable, from Tudor
Kinsland and others, in which Jan Van Gelder was a Chief Actor.

M' Mayor had some days before ordered the High Constable, and had this day before him
the petty constables and told them that they should not mistake themselves in serving of any
warrants but those of the Civill Govern' that he utterly disowned any power or authority the
Cap"" had that now bedded the people, and produced them the Law that they might peruse it,
and act accordingly, and if they acted contrary, that it should be at their perills, etc.

13 d'" The souldiers went with the Constable Martin Clocq hawing his old pocket staff
marked J" 2. R and strained at the bowses of Edward Buckmaster, J"° Crooke & others for
fines of the watch.

Jacob Mayles came as Clarke of the Company and demanded from myselfe the fine of my
man Jn" foote ; I told him if they would have it they must come and take it by fforce. That
if I saw cause I should not only command my owne servants, but alsoo a file of muskettiers
more to guard my bowse against the ffurie of any rebbells, who had threatned to pull downe
my bowse, and massaker my person ;

June y* li"" Complained Richard Joanes that a file of musketteers out of the fl'ort had
robbed his bowse, under pretext of straining for fines by virtue of a Warrant signed by Jacob
liciseler, Hans Kierstrer,^ Isaacq de Riemer, Jan Schouten Jasper Nossepatt, Joost Stoll, and
severall others.

This afternoone arrived Capt. Brockholst and Ensigne Bradfort from Boston, and att their
landing where commanded by W"" Churcher & a file of muskettiers to go to the fibrt, and
charged not to speake a word to my selfe or others at their landing.

15 d"" A packet being arrived by Capt. Brokholst for the L' Govern% upon hoopes it
conteined the proclamations to proclaim King William and Queen Mary, the Councel sent
Thomas Berryman a purpose with s"* letters to the L' Govern^ and desired if the s"" proclamation
was sent to have it proclaimed with all speed.

16 d'" I received a letter from the L' Govern"' with a discharge for Capt. Minvielle.

17 d'" M'' Tudor and several English Marchants calld mee in at Neth. Buckmaster's, and told
niee that Stoll with a file of muskettiers where sent to Long Island, as it was supposed to take
in W" xNicolls, by reason (as it was alledged) that said Nicolls had said, before he would submit
to such an arbitrary power as Leiseler had taken uppon himselfe he would sooner pistoll him ;
whereupon George Burger came out of another roome and assaulted s"* Tudor, present my selfe
and others; —

June y'' IS"" The Mayor and Aldermen kept their Court without any interruption.

19 d"° M' Mayor and I received information that Major Gold was expected by Land from
Fairfield the next day with the proclamations for Jacob Leiseler to proclaime King William and
Queen Mary; and Berryman not being returned from the Lieut. Govern', it was thought
necessary to send George Browne with a Boate expresse to hasten the s** orders from the L'
Govern'' if any he had received.

This evening returned Berryman with a letter from tlu; L' Govern"' intimating that he was
sorrow no such proclamations were received by him, and tliat he kept the Messenger some

' i. e. distrained in (he West. ward. — Ed. ' Kikkstki). IIo wa.s a surs'eori in New-York. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 601

dayes longer in hopes yett to have received s"* orders, and desired the Councel to order M'
Plowman to satisfy the Boatman and Messenger on acct. of the publicq.

20 d"" M' Mayor and my selfe with severall Gentlemen went to meet Mayor Gold, but not
meeting with him went to Coll. Morris; Noto that StoU Duycking and Leiseler's son where
sent after us as spyes.

21 d"° This morning returned George Browne with an answer, in effect the same as
Berryman brought.

Capt. Brockholst and Ensigne Bradibrt intending to give a vizet to the L' Govern"' being
uppon his departure at Capt. Brown's where ( he) stopt.

M'' Middleton came this day in towne, and with the Boatman, where abused by the Souldiers
out of the flbrt, and the boatman assaulted & wounded.

22 d"° Mayor Gold and Cap' ffitts being come in town last night, M"' Mayor this morning
conveaued the Aldermen and Common Council, sent for and desired from s"* gentlemen the s"^
Proclamations, to have the happines and honnour to proclaime their Magesties. What excuses
s*" Gold and ffits made the Records will expres.

This morning a publication was made in this Citty by beate of the drums, that about twelve
of the clock their Mayesties- where to be proclaimed before the ffort. The Court sent for Capt.
De Peyster, Capt. Lodewyck, and Capt. D. Broun, but made all excuses not to come.

In the afternoone at the fireing of the gunns of the ffort, I sent for and invited at my howse
Mr. Mayor, the Aldermen, Common Councel, and what troopers and loyall gentlemen and
merchants could be found, who all came to be merry and rejoyce in their Mayesties most happy
accession to the Throaue of England, ffrance & Ireland, with innumerable wishes of a long,
prosperous and victorious reigne, etz. Where most part of the company continued till the
Evening, when all parted to prevent any abuse from the rebbels.

About foure of the Clock this Afternoon M"" Mayor was sent for by the Capteus at M'
Mayor's house, where the Mayor was grosly abused by Jacob Leiseler, who threatned to
proclaime him a traitor and siding with the late King James, against the present King W"
and Mary, except M'' Mayor would forthwith (at his command) proclaime the King and Queen
from the Statehouse ; M'' Mayor made answer that M"' Gold, INP ffitts, and the rest, could not
be ignorant of the harty desires the Court and hiniselfe had to perforaie their duty therein.
Smce this morning they had sent to the Captens, and to s'' Gold and ffitts to that purpose, who
would not honour the Court to meete or comply with them therein ; that he would immediately
send for the Aldermen and Common Councel, and acquaint them thereof, W"" was accordingly
done, who sent their answer in writeing for to be reddy to meete them at the Statehouse, to
have their Mayesties proclaimed there according to ancient custome.

Note. That these Capt°" owned M"' Mayor's authority, if he would but be subject to their
arbitrary Power, and obey their commands.

Att the Statehouse s"* Leiseler endeavored to raise an uproar againste the Mayor ; and at the
ffort the Sheriffs sword was taken from him and he beaten.

This evening was Anthony ffarmer challenged by 5 or G Souldiers with drawne swords to
come out of his house, saying. You are alsoo one of Bayard's crue, that Popish Dogg &
Traytor, come out, weel open yo'' hart, etz. —

23 d"" I was informed that M"^ ffrench with severall other English gentlemen being on the
bridge, without any cause given where assaulted by Jacob Leiseler, who in a great passion,
threatned to kaine him calling him all the Popish Doggs & Divells imaginable, and that he and

Vol. IIL 76

(302 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

ffourty popish more had been Yesterdny mett caballing together at my hovvse, etz ; threatning
before a weeke was to an end he would secure them all or words to that eftect, which
occasioned severall English Merchants & Gentlemen for safety of their lives to depart this
Citty. In like manner, where M'' Middleton, George Browne, & others this day assaulted by
s** Leiseler, StoU and others, some threatned to be kill'd, others to be run to prison.

This evening I told iSr Mayor that since the King was proclaimed by the Souldiers, although
without due order, yet it would verry advizable to find out and publish tiie King's
Proclamation, confirming all Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Collectors, etz. being Protestants,
w'"" printed Proclamation I was informed to be in the hands of W™ Cox, one of the Members
chosen for the Committee of Safety.

June y' 24"" This Morning M'' Mayor himselfe and severall other Gentlemen endeavourd to
procure s"* proclamation, w"^'' was denyed by s'' VV™ Cocx, but att last had att M" Tiiompson's,
Whereuppon the Court of Aldermen and Common Council where conveaned and publication
thereof made from the Citty hall, as the Records will sett forth ; Imediatly after publication
the Court sent for the members of the Council, and told M' Plowman in regard he was no
protestant, that therefore he was nott qualified to continue as Collector of the Revenue, and
ordered to desist from acting tiierein 'till further order.

25 d'" Att a convention of the members of the Councel, with the Mayor, Aldermen &
Common Councell, M'" Plowman was sent for & dismist, and a resolve made that the Revenue
be collected for the proper uses of their Majesties, by four Commissioners, viz' Poulus Richard,
Jno haynes, Thomas Wenham & my selfe ; and that a perfect account of the s*" revenue be
kept, as also of the fees & perquisites of the Office and none to be disposed of, but collected
& secured till the arrivall of a Governour or orders from England ; Whereupon the said
Commissioners tooke the Oathes of Allegiance & Supremacy to their Majesties King William
Queen Mary, newly directed by Parliament. The above resolve & order of the Convention
was imediatly fixt up at the Custome House door and in the afternoone my selfe with the reste
of the Commissioners mett at s"* Custome house in order to advise and settle the methodes of
managing the Affaires of the Ciistomes ; Butt having been there about a halfe an houre in
came Jacob Leiseler, Joost Stoll, Jan Meyer, with about 18 or 20 armed men (not of his but
of Cap* Brown's Company) — said Leiseler demanded by whatt power or authority wee satt
there ; answer was made, by the only authority w*^"" their Mayesties King W"* and Queen Mary
had in this Governm' which hee could see by the order fixt at the doore ; the same being read
by him he declared that the Members of the Councel Mayor, Aldermen & Common Council
held no power or authority ; that they, and wee alsoo, where Roages, Rascalls, and Divells,
etz ; that wee had created our selves, that I was Popish affected, and had endeavoured not
above Eight Days past with 200 men to retake the ffort, and challenged mee yett to do it; —
demanded from us wether wee had taken the Oathes to their Mayesties Kiug William and
Queen Mary; wee answered that wee knew not of any Authority hee had, if he had any would
do well to produce it, and though wee were not bound to give him any account, yett we would
tell them that wee had taken the Oathes of Allegiance and Supremisy to their s"" Mayesties, and
that hee did verry ill, and was like to answer it before liis Mayest}% for to disturbe the peace
of his >fayesties loyall Subjects, Rem for endeavoring to subject His ]Mayesties Governm' and
for the destroying of the Revenue by Law establisiied ; But since we saw the sword ruled, that
if he would but command us to depart the Custome House wee would submitt and forbeare
acting any fl'urther, he answerd no, but would take a copy of that pamphlet, concidcr on it,
and see what he iiad to do with such roages & rascalls, etz. and soe departed

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 603

Imediatly after his departure I tooke notice that the letter J. in the King's arnies was not
altered ; wherefore wee forthwith sent the s"* amies and had said letter altered in a W.

The Commissioners resolved not to act any further that day, till they had an answer from s"*
Leiseler.

About two houres after s"* Leiseler came at and in the Custome house, cursing and swearing
calling the Commissioners all Roages, Villans and Divells, that they had sett downs under the
amies of King James, that popish Tiran, that he was sorrow he had not seene it, otherwise he
would have run us all thorow with the halbert: Mr Wenhani assured him civilly, that wee butt
just come att the Custome house, that wee had not as yett acted, only to have the letter in the
King's arnies altered ; that itt was verry strange s'' Leiseler was so forward to kill us for no
fault, since he and his people almost every day let fly from the tfort, and also did inarch under,
the Coullers of the late King James, whose figures where to this verry houre still to be seene
in s*" Coullers ; M'' Wenliam desired further that he Leiseler would desist from rayting and
cursing, that he would be pleased to argue the case moderately and civilly, etz. butt s'' Leiseler
tooke his kaine & threatened to strike him and all the rest of the Commissioners, by all
possible nieanes endeavouring to entice, exasperate and put his rabble on, (who all or the most
parte where fild up in strong drinke) to fall uppon the Commissioners, and soo continued rayting
& scolding for about three quarters of an houre, saying the order fixt up was a pamflet, and a
scraule, that it was made in a meeting as Quakers nieete and in a chimbny corner, that they
assumed that power and created themselves, that all of them were Roages and Villans, without
any Authority. Whereupon M' Wenhani demanded by what authority s'' Leiseler came there to
question the Commissioners; He answered his authority was by the choice of the people of his
Company, to w"^ answer was made, that where the King, and his Power, and Laws where in
force no such choice and authority of the people was of any force or virtue: Yett since he
came with swordes and staves & denyed any civill governm' of his Mayesty here, that wee still
where reddy to submit if he would command us to depart ; Whereupon Joost Stool laid violent
hands on s'' M' Wenhani, puld him by his neckcloath out of the Custome house into the streete,
where he was beaten, bruised and wounded, and put in danger of his life ; Some gentlemen
Spectators, that spoke only a word in distaste of s"* cruelties, as M"' Edward Taylor, Docf Reed
and others, where imediatly assaulted by 4 or 5 of the rabble, on every one of them, and most
barberously treated and put to the utmost danger of being murdered : I and the rest of the
Commission" seeing the uproare increase, resolved to make o'' escapes, but the first step I made
out of the Custome house I was stopt and assaulted by s" Leiseler, cursing and swearing that
he would be the death of mee, somtimes tlireatning to run mee thorcw, to cudgel mee with his
kaine, to run mee in the face, etz. and would not suffer mee to pass the streete in expectation
(as all indifferent persons) that some of his crue (who had promised him their assistance beibre
they parted the fibrt) would have been soo forward as to be the Executioner of his niurderious
and bloody designe, which at last was attempted by his Herault Joost Stool the Dronunan,
who run at mee with a drawne dagger, and gave one or more strookes at mee, and would
undoubtedly have murdered mee, unless by providence prevented, and I by force of the
spectators rescued in the next house, w<='> house was thereuppon imediatly assaulted by a
multitude of armed men, striking and beating against the door, threatning by swords and fire
armes to force open s^ door, unless M"" Lanoy would open it and expose mee to their cruelties ;
which occasioned mee to make my further escape, till I was safe from their bloody hands.

In this ffurie his rabble cryed out verraet, verraet, or trayson, trayson, the roages with GO

604 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

men will kill Cap' Leiseler, and had the drom beaten alarm; AW that Trijn Jans the wife of
Jan Joost was very active in this fTurie.

June y" 26"" I resolved by reason of s"" bloody cruelties to depart for England, and make
my addresse to his Majesty for releife, and resolved to send an expres to Dellawar on hopes to
overtake a shipp that was uppou itts departure. I sent alsoo a letter to M'' Mayor for severall
papers needfull to that eifect; The widow Peyster M''^ Van Brugh and severall others told my
wife that the rabble of Leiseler had sworne to have mee alive or dead, and therefore advized
mee to departe very suddanly ; I was alsoo informed that a shott was made at my negro
John, whilst he was at his labor in my owue yard, but that the bullet mist him, and hitt
againe the stone wall, where it was taken up and brought to my wife.

Note. Not before this moniing Leiseler had the letter J. in the King's armes standing before
the fFort altered in the letter W.

27 d'° Jacob Leiseler thretned this morning my brother B. Bayard to cast him into prison
for obeying M'' Mayor's order in attending the Common Councel on the 25"' of this Instant.

Hendrik Cuyler tooke uppon him as it is reported to signe the passes for Nicholas Garrets
and Robert Darkins, and tittuled himselfe as Capt" of the ffort for the present ; The said
Kuyler told alsoo if they could but take mee, they had prepared a heldere or cleare chamber
for mee in the flbrt ;

Jn° Crooke only going along in the streete was assaulted and cruell}' wounded, and his
brother threatned to be cut in peeces if bee could be taaken.

Jacob Leiseler sent severall of the late Souldiers three times this verry day to the house of
M"' Mayor, and advized and intised them to demand from him their pay as Souldiers, saying he
has yo"" money, and if denyed to strip his coate from his backe, and plunder his house, and if
they wanted assistance when they had but begun the worke, he would send them assistance
out of the ffort, as p'" affidavy of the souldiers; —

M"" Mayor, M"' Wenham and severall others sent mee warning that they were credibly
informed that Leiselers rabble would plunder my house the next night.

June y' 28"' In contempt of the King's authority, whoos lawes are the only protextion and
safety of his subjects, some ill affected and restles spirits mett this day att the ffort, and termed
themselves to bee the Committee of Safety for this Govemm' but what they acted was kept
private ;

M"" Fredrick Philips, W jNIayor and other Gentlemen hearing that I was at my house, came
and advized mee to depart for Albany or elsewhere to be redd from the rabble, who railed
exceedingly in their drinck to do some misclieafe, whereuppon I resolved and departed this night
for Albany with a boat of M"^ De Kaay ;

July y"' S"" This day wee arrived at Albany, where wee found most part of the Inhabitants
inclined to peace and quietnes, and to maintaine their Civill Governm' till orders do arrive from
tlieir Mayesties; —

This is a true Coppy

Attested by

N. Bayabd.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI.

Order in Ccntncil to 2)roclaim their Majesties in Neic - York.

[New-Tork Entry, II. 192.]

After our hearty commendations, whereas William @ INIary Prince and Princess of Orange
have been proclaimed King @ Queen of England, Scotland, France and Ireland and of the
Territories @ Dominions thereunto appertaining, We thought fitt hereby to signify the same
unto you with directions that with the assistance of the principall Freeholders & Inhabitants of
their Maf' province of New York, you proclaim their most sacred Maf' according to the Form
hereinclosed with the Solemnities and ceremonies requisite on the like occasion, if the same be
not already done. And so we bid you farewell. From the Councill Chamber at Whitehall the
ag"" day of July 1GS9

To our loving friends Francis Nicholson Esq''"
their Ma'''' Lieu' Govern"' and Commander in
Cheif of the Province of New York. And in
his absence to such as for the time being take
care for preserving the Peace & administring
the Laws in their Ma'-^' Province of New
York in America

Memd"" The Duplicate signed at
Hampton Court the S"" day of August
1689

Newport
Dorset
imontague
Fauconbery

LUMLEY

Carmarthen P

Halifax C. P. S.

Bolton

Devonshire

Shrewsbury

Monmouth

Your very loving Friends

Carmarthen P
Halifax C. P. S.
Oxford
Macklesfield

DoRSETT

Bath
Lumley
Newport
R Howard

H POWLE

R : Hampden

Will Blathwayt.

A Proclamation for the Province of Neiv-Yorh.

rroclamatii
the Provir
New York.

Wee the Lieutenant Governor and principal Freeholder @ Inhabitants of the
Province of New York Do hereby with one full voyce and consent of Tongue @
Heart, Publish @ Proclaim, William & Mary Prince @ Princes of Orange to be King @
Queen of England Scotland, France @ Ireland Defender of the Faith, and supream Lord &
Lady of the Province of New York and all other the Territories & dominions to the Crown of
England belonging To whom we do acknowledge all Faith @ true allegiance with all heart)'-
and humble affection Beseeching God, by whom Kings reign, to bless King William & Queen
Mary with long @ happy years to reign over us

God Save King William and Queen Mary

6061 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

William III. to Lieutenant Governor Nicliolson.

[Ncw-Tork Entry, II. 194.]

William. R.

Trusty and welbeloved We Greet you well whereas we have been given to understand by
Lres from you and others the principal Inhabitants of our Province of New York of your
dutifull submission to our Royall pleasure @ readiness to receive from us such Orders as we
should think requisite for settling the Peace and good Government of our Province of New
York. Wee have thought fitt hereby to signify unto you that vpee are taking such Resolution
concerning the same as may tend to the Welfare of our Subjects inhabiting there, and in the
mean time, We do hereby authorize and Inipower you to take upon you the Government of
the said Province Calling to your assistance in y" administration thereof the Principal
Freeholders and Inhabitants of the same or so many of them as you shall think fitt. Willing
and requiring you to do @ perform all things w"''' to the place @ office of our Lieu' Gov : and
Commander in Chief of our Province of New York, doth or may appertain as you shall find
necessary for our service and the good Government of our Subjects according to the Laws and
Customes of our Said Province untill further order from us, and so we bid you farewell. Given
at our Court at Whitehall the 30"' day of July 1GS9 in the first year of our Reign

By his Ma'^' Command

Nottingham
To our Trusty and welbelovd Francis Nicholson

Esq''* our Lief Governor & Commander in

Chief of our Province of New York in America.

and in his absence to such as for the time

being take care for Preserving the Peace and

administring the Lawes in our said Province

of New York in America.

lieport and Order xipon the Earl of Sterling.^ claim to Long Island.

[New-York Entry, II. 197.]

At the Court of Hampton Court the day of August 1689.

J'uE.sENT — The Kings most excellent Mat'' in Councill

Upon reading this day at the Board a Report from the Right Honble the Lords of the
Committee for Trade and Plantations in the words following

May it please Y" Maty

We have been attended by the Earl of Sterling who laics claim to the Propriety of Long
Island within your MaV" Province of New York in America and upon examination of the said
Earls Pretensions we find that ab' the year 1603 The Earl of Clarendon in behalf of the late
King then Duke of York did treat with the Earl of Sterling for his Interest in Long Island for

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. - 607

w-'iV^ his tlien lloyall Higiiess did afterwards promise to pay to the said Earle 3500" as tlie
Lord Berkly informed him vvliich the said E of Sterling not having ret'' In the year IG74 the
said Duke of York in consideration of the Earle of Sterlings releasing all his pretence of Right
and title to the Colony of New Yk in America (whereof Long Island is part) did grant unto
the said Earle of Sterling a pension of 300 pounds PAnn : for the life of the said Earle out of the
surplusage of the Neat Profitts of the Revenue arising out of the said Colony all manner of charges
be it Civill or Military first deducted @ allowed, with a contract, That if in any year, there should
not be sufficient out of the Neat Profitts, all charges allowed to pay the said Pension as aforesaid,
the same and all the arrears thereof should be paid when there should be a sufficient Surplusage
in any other year for the same, But there having not hitherto accrued any neat Profits out of
the Revenue of New York, the Charges of the Government being defrayed by reason whereof
the said Pension of Three hundred Pounds p'': Ann: is become above fourteen years in Arrear,
We most humbly offer our opinion. That your Mat^ be graciously pleased to order the said
Pension of Three hundred pounds p'' Ann: to be paid to the said Earle with the said arrears
out of the surplusage of the neat Profitts of the Revenue of the said Colony as the same shall
arise, all manner of Charges Civill and Military within the said Colony being first deducted
pursuant to his Grant from the Duke of York as aforesaid. And that the said Earle may have
free liberty by his Agent or officer at New York, yearly to inspect the publique acct' and
management of the Revenue of that Colony to the end his Lopp may be fully informed of the
neat Profitts that may arise out of the said Revenue, to be satisfied and paid to his Lopp in
such manner and under such conditions as is before exprest

All which is most humbly submitted

His Majesty in Councill was graciously pleased to approve of the said Report, and to order,
as it is hereby ordered, That the Governor or Commander in Chief of New York for the time
being do cause the said Pension of 300" P Ann to be paid to the said Earle with the said
Arrears out of the surplusage of the neat Profitts of the Revenue of the said Colony of New
York, as the same shall arise, all manner of Charges Civill and Military within the said Colony
being first deducted And it was further ordered that the said Governor or Commander in
Chief do also permitt the said Earle to have free liberty by his Agent or officer at New York,
yearly to inspect the Publick Accounts & Managem' of the Revenue of that Colony, to the end
his Lopp may be fully informed of the Neat Profitts that may arise out of the said Revenue,
and also satisfied and paid in such manner and under such conditions as in the said Report is
exprest.

608 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Me'S-srs. I^hihps and Van Cortland to Secretary Blathwayt,

[ New-Tork Papers, B. II. 136. ]

5 August 1689.
May it please Your Honnour.

The lO"" day of June last past wee gave your honnour a full account off the transactions here
by the hands of our Lieut : Gov'' Capt" Francis Nicholson and other conveyances which wee
hope are come safely to your bauds, and that Capt° Nicholson hath given your honour a ful
relation off the Revolution here, and off the miserable estate and condition off this province
and Citty in particular — The Cantons Indians nations above Albany hearing off warr between
England and France are gone to fight the inhabitants of Canida. The Indians off Pemaquid,
since the bastoniens have served his Excell : S"" Edmond Andros and disbanded his army, have
distroyed two towns and killed several people so that, that fast and fine country is like to be
deserted. The Court off hartfortt have sent two commissioners to the Captains that tooke this
fort from Capt" Nicholson and brough[t] with them a printed proclamation without any further
order, and proclaimed their Maj"'"' thereby on the 17 of June last past. Whereupon wee with
the assistance off the Mayer, Aldermen and common councell sent for the collector M'' Mathew
Plowman, who being a Papist and the people much incensed against him, dismissed him, and
appointed Coll: Nicholas Baijard, Paul Richard, John Haines and Thomas Wenham, to be as
commissioners and receivers of their Maj"" revenues who accordingly went into the custom
house and doeing their duty ware forcibly obstructed and turned out of the Custom house in a
violent manner by Cap' Jacob Laysler and a number off armed men, and Peter de la uoy is
put in by them, who clears all vessels, and that Capt" that hath the wath in the fort signed the
passes. But since that time they have chosen a Committy of safety, out of some Counties
(: for several Counties will not joine with them) and have appointed the said Cap' Laisler to
be the commander off the Fort who now signes the passes for all vessels, he hath now raised a
company off souldiers off about 50 in the fort. The people are very unruly and committ dayly
many unlawful acts and insolencies, none pays duty but those that will, soe that if noe spedy
orders come from England, the whole revenue will fall ; all is in a confusion, the Majestrates
threatned, and hindred to doe their duty and those that endevour to hinder their doing off
mischeef and promoting off bringing the people to peace and quietnesse are called papists and
suspected persons. — Therefore we beg againe that your honour will be pleased, immediately
upon receit hereoff to take such speedy and effectual care, that the state and condition off this
province and citty may be made known to our most gracious Soveraigne to the end that speedy
releefe and others' may be sent to prevent the utter ruine off this province <ind citty, whose
trade trafiique and revenue hath been considerable, and is now wholly decaj'ed. Soe not
doubting off your honour's favourable assistance, wee subscribe ourselves.

May it please your honnour

Your honnours most humble servants

(signed). Fredrych Flypsie

S. V. CoRTLANDT.
' Qu ? oi'ilors. — Kd.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 609

Steplien Van Cortland to C((pfain Xicholmn.

[Sew-Tork Papers, B. II. 212.]

•5"" August IGSP.
Sir.

Since your departure M'' Layster (i-^t : proclaimed their Majesties on tlie IV"" day of June off

wliich I gave your Honnour an account by M"" Mackinzie, tiie 19"". The people being much

against papists beinge in office M"" Philips Coll : Bayard, the Mayor Aldermen and common

councelP to put M'' Plowman out and Coll : Bayard, Paul Richards John Haines and Thomas

[Wenham] in the Costum house to secure and receive all their Majesties revenues and as they

were a sitting in the Costum house, Capt: Layster came with several armed men and turned

them out in a violent manner, Coll: Bayard narrowly escaping having two cutts in his hatt soe

that he was forced to fly for Albany where he is now still — They forthwith put Peter de la noy

and George Brewster in the customhouse who cleares the ships, and that Captaine that hath

the guard in the fort signes the passes. But since that time they have appointed a committy

of safety out of several counties, many towns in the counties being against it and other counties

unwilling to joine with them, as Albany, Ulster, Suffolk and mo.st all New Yarsay. This

Committy hath appointed Capt: Layster to be the commander ofl' the fort, who now signes all

the passes for the vessels. The chest of money they have opened to pay their charges. He

hath raised a new company of souldiers of about 50 men. W™ Churcher is Leftenant and

Joost Stoll Ensigne of the fort. They made a new well used the planche wee provided, and

made the platforms and carriages just as you had ordered it, and are now providing the

Stockades to stockade the fort about as it was formerly — and have made a battry behind the

fort upon the flatt rock to the westward. All this (:they say:) ought to be done by you, I

answered it would have been done before now if they had not taken the fort whilst your

honnor and the magestrates ware advising and consulting for the best of the Citty and

Government — They lost three men, accidentally — the 1" when the men all run in the fort

against the will of the Officers, was shut through his legg and died, the second was a souldier

of Capt" Brockhols who listed himselfe under Capt Laister and went to wash himselfe in the

River and drowned — the S"" is Mr Willson, who they sent to proclaime their ^Nlajestys in New

Yersay and returning fell outt a Canoe at States Island and drowned, he is hurried in a great

state, the whole town invited, Every man and woman gloves, all ships and vessels their tlaggs

halfe staff, firing all when he was carried to the gi-ave. The Kings flagg at the fort halfe staff,

all the men upon the Fort in arms, the Drumms beating mornfully the gunns firing continually

till he was in the grave, his death is much lamented by them, as being a man that stood up

for the liberty of the people and protestand Religion ettc — All letters are taken upp and opened,

some letters that were sent to you from Baston and Burmudas, they have in the Fort, their

Committy called W Plowman in the Fort who as a madman, gave them an account of the

money in the Fort, upon which they opened it and called me alsoo, to an account for the taxed

money, I told them it was M'' Plowman that was to give an account for he had it in his hands,

but they said I was to pay it againe for it was unlawfully raised, and if I will not returne it

they will fetch it — I answered if they had lawfull power I should be ready to obey, their

Majesties orders and none other. They threthne me every day soe that I was ones resolved to

' Resolved, or some such word, soeniB to bo omitted here. — Ed.

Vol. IIL 77

QIQ NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCKIPTS.

absent myselfe alsoo, but have kept niyselfe home till now for I am intended to go up to Albs'
for 14. days or three weeks in hopes tliat in meane time orders will come. Their threats,
insolencies, abuses, falsities and lyes unlawful! actings and niischeeffs are soe many and
unsufterable that if noe speedy relect' and orders doe come from England many of the
Inhabitants will leave the citty and goe to live in the country, for fear of life and Estate, for
they imprison whom they please, and take out of prison those that are there for debt, they
take peoples goods out of their houses and if hindred by Justices of the peace, they come with
great numbers and fetch it out of the Justices house by forse, and doe what they please, soe
that their Capt"* can no more Rule them — It troubles them that they did not put you in prison
and seized upon your papers, there they would have found the reason, for you are a papist and
soe is C" Innes and have severall witnesses as they say against you both — Sir, if I should
write you all their particular actions time and paper would faile —

The 5 nation Indians are gone about a mouth agoe to fight the inbabitants oft' Canida, we
expect daily to hear of their actions. The Indians to the Eastward have destroyed a town
there and killed at one tinu' -Ji men in a meeting house — those att Baston are raisinge men to
goe thether, but are liartt to be had soe that I am ailraid tha( fast and good countrey will be
deserted. I gave His Exceil: an account of your departure, but have no answer, lie is on the
Island Castel, with Palmer and Grabam, West is in the common prison with M'' Randolph
and others — The news of warr between England and France put the people here in a great
feare, and to tell the truth if an Ennemy should come wee are in a bad condition having no
head to command us, ever}^ one beinge Captain. But wee hope in God tbat sudden orders
will come out of England to put us to riglits againe — In meane time I begg and desire you to
be mindfull of your kind promisses to me to acquaint M" Blathwayt of my condition and ace"
and if in any capasity as Collector, or auditor I can serve their ^Majesties if he be i)leased to
lay his commands upon mee, I shall always be faithfull to doe my duty, and if in any particular,
can serve you here, I shall always be ready, and take it for a great favour to call and subscribe
myselfe to be

May it please your hounor

Your real friend and most humble servant
(signed). .S. V. Cortlandt.

INIy wife presents her humble servise to your honnour, so dotb W Philips —
Coll: Bayard and M' Mackenzie are att Albany. —

Pray Sir if any opportunity presents lett us be honoured witli a line and what news of
nu)nient happens, and endevour that speedy orders may come for our settlement. —

' CJii? reliftf. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 6H

Colonel litn/ard to Captain JS'ichohon.

[Xew-Tork Papers, B. II. 210.]

New York' o"" August 16S9.
Honnored Sir.

Since the inclosed of the 23'''' of July I had severnll letters from my friends in IS'ew Yorke—
acquainting mee of their continuing trouble and dangers, whereof the particulars undoubtedly
will be sent yourselfe by M"' Mayor as I had desired him. — Itt is greatly feared if no sudden
orders or releefe arrives from His Majesty that some great mischeefe will befall, for the abuses
and threatnings of Leiseler and his rabble encrease daily to imprison, plunder and massacre
those who will not acquies, although tliey do submitt to their illegal proceedings, wherfore I
hope it will please God to send some speedy deliverance.

Wee have from Boston that the Indians about Piscattoway had lately killed about 50.
Christians and destroyed many settlements, which you will have more at large from New
Yorke — And now about six days past wee received the same advice from the armj^ of our
Macquas Indians, who laid about a days journey from Schaneghtede, and that four Onnongonges
or Pennequid Indians where sent them by that nation to make som proposalls, desiring the
advice of the Magestrates here either to kill them, or to take them prisonners, or what to do
with them ; Whereuppon the Magestrates desired them to be sent hither bound, with an
intention to have them convej'ed to His Excell: at Baston, lor to be employed if possible for
some use to procure a better peace ettc. but it seems some difference happened between our
said Indians, which occasioned that before this message came the said Onnogonges had made
their proposals and where dismist and departed — Yett what was ocurred the said Maquaes
Indyans on yesterday by our Messenges and interpretor Aruout Cornelisson acquainted the
Magestrates here viz : That the said Onnogonges had proposed and desired that the Maquaes
and the other four nations with the Schaghkoos Indyans would take up the ax with them
against all the Christians on this continent, since it was quite certain, that all the Christians
English Dutch and the French alsoo had made a compact to cut of all the Indians whatsoever
— Item that they might be furnished by meanes of said Macquaes with some powder and balls,
being in great need thereof and presented 40 bever skins — ettc. — Whereuppon the said
Maquaes had replyed, that they wanted not take up the ax but only against the French, and
such as would assist them, and for powder and balls they could not spare any — The said
Maquaes alsoo acquainted the Magistrates that they gave no credit to the Annogonges
Allegations about the Christians compact — Item that they had resolved to send SO Indyans
hack to guard their castles and that they could not spare their young Indyans to pursue the 4
Annogonges, because the time of their departure was already spent, and soo went on their
march to Cannida, this answer settled the minds of many of the old Inhabitants here, who
were verry suspicious that their Indians might be delivered and go to the Eastward, since wee
had various reports to that effect. And it is credibly reported that the French of Cannida are
tiie chief promoters of this message, who will never desist as long they continue there, by all
possible means to entice our Indians against us and all His Maj"" subjects on this continent, and
there make use of other measures to cleare themselfs out of the warre, which not only would
secure all the Indian trade to Canida but must unavoidably tend to the utter ruine of all the
English settlements on this Continent. Itts therefore most certaine that these English Collonies

' Ought to be "Albany," where Colonel Bayard was at this date, as appears by the postscript of the preceding letter. ^ En,

612 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

will never be at rest or sate till those ill designes of tiie French be stiffled, by the subduing
and invading of Canida, which easily might be accomplished with some small assistance from
England, by Water from New Yorke and by land from hence, in which wee may have a
sufficient number of Indians for assistance if any of their Indians would side with the French
— And truly it is of that great import that His Maj'5' ought to be duly informed thereof, for it
would not only be a nieanes to secure all the Indians to joine and stick close to the Englisli,
and hinder any of them from doeing any mischeafe, but the said conquest would be a
considerable advantage to England itselfe, in respect of its trade ; wee have various reports
that the warr is proclaimed between England and France, which if soo I humbly conceave it
would be the only time to make that attempt this verry next spring, yett leave the consideration
thereof to better Councell, In the interim my hearty prayers and wishes shall bee lor their
Majesties most happy, glorious and victorious Reigne, and with the harty offers of humble
service to yourselfe — remain — Honnored Sir

Your very humble servant

(signed). N. Bayakd.

Captain McKenzie to Captain JMcJiolsoii,.

I Nfw-York Papers, B. II. 2U. ]

15 August 16S9.

Honoured Sir ! —

Since your honours departure M' Cortlandt and jSr Levingston I know sends you an exact
account of all that has passed. The former went to Albany about 6. days ago from whence I
returned about two days after he was gon, during which small time I shall give you the best
account I can of what has happened.

The 11" Currant the sloop I came passenger in arrived about 11 o'clock at night to New York,
and I caused the skipper to set me ashore above the wind mills, and by that ineaues saved the
letters I carried (thereof that you receive from jNI"' Livingston was one), from being broke
open — next morning when it was known that 1 went ashore at such a place, I was told iM''
Leisler, stormed very much and sent to Derrick Vandenburgh, another passenger, and asked
for letters who told them he had none, ail this while they did not offer to trouble me, next
morning very early, one of his souldiers (as they call them), knockd at my door, and told me
roughly, 1 nmst go to tiie Fort to speak with the Capt" of the P'ort ( : that is M'' Leislers title : )
I told him I had no businesse there, but if ]\r Leisler desired to speak with me, he might come
if he pleas'd, with which answer the fellow left me, and I, judging what would come next shut
my door, and a little after, a Serjeant and two musquittiers knocked hard at the door, which I
would not open, but went up stairs, and from the window asked them what they would have,
they told me (in a threatning tone), you must go along with us ; I said I would not ; and bid
them show me their warrant, and they held up their musquetts, which I said was not
satisfactory to me, upon wliicli they called me the greatest rogue in the whole country and
threatned to pull down the house, which words I regarded not ; the serjeant told me he would
bring a warrant, and left centinels one at the fore and anotiicr at the back doore, but returned
without any only took witnesses that I refused to go along with them ; at which I smiled, and

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 613

told them I would be at the bridtre in half an hour and was as good as my word, walking a
great part of the day in the most public, places but they did not offer to lay hands on me ; till
next day towards evening walking in the broad way they saw me and went and told M' Leisler
who ordered two to lay hold of me who forced me to the fort (of this I took M'' Tewder to
witness : ) whither when I came they led me up to that chamber whei-e your Hon"" lodged,
where assembled the Capt" and the Committee, who had Thomas Clark before them for writing
of a certain paper entitled: the reasons why Thomas Clark freeholder of the city of New York
would not watch nor ward. I, at my entry asked the reason why I was brought thither in so
rude a manner he told me he would tell me by and by, and bid me to go into the next chamber,
where W delaNoy M"' Edschill (two of the Committee), and Capt" Leisler came to me and told
me they wondered I would not come since they desired I would only be pleased to tell them
whither I knew that a skipper (who went to Esopas that day) had carried any [powder/] along
with them. I told them their messengers did not well perform their commands, for instead of
such smooth words, they called me Rogue and threatned me, which gave me cause to suspect
they might deal worse by me in the fort, and I answered their question, that I knew nothing of
powder or any thing else. Then they begun to discourse of a letter of mine wrote to Coll :
Hamilton which they intercepted, it was in answer to one Coll : Hamilton wrote to me, desiring
to know whither what was reported to him of the peoples threatning to do with him was true,
for his wife was then extreamly sick of a fever whom he desired to bring to New York. INI"'
Delanoy showed me the letter and 1 told him it was my hand, my answer was to this effect
( : which was severe enough but I had forgot most part of it), that I had not heard any such
threatnings, only David bloody reported that Capt" Leisler threatened to send down a company
for him, and if so, said I, I would not advise you to come up, nor do I think it convenient to
ask >r Leisler's leave, for by that means you will seem to confess yourself in fault, and if he
should grant leave I would not advise you to take his word, for I should not take it in a thing
of less moment, and the seeing of you in town may provoke these men you examined at Jersey
(For he took up those C Leisler sent thither : ) for I understand they are some of the most
malicious amongst them — After reading of it M"' Leisler said he wondered what wrong he had
done me that I should write so of him to wrong his credit, that if he knew he had done me
any wrong he would beg pardon for it upon his knees, I answered if I did him wrong I would
beg his, but I told him I was provoked first by his calling me a Papist for so I was told ; he
answered it was a very great lye for he had never said so, after a little pause he put on a more
angry look, and said he knew I was Popishly affected, I answered that is not true, I am as
nmch a protestant as you or any man in the Country ; why, says he, have not I heard you call
Father Smith a very good man, yes replyed I, and so I do still he is a very good humoured
man, but I never called him so because he was a Papist, and I was so far from haveing any
friendship for his principlis, that iir all the six yeares I had known New York I never so much
as out of curiosity looked into their Chappell. — He told me I kept with D'^ Innes I went to
hear him and prayed with him and that he was a Papist, I replyed that is not true, he then told
me that one had sworne it, I told him I will not believe it if 10 of them should sweare it, but
not one word of your honour all the while, but after a great deal of their discourse which what
I liked not I always contradicted, he at last said I might call him what I pleased he would Pray
God to bless me, and then I prayd God might bless him, in which holy sort of coraplem' we
continued a pretty while and at last said he would never do me any prejudice, and I made
answer after the same manner, and so was dismissed very civilly, which I very much wonder

(314 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

at, for he treated vandenburgh (who is one of the troopers:) verry far otherwise, forbidding
him to ride in the troop, and that if lie sliould see him ahorseback he would shoot him down.
It would proove tedious to give an account of all that passed betwixt him and I, but the other
Comittee men and he too spoke with as much smoothness and civility as I think I have heard,
which was pretty strange because new to nie. Whatever the reasons be I fared better than
others, for they put M" Larkin in prison a pretty while, and they still detain M' Clark tho he
De very sick. It was afterwards reported that he braged how submissive I was and that I
beg'd him not to put me in the hold, but when I enquired into it I found no such thing, soe that
I hope he is don with me. Capt" Sturman by whom this comes carries Stole with him, who I
hear goes in quality of their Ambassador and Capt" Lodovicks brother M'' Clarkson. I have
wrote to Boston for a vessell to carry me off, so that I believe I shall depart this place by
October next — Sir Edmund got out of prison and escaped as far as Ilhod Island, but was there
seized on, and it is reported that Coll : Dongan is likewise kept prisoner, who w^ent thither
much about the same time with a design to sell Martins Uineyard, upon which, foolish and
ridiculous reports were raised, viz : that they were to join together and with I know not how
many men, to come to take the fort ettc : the horse is not yet quite cured and the ferrier is
fearful lest when the wound is closed up his eye may be endengered. I shall carry all your
things along with me, and advise you what I can do with them when I arrive at Barbadoes. I
have hardly had time to write anything considerable — Your Hon"' will pardon I hope my
tediousness for I had not time to make my letter shorter I am

Sir — Your honour's

most affectionate and most faithfull servant

(signed): Geo: ^PKenzie —

Ckifptain Leisler io King William and Queen Mary.

[Sew-York Papers, B. II. 432.]

20. August 1GS9.
May it please your Majesties.

I humbly begg leave to your Majesties with possible respeckt by the express barer Joost StoU
the Ensigne of Your Majesties fort, that the advice of &"■ Edmund Andros confinement at Boston
has caused here severall meetings, were I have assisted in quality as one of the five Capt"' of
the Militia, where the Lieut: Gov"" of the fort Capt" Nicholson has proposed severall propositions
which had but a show for the best of your Majesties Colony, while his violent caridge has
discovered his malicious designe, whereof the particulars should be too long, which has moved
severall inhabitants to secure the fort to be preserved for your Majesties, and to prevent, that
with the great gunns he should not fyre the towne as he intended, the fort so seased without
violence nor blodshed has been preserved for one month, by the said Capt"' by turns, having
received the day of my watch the hajipy proclamation of your Majesties to be King and Queen
of England, France and Ireland ettc (from Conecticot:) I have immediately proceeded to the
])roclaiming, which was solenmly eflected the t?2"'' of June when we had miraculous deliverance
of a lyre which had been kendeled in three severall places uj)on tiie Tcrret of the Church in

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 615

the fort GOOD lb powder being next under the same roof and suspected to be done by one Papist
who had been there before and was discovered by one Neger, and fort, city, and tlie people
were trew Gods mercy miracoulusly saved of that iiellish designe, tlie committees of the
nabouring counties and of this city with all the Capt°^ being mett to advice, and order all
things necessary to resist the Ennemy, and to consei-ve this fort. City, land and Protestant
Religion, they have thought necessary, to elect one of the Capt°' to command in the fort till
your Maj"" order, and they have thought me faithfull and able of that charge which I have
exerced from the first of July last, to discharged worthely and to the satisfaction of your
Majesties; I have made one iiiventary of all things therein, and having perceived tlie miserable
state thereof, I have caused to mend, and make most all the gunn carriages, there being not
above 8 or 10. able to make use of, all the rest were sunk upon there platforms, which I have
caused all to be made new with the curtins and bostions, and for the better defence I have
caused one battery to be made at the River side at the west of the fort, where I have planted
seven great gunns — I am now mending the breast works and palissadings the fort round, and
the well in the fort, which was filled up by Coll: Dongan is made new againe and gives good
water enough, the sally port being quite rotten and ruined is renued and in good condition,
there was in the powder magasin -50 barrells, whereof the ])ow(ler maker has renewed 28. and
also the room which was quiett unfitt for powder — the remaining of the powder shall be
iinployed for saluting, being good for nothing elce ; I have secured ;19. barrells powder in llie
fort out of the city magasin belonging to the Marchants, there is bullets sufficient for the powder
we have and other things enough for which I have provided — The citj' is fortify ed at the
landside, with good pallisades, and in several places there are guns — I have fifty men in the
fort, which the country has promised me to pay, and above that, the train bands, mounts every
night with one company to the guard, so that we watch for our conservation the more having
advice of Suranam and S' Christopher where the French with the Irish amongst them have
committed great outrages and disorders, and more the escape of S"' Edmund Andros out of
prison from Boston who has been known and stopt at Road Island, where Coll: Dongan did the
same day landed severall of his people and himselfe, was set ashore neer new London a ^ days
journey from Road Island, apparently to joine with him, which caused me to be jelous of some
intelligence for a bad designe to which we can joine Coll : Bayard who has absented himself
from this city since five or six weeks, and is at Albany where the Mayor Cortlandt is gone to
meet him since some days — no doubt but to conferr with more liberty, having both been
councellors to Capt Nicholson and aploded to all his propositions, but I watch no less upon their
conduct, as to them and severall other peculiar persons, who under the aparance of the functions
of the Protestant Religion, remain still affected to tiie Papist, which are here in greater number
then in whole New England — The 16. of this instant after watch set aryved here three scollers
with two attenders out of Boston armed over the ferry from Long Island and entered into a
taverne the doors and windows being shutt, and a men on horseback being immediately
dispatched did ryde away post, upon this Island, wee having notice of S"" Edmund Andros
designing to come here and the said people having no pass, and more letters then they give an
account of being found by them, caused all the inhabitants to suspect them to be some of S'
Edmund Andros's people and himselfe to be neare this place, whereupon I allarmed the city
and in one half houre there came aboute 500 men couragiously in amies, most of the troopers
would not appear being discouraged and terrified by severall ill affected people friends to S'
Edmund Andros and those that would not appeare to proclaim your Majestyes, So that I was

G16 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

ohlified to secure eiglit of tliem. the which being confined hatli given satisfaction to tlie
inhabitants in general! — I durst not let tiiem go for feare of exposing them to the rage of the
countrey, who are greatly offended with them; the abovesaid travellers — proving to be honist
men, the soldiers were dismissed, upon which they offer'd their service to work without any
stop till the city and fort where fully fortifyed and conipleated for defence — M'' Ennis' the late
English Minister lately departed from this place with testimony of the Dutch and French
jNIinister has since been known to be of opinion contrai-y to our religion, whereof I have
testimony in good forme, The month provision I shall secure in the fort a sufficient quantity,
upon the least appearing of any Emiemy whom please God I shall resist till death to the service
of your jNIajesties, there is wanting in the fort and city some great gunes, and powder and shot
but expecting daily orders from your Majesties, which shall be executed, according your
Majesties desire — There is none but Your Majes'"" souldiers in the Fort, and the committees to
whom the oath of fidelity to your majesties is administred, they that exercise here the justices,
have refused to administer the oath in the fort, which has obliged me to send for one Capt"
"Gerardus Beekman Justice of the peace from long Island, they have not had that zeale for the
Inhabitants, having neglected hitherto, to ofler them to take of them the oath of fidelity to
your Majes''" — I shall neglect nothing in the function of my charge, that your Majeslie may
know with what zeale and sincerity I am

Most dread soveraigne
Your Majesties

dutiful and obedient subject
(signed). Jacob Leisler.

J/y'. Tuder to Capfaln jSficliohon.

[New- York Papers, 15. II. 220.]

August 1GS9
Honored Sir

Soe good an opportunity as this presenting I could not omitt, giveing you the trouble of these
few lines which accompany tiiat worthy Heroe Ensigiie Stoll in the Bordeaux Merchant Capt"
Stumaan commander, who is sent from hence by our Noble Committee of safety to theire
Majesties to give an account of affairs in these partes, And for feare he slioidd be a little to
slack in telling the whole truth, I thought it not amiss by this in shorte to accjuainte how
affaires have been managed since your departure.

On Saturday June the 22"** M'' Leisler proclaimed King William and Queen Mary haveing
gott a printed proclamation from INIajor Gould and Capt" Fitz who came from Coniiecticutt for
that purpos, but proclaimed in the most meanest manner as you can imagin. After they had
proclaimed him against the Forte, the Capt" sent downe to the Mayor and Aldermen and
demanded them to proclaime their INIaj''" at the citty hall, who returned their answer, that they
were very ready to proclaime the King and Queen upon the first orders they should receave for
the same, and that if they had any orders to do it they were ready to attend them at the Citty

' Reverend Alexander In.nes had been npiioiuted Clmplnin to the fort at New-Vork in lt".Sfi. See niite, ante p. 416. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 617

Hall according to former Custoiiie ; upon which Capt" Leisler Capl" Lodwick Capt" Debrowne
and Capt" Depieter with their companies marcht from the forte to the Citty Hall, Major Gonld
Capt" Fitz and the worthy M'' Edsall and several others leading the Vann. —

When they came to the State House the RIayor and Aldermen being there before, IVr Leisler
delivered the proclamation to the Mayor, who after he had read it privately to himselfe delivered
it to Leisler againe and tould him they were there ready if he had receaved any orders to
proclaime the King to see it donne. — Uppon which Leisler demanded the Clarke of the Court
to read it, The Mayor replyed he was not there, but it was alwayes usuall, that the Secretary
that proclaimed him first at the forte should proclaime him there which putt all the Capt"' in a
great rage. Soe they called the person that proclaimed him at the forte to read it there which
was accordingly done, and the Capt"' departed with their men in a great huff. —

Munday the 24"" June the Mayor and Aldermen liaveing by them their Maj"" proclamation
to continue all Officers that were not Papists proclaimed the same at the State House, which
attronted the Capt"' and their gang very much.

Tewsday the So"" "M' Plowman being a Papist was by M' Phillips M' Bayard and the Mayor
and Aldermen dismist from tlie custom house, And Coll: Bayard M'' Haynes Paulus Richards
and ^NP Wenham was appointed Commissioners to take care of His Majesties Customs, which
soe much affronted the otlier party that they came with forse and amies, and puld them out by
the haire of their heads, cutting and slashing at Coll : Bayard, that he was hard put to it to
escape with his life ; ever since which he was forsed to goe away privately to Albany and their
remains.

]\P' Bayard desired me to acquaint you that her husband had writt at large to the Secretary
of State from Albany, but the letter is strangely miscarryed, and the ship being ready to saile,
cannot give him an account of it, whereby he might write another.

Our present Govern' here is by a Comitee of safety, as they terme themselves, in which I
may bouldly say, is not two men of sence, De la noy and Edsell being the two Chief some
towns have chosen and sent men in, but others refuse ; in shorte the greates Olleverians that
were in the Govern' are made Comittee men, who governe and rule at soe strainge a rate, that
I am not able to express it, denying all power but their owne, putting in and turneing out the
Rlillitia Officers at pleasure, some of tliem openly saying there had been no legall King in
England since OUivers days, imprisoning persons at their pleasure in the forte. M"' Tho' Clarke
at this time being in custody in the forte and doe designe as they say to keep him there soe long
as they Governe, severall others have been in but now released — I must not forget to acquaint
you that this Embassador Stoll was the chief actor at the custom house, cutting and slashing
att Bayard, and tareing them out by the hare. M"' Cox to shew his fine cloaths undertooke to
goe to Amboy to proclaime the King, who comeing whome againe was fairely drowned, which
accident startled our Commanders here very much, there is a good rich widdow left. — The
manner of his being drowned was comeing on board in a Cannow from Capt" Comelis point at
Statten Islands, goeing into the boate slipt downe betwixt the Cannow and the boate the water
not being above his chinn, but very muddy, stuck fast in and striving to get out, bobbing his
head under receaved to much water in. They brought him ashore with life iu him, but all
would not fetch him againe — Soe much for A f —

Sir Edmund about fourteen dayes ago made his escape from the Castle at Boston and gott to
Road Islands, where making to long stay was caught againe and is now there under custody,

Vol. in. 78

618 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

what follow'd we know not as yett, ]\Lnjor Brocklioles D'' Lockhart and Major INIagregry are
here witli us. —

INIagregry to requite Coll : Dongan for his favours, Offered Capt" Leisler if he would let him
have but foure men and a halbert he would fetch Dongan up a prisoner, telling him it was not
safe to let him be at liberty. I hope such fellows in time will be rewarded. —

Wee are in a sad confusion here dayly waiting for news from England which God grant
may come spedily, otherwise I am affraid things will goe very ill here.

Sir, excuse anything in this that is Amiss, and accept of it as the tender of my service. —
Not else but I am

Sir,

Your most humble servant,
(signed). John Tuder. —

Minutes of ilie Lords of Trade concern ing JVetv-YorJc.

[Xow-York Entry, 11. 202.]

Mem''

Tlie Right Honble the Lords of the Council for Trade @ Plantations agree to move his ISIaf
that a Ire received from the Council of New York be read at the Board and humbly offer their
opinions that a Gov'' be forthwith sent to New York with such a Commission and Instructions
its are intended for the other Plantations and that a ship of strength be appointed to carry the
Governor.

And whereas the five Indian Nations bordering on New York may be very useful to the
English against the French, that his Maf be pleased to send them presents y* value of which
to all of them, not to exceed one hundred pounds which may engage them to adhere to the
Crowne of England.

That in as much as by the late disorder in New York, the two foot Companies are disperst
His Mat'*' be pleased to raise two new Companies and to maintain them in New York untill that
Government be setled, and Provision made for tiiem out of the Revenue of that Country
Tliose Companies to be carried thither in y"" ship that shall be appointed by the Governor

Councul Ciiamber
31'' August 1G89

Memo""

Tlie IS"" Sep. 16S9 It being resolved by His Mat'* tiiat two Foot Companies to be raised
here be sent to New York for the Forts there. Their Lopps agree tliat his INIat^ be moved to
appoint the several Commission Officers, tlie Governor to be one of the Captains.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 619

Orders for raising tivo Companies for New - Yorh^ and for Indian Presents.

[Ncw-Tork Entry, II. 246.]

At the Court at Whitehall The 2" day of September 1GS9

Presext — The Kings most excellent INIat'' in Couucill

Upon a representation this day made at the Board, by the Right Honble tlie Lords of the
Committee for Trade and Plantations His Mat'' in Council declared His Pleasure that two
Companies of Foot of sixty men in each Company besides Officers, be forthwith raised, for
their Mat'' service in New York, to be carried thither on bord the ship, which shall be
appointed by the Right Honble the Commissioners of the Admiralty, to carry the Governor
of New York to that Government, and His Mats' \^ further pleased to order that the said two
companies be paid out of tiie Revenue here in England until the Government of New York
be settled, and Provisions made for them out of the Revenue of that Countrj'.

At the Court at Whitehall the 2°<' September 1689.

Present — The King's most excellent Ma"' in Councill

^TseStffor'the ^^ ^^ ^^"^ ^^^ Ordered by His Mat'*- in Council, that the Right Honble : the

Indians. Lords Commissioners of the Treasury do forthwith give Directions, for the

Payment of one hundred Pounds to Henry Sloughter Esq™ Gov'' of New York for the buying
such Presents to be made in His Mat'^ Name, to the five Indian Nations, Bordering upon
New- York as have beentheretofore usually sent the Indians in those Parts

Lord J^fingluiin to Lord Sunderland.

[New- York Papers, HI. A. 31.]

My Lord,

Being now at New York for the advantage of my liealth by His Majesty's Gracious favour
of which I gave your Lordship an account from 'Virginia and by Col: Dungans favour being
made acquainted with the transactions between hira and y'' Governor of Canada I cannot omitt
so great a part of my duty to his Maj'^ as not to represent to Yo' Lordship y* fatall effect these
pretensions of the French if not suppressed will consequently have not only on this Colony but
on other His Ma'^* Dominions in tliese parts of America, for, my Lord, if they gain tlieir point
the Beavour Trade with the Northen Indians the staple and great support of this place is cutt
oft" and then those Indians being under their subjection Mrginia will never be free from their
invasioijs and crueltys which it severely felt till by Col: Dungans great care and prudence tliey
were brought under this Govern' and so submitted themselves to be his Ma'^' subjects which
they did three years w'''' I was a witness to at w'''' time likewise I made a peace w"" them on
the behalf of "Virginia and have had the effect of it the Inhabitants of y' place taking courage

620 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

againe now to seak y^ heads of y" Rivers W'' they had for some time deserted by reason of y*
continuall invasions, and Miscliiefs committed on them by tliose Indians now being here I
have had b}^ the Governors influence and comand over them returned to me nine or ten
prisoners W"" some of their ungovernable p'sons toolie fro ns the last spring in their passage as
they returned from Hunting and doe not question Init for the future shall enjoy a p''fect peace
and friendship by y^ Interest and awe y' y*^ Governor hath over them. This I thought, my
L** my duty to represent to Yo"' Ldship and question not when I have acquainted y^ Councill of
Virginia w"" y" dangers y' will dayly impend over that place if y' French should be Masters of
those Indians but they will humbly offer it to His Mnj-^' Royall Consideration w'''' I shall at my
return W^*" will be within foure daj\s having greatly recovered my health and strenth by the
little time I have been in this halthfull ayre for w"^*" favour I most cordially offer my humblest
duty to his Maj'>' and whereby I hope I may longer live to pray for his Ma'^' long, glorious
Reign and also with all to owne myself

My noble Lord

Your Ldships
Most Oblijdged humble Servant
For my Lord Sunderhmd Effingham

New York. Se])' -5"' lO'^O.

Extract of Colond Bayard's Letter^ dated AJhaiuj^ 2od September^ 1689.

[Xcw-Yi.rk Papers, P,. II. 247.]

Speaking of Leyslaer and the Rebells of his party in New Yorke :

At first all pressures were made to bring in some of the chiefe and leading men but hardly
one man of sence and few of estate would be concerned, only the Captains (: who stood out
at first:) were at last cajoll'd and terrified in some respects to humour their illegal proceedings
to prevent their being plundered as they alledge, but I doubt much whether other ends of
private interest for saving of customes has not been to some of those a great encouragement. —
But since of late severall letters protests and papers are afi.xd and dispersed, which foretell
them their approaching troubles (: to answer for all their insolencies:) and dangers, manny begin
to recant. — By the last vessells we had news that none of the Capt"' would be further
concerned and that the Comitte of safety (: as they terme tiiem : ) refuse to meet or act any
further, only Pieter Delanoy and Samuell Edsall continue to advise Leyslaer, but La noy will
not sett his hand to any paper so Leyslaer takes all upon himselfe.

New Jersey, Esopus and Albany with severall of the Townes on long Island would never
concur or approve of Leyslacrs Rebellion altho' severall factious and seditious poor people are
amongst them who could finde no leader and now since the falsities and unwarrantable
proceedings of Leyslaer are daily discovered and they heginn to see the danger, it is thwopinion
of severall that altho' a Governour should not arrive in some short time, yett the Rebells
now would suddainly fall of themselves —

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 021

As to the affaires of the five Indian Nations, tliey at'ick closs to tiiis place and own tlie civil!
jNIagistrates here in the absence of Our Governour, acquainting them of their resolves and
proceedings against Cannada. The nations have been out most part of tliis sununer, most
with small parties and once with 900 men endevouring by a stratageme to make tiiemselves
masters of Cadaracqua Fort but could only speak with a priest called Father f'^jMellet, and
one other French Man and soe went neer Mont Royall where they killed and took prisoners,
some say 300, some 400, whereof they brought about 130 to their castles whom they have
most barbarously tormented and burnt saving only children and youth with some tew given to
some familyes and by them obtained theire freedome to live amongst them, the said priest is
one that had such good fortune. The said Indians do still continue to make incursions by
small parties and bring in French prisoners ; last week a party of tenn Indians brought seven
prisoners whereof they had killed and eat two by the way and the rest are sent to their Castles,
a Christian heart could not endure to see the cruelties they impose upon these poor soules, they
say that midst their torments great exclamations are made against the French Gouvernour
Marshall De Nonvielle as being the chiefe occassion of all theire miseries. The prisoners report
five ships are arrived from France but no man of warr or souldiers, that De Nonville is
departing for France being sent for to command some of the French forces and that another
Governour was suddenly expected, that a vessel! was sent for the Indian prisoners that were
sent to France to bring them back to Canada. — Millbourn (b) arriving at New Yorke from
Holland it was reported, that the late King James had sold this country to the French, and
because Governour Dongan would not be such an ill person as to deliver it he was removed and
Andros put in his place who with me and some others had undertaken to surrender it unto
their power, but this lye as all the rest having no root suddainly vanished so they are daily
inventing new ones to keep up the people in their madness but it will not continue — M"'
Pincheon M'' Belcher and Capt"' Tho= Savage and Bull have renew'd the peace with the Indians
on belialfe of the Colonyes of the Massachussets, Connecticontt and Plymouth but have mist
their chiefe expectations, since these nations will not take up the ax against the Onongongues
Indians (c) until! they finde that the Onnagonges doe side with the French against themselves,
they being unwilling to draw more ennemyes upon them while the warr with Canada continues.

a). Father Millett was the priest who invited the Synekes Indians to the French fort at
Cataraque, where being very merry them French made them prisoners, and sent ahout 27 of
the Chiefe of tliem in Irons to France — The reason why the poor distressed Frencli cry out
in their torments against the present Gover"'' Marquis de Nonville, by whose order they were
sent to the French King as cliiefe men taken in warr.

b). Millburne the same who occasioned so much trouble to S'" Edmund Andros at New Yorke
and in London brother to Mi[l]burn the Anabaptist preacher the great ringleader of the
Rebellion with us. —

c). take lip the ax against the Anagongcs i: e: make warr upon our Eastern Indians: — tlie
chiefe occasion of our people's sending agents to treat with the Maques Indians, and are wholy
disappointed in that designe.

622 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Proposals suhmltted hij Colonel Sloiiglder to the Lords of Trade.

[ New-York Papers, B. II. 298. ]

Reasons humbly to he ottered to the Right Honble the Lords Comiss" of their
Majesties forraigue plantations for the settlement and preservation of the
Colony of New York and its dependances and the adjacent Colonies upon
the following heads.

New York at present lyetli under a loose management being destitute both of a Govemour
and Government seized by the Rable, invaded by the French of Canada and their Indians in
alliance with them.

New York lyetli soe advantageously scituate betweene the Colony of New England and
Virginia, that should it foil into the hands of the French, tlie trade of all those parts in
America, would be totally ruined, and the Country itselfe in great danger of being destroyed.

Therefore its requisite —

1*'. That a Councill should be nominated,

2'y. Convenient forses both land and Naval! be sent over for their securit)* —

3'^. To enlarge the fortifications of Albany and to make a fortification at Sciianechteda to
prevent the Incursions of the French and their Indians of Canada.

4'y. To make two forts and platforms, one at Sandy hook and one at the Narrowes to
Command the vessells that may come into that port.

5'^. To make a small platforme at Hellgate to Command all small vessels and boates that
may enter by that passage to Annoy the City —

6'y. To send good store of amies and ammunition and other warrlike provisions, Especially
carabines, pistolls, warrsadles, Holsters, belts and all other furnitures.

7'y. And which is most advantageous and necessary to send for the Sachems of the seven
Nations to renew the former leagues and Alliances who ai'e the only bulwark against the Freucii
and their Indians in alliance with them.

1" For the defraying the necessary charges of the Government and Maintenance of the warr,
it will be requisite to bring into that Government Conecticut, East and West Jarsey and
Pensilvania Colonies —

2"^ That New York be the only port for the entrance of all shipps, and that none that conies
within Sandy hook enter at any other place.

3rd That no private proprietor may liave the liberty of makeing alliances with the Indians
Sachems in their own names, but that all leagues that are made, be in the name of the King
and Queen's Ma'"^' and at New York.

4"" That the Sus(iuahannah river be [not] annexed to anotiier propriety but the Govern' of
New York and its dependances.

Note : Should tiiis (loloay lallinto tiie liands of the French the first thing they would doe,
will be to make a mould for their men of warr and privateers, soe that it would be impossible
for any shipps from those parts to pass free. —

.'>?'

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 623

Draft of a Commission for Henry Slourjliter^ Esquire, to le Goi:ernor of jSfew-Yorl\
and Order in Council thereupon.

[ Xcw-Tork Entrj-, II. 204. ]

William & Mary by tlie grace of God King and Queen of England, Scotland,
France and Ireland Defenders of the Faith &''.

To our Trusty @ welbeloved Henry Sloughter Esq'"'^ Greeting. Wee reposing especial
trust and confidence in the Prudence courage @ Loyalty of you the said Henry Sloughter, out of
our especial Grace, certain knowledge @ meer motion, have thought fit to constitute and appoint^
you the said Henry Sloughter, to be our Captain General and Governor in chief in and over
our Province of New York, and the Territories depending thereon in America.

And We do hereby require and command you to do and e.\ecute all things in due manner that
shall belong unto your said Command and the Trust we have reposed in you according to the
severall Powers @ Directions granted or appointed you by this present Comission and the
Instructions herewith given you or by such further Powers, Instructions @ Authoritys as shall
at any time hereafter be granted or appointed you under our signet and sign Manual or by our
order in our Privy Council & according to such reasonable Laws and Statutes as now are in
force or hereafter shall be made @ agreed upon by you with the advice @ consent of the
Council @ assembly of our said Province under your Government in such manner @ Forme
as is hereafter expressed.

And We do hereby give @ grant full Power unto you the said Henry Sloughter after you
shall have first taken an oath for the due execution of the Office @ Trust of our Captain
General and governor in Chief in @ over our said Province of New York @ the Territories
depending thereon (which our said Council or any five of them have hereby full Power @
Authority and are required to administer mito you) to give and administer to each of the
members of our said Council, as well the oaths appointed by act of Parliament, to be taken
instead of the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Test and as the Oath for the due
execution of their places and Trust.

And We do hereby give you and grant unto you full power and authority to suspend any of
the members of our said Council, from sitting, voting and assisting therein if you shall find
just cause for so doing.

And if it shall at any time happen that by the death, departure out of our s"* province or
suspension of any of our Councillors there shall be a vacancy in our said Council (any three
whereof we do hereby appoint to be a Quorum) Our Will and pleasure is that you signify
the same unto us by the first opportunity, that we may under our signet and sign Manual!,
Constitute and appoint others in their stead.

But that our affaires at that distance may not sutler for want of a due number of Councillors,
If ever it shall happen that there be less than seven of them residing in our said Province.
We Do hereby give @ grant unto you full power @ authority, to choose as many p'^sons out
of the principall Freeholders Inhabitants thereof, as will make up the full number of our said
Council to be seven @ no more, which persons by virtue of such choice, shall be to all Intents

' In the Commission, as recorded in the State Office, Albany, and which bears date 4th January, 1690, these words
follow here : " And Wee Doe by these presents Constitute and Appoint." JSook of Commissions, U., 3. The words in Italics
in this Draft are omitted in the Commission. — Ed.

624 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and ])urposes Councillors in our said Province nntill they shall be confirmed by us or that by
the nomination of others by us under our sign Manual and Signet the said Council shall have
seven persons in it.

And we do hereby give @ grant unto j'ou full power and authority with the advice @
consent of our said Councill from time to time as need shall recjuire, to sunniion & call generall
Assemblies of the Inhabitants being Freeholders within your Government, according to the
usage of our other Plantations in America.

And our will and Pleasure is, that the persons thereupon duely elected by the Major part of
the Freeholders of the respective Countys and places and so returned and having before their
sitting taken the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of
Allegiance and Supremacy and the Test, which you shall commissionate fit persons under our
seal of New York to administer, and without taking which, none shall be capable of sitting
though elected, shall be called and held the Gen"'"' Assembly of that our Province and the
Territories thereunto belonging

And that you the said Henry Sloughter by @ with the consent of our said Councill and
Assembly or the major part of them, respectively have full power and authority to make
constitute and ordaine Laws Statutes @ ordinances for y'' publicjue Peace, welfare and good
Government of our said Province and of the people @ Inhabitants thereof and such others as
shall resort thereto & for the benefit of us our Heirs & Successors

Which said Laws Statutes & Ordinances are to be (as near as may be) agreeable unto the
Lawes & Statutes of this om- kingdome of England

Provided that all such Laws, Statutes & Ordinances of what nature or Duration soever be
within three months or sooner after the making thereof, transmitted unto us under our seal ot
New York for our Approbation or Disallowance of the same, As also Duplicates thereof by the
next conveyance

And in case any or all of them being not before confirmed by Us shall at any time be
disallowed @ not approved, and so signified by Us our Heires & Successors, under our or their
Sign Manual and Signet or by order of our or their privy Council unto you the said Henry
Sloughter or to the Commander in Chief of the said Province for y^ time being, then such and
so many of them as shall be soe disallowed and not approved shall from thenceforth cease
determine @ become utterly voyd and of none effect, any thing to the contrary thereof
notwithstanding.

And to the end nothing may be passed or done by our said Councill or assembly to the
Prejudice of us, our Heires and Successors, We will @ ordaine that you the said Henry
Slougliter, shall have @ enjoy a negative voice in the making and passing of all Laws,
Statutes @ ordinances as aforesaid

And that you shall and may likewise from time to time as you shall judge it necessary
Adjourn Prorogue and Dissolve all General Assemblies as aforesaid

And our Will and Pleasure is. That you shall @ may keep and use the publique Seal
appointed or to be appointed by us for our Province of New York

And we do further give and grant unto you the said Henry Sloughter full power and
authority from time to time @ at any time hereafter by your self or by any other to be
authorized by you in tiiat behalf, to administer @ give the oaths appointed by Act of
Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of allegiance and supremacy, to all and every
such person or persons as you shall think fit who shall at any time or times pass into the said
Province or shall be resident or abiding there

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 625

We do further give @, grant unto you full Power @ authority with tlie advice @ consent of
Our said Council to erect, Constitute, and Establish such (2), so many Courts of Judicature and
publique Justice within our said Province and the Territories under your Government, as you
and they shall think fit and necessary for the hearing and determining of all causes as well
criminal as Civil according to Law and Equity, and for awarding of execution thereupon, with
all reasonable and necessary Powers, Authorityes Fees and Priviledges belonging unto them,
As also to appoint and commissionate fit Persons in the several Parts of your Government to
administer the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the oaths of
allegiance and supremacy & the Test unto such as shall be obliged to take the same.

And we do hereby authoryze and Impower you to constitute and appoint Judges justices of
the Peace and other necessary officers and ministers in our said Province of New York for the
better administrat" of Justice @ putting the Laws in Execution and to administer such Oath or
oaths as are usually given for the due execution and performance of Offices @ Places, and for
the clear^ of Truth in Judicial Causes

We do further by these presents Will and require )'0u, to permitt appeals to be made in cases
of Error from our Courts in New York unto our Council & Governor' in Civil Causes Provided
the value appealed for do exceed the sum of one hundred pounds Sterling, and y' security be
first duly given by the appellant to answer such Charges as shall be awarded in case the first
sentence shall be affirmed

And whereas We do Judge it necessary that all our subjects may have liberty to appetxl to
our Roj'al Person in cases that may require the same Our Will @ Pleasure is that if either
Party shall not rest satisfied with the Judgment or Sentence of our Governor @, Council they
may then appeal unto us in our Privy Council. Provided the matter in difference exceed the
real value & sum of three hundred pounds Sterling. And that such appeal be made within one
Fortnight after sentence and that Security be likewise duly given by the Appellant, to
answer such Charges as shall be awarded, in case the Sentence of the Governor @ Council be
confirmed And provided also tliat Execution be not suspended by reason of any such appeal
unto us.

And We do hereby give and grant unto you full power and authority where you shall judge
any offender or offenders in Criminal matters or for any Fines or Forfeitures due unto us fitt
objects of our Mercy to Pardon & remitt all such offenders Fines & Forfeitures before or after
sentence given (Treason and wilful murther only excepted,) In which Cases you shall likewise
have power upon extraordinary occasions to grant Reprieves to tiie ofli^nders until our Royall
Pleasurt" may be known therein.

And We do by these presents further authorize and Lnpow"' you to colate any Person or
Persons in any Churches, Chappels, or other Ecclesiastical benefits within our said Province
and Territories aforesaid as often as any of them shall happen to be void.

And We do hereby give and grant unto you the said Henry Sloughter by yourself your
Captains and Commanders by you to be authorized full Power & authority to levy, arm, muster
command and employ all p''sons whatsoever residing within our said province of New York &
other the Territories under your Government, and as occasion shall serve them to transfer from
one place to another, for the Resisting and withstanding of all enemigp, Piratts @ Rebels both
at sea @ at Land, and to transport such Forces to any of our Plantations in America as

* " Governor aod Council." Commission. — Ed.

Vol. in. 79

(326 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

occasion shall require for the Defence of the same against tlie Invasion or attempts of any of
our Enemies

And them if occasion shall require to pursue @, prosecute in or out of the Limitts of our said
Province and Plantations or any of them.

And if it shall so please God them to vanquish apprehend and take and being taken either
according to the Lawes of Amies to put to death or keep and preserve a live at your
discretion

And to execute Martial Law in time of Invasion Insurrection or War and during the
continuance of the same, as <ilso upon Soldiers in Pay, and to do @ execute all and every other
thing or things which to a Captain Generall doth or ought of right to belong as fully and amply
as any our Captain Generall doth or hath usually done.

And We doe hereby give and grant unto you full Power and authority to errect raise and
build in our Province and Territories aforesaid or any of tiiem, such and so many Forts,
Platforms, Castles, Cities, Burroughs, Towns, and Fortifications as you by the advice aforesaid
shall judge necessary

And the same or any of them to Fortify and furnish with Ordnance, Amunition, and all sorts
of Arms fit and necessary for the security and Defence of our said Province

And We do hereby give and grant to you the said Henry Slaughter full Power @ authority
to erect one or more Court or Courts Admirall within our said Province and Territories for the
Hearing and determining of all INIarine and other causes and matters proper therein to be heard,
witli all reasonable and necessary Powers, Authoritys, Fees and Priviledges.

As also to exercise all powers belonging to the Place and office of Vice-Admirall of and in
all the Seas, and Coasts about your Government according to such commission. Authorities and
Instructions as you shall receive from ourself under the Seal of our Admiralty or from our
High Adm" or Commissioners for executing the office of High Adm" of our Foreign Plantations
for the time being

And forasmuch as divers meetings and disorders do happen by P''sons shipp** @ employ"^ at
sea, and to the end that such as shall be shipp*" or Iniploy** at Sea may be the better governed
and ordered. We do hereby give and grant unto you the said Henry Sloughter our Capt"
General and Governor in Chief, full Power and authority to constitute and appoint. Captains,
Masters of Ships and other commanders, and to grant unto such Captains, Masters of Ships,
and other Commanders Commissions to execute the Law Martial and to use such Proceedings
Authority Punisinn' Correction and execution upon any offender or oftenders which shall be
nnitinous, Seditious desorderly or any way unruly eitiier at Sea or during the time of their
abode or residence in any of the Ports, Harbors or Bays of our said Province or Territories,
as the cause shall be found to require according to Martiall Law, Provided that nothing herein
contained shall be construed to y' enabling you or any by your authority to hold Plea, or have
Jurisdiction of any offence, Cause, matter or thing connnilted or done upon the High Sea or
within any of the Havens Rivers or Creeks of our said Province or Territories under your
Government, by any Captain, Commander, Lieutenant, Master or other officer. Seaman, Soldier
or person whatsoever, who shall be in actual service; and pay in and on Board any of our Ships
of Warr or other vessels acting by immediate Connnission or Warrant from our Commissioners
for executing the office of our High Admiral of England under the Seal of our Admiralty or
from our High Admiral of England for the time being. But that such Capt" Commander,
Lieutenant, Master, Officer, Seaman, Soldier @ other Persons so offending, shall be left to be

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 627

proceeded ngainst and tiyed as the menit of their offences shall require, either by Commission
under our Great Seal of En.ijland as the Stat: of 2S"' of H: S. directs or by commission from
our said High Adm": according to the Act of Parliament passed in the 13"> year of the reign of
the late King Charles the Second (Entituled an Act for the establishing Articles and orders for
the regulating and better Government of his Maty* Navys, Ships War and Forces by Sea) and
not otherwise, saving only that it shall and may be lawful for you upon any such Capt" or
Commanders i-efusiug or neglecting to execute, or upon his negligent or undue execution of any
of the written orders he shall receive from you for our service and the Service of our said
Province, to suspend him the said Captain or Commander from the Exercise of his said office
of Commander @ committ him into safe custody either on Board his own ship or elsewhere,
at the discretion of you, in order to his being brought to answer for the same by commission
either under our Great Seal of England or from our said High Admirall as is before expressed.
In which case, our Will and Pleasure is, that the Captain or Commander so by you suspended
shall during such his suspension and commitment be succeeded in his said office by such
Commission or Warrant Officer of our said Ship appointed by our Commissioners for executing
the office of our High Admirall of England or by our High Admiral of England for the time
being, as by the known practice and discipline of our Navy does @ ought next to succeed him,
as in Case of Death, Sickness, or other ordinary disability hapning to the Commander of any
of our Ships & not otherwise you stands also accountable to us for the Truth and importance
of the Crimes and Misdemeanors for which you shall so proceed to the suspending of such our
said Captain or Commander.

Provided also that all such disorders and Mesdemanors committed on Shore by any Captain
Commander, Lieutenant, Master or other Officer, Seaman, Soldier or Person whatsoever
belonging to any of our Ships of War or other Vessels acting by immediate Commission or
Warrant from our Commissioners for executing the office of Our High Admirall of England
under the Seal of our Admiralty, or from our High Admiral of England for the time being, may
be tryed @ punished according to the Lawes of the Place where any such offences &
Misdemeanors shall be committed on shore notwithstanding such offender be in our actual
Service and born in our Pay on Board any such our Ships of Warr or other Vessels acting by
immediate Commission or Warrant from our Commissioners for execute the office of our High
Adm" or from our high Admiral as aforesaid so as he shall not receive any protection (for the
avoiding of Justice) for such offences connnitted on Shore, from any pretence of his being
imployed in our service at Sea.

And it is our further Will and Pleasure that all Publique monies Rais'd or to be raised within
our said Province and other the Territories under your Government be issued out by Warr' from
you by and with the advice and consent of the Councill and disposed of by you for y' support
of the Government and not otherwise

And we do hereby likewise give and grant unto you full Power and Authority by and with
the advice and consent of our said Council, to agree with the Inhabitants of our Province and
Territories aforesaid concerning such Lauds Tenements and Hereditaments as now are or
hereafter shall be in your Power to dispose of.

And them to Grant unto any Person or Persons for such Tearm and under such moderate
Quitt-Rents Services and acknowledgments to be thereupon Reserved unto us as you by and
with the advice aforesaid shall think titt.

Which said Grants are to pass and be sealed by our seal of New York and being eutred upon

628 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Record b}^ such officer or officers as you shall appoint tliereunto shall be good and effectual in
Law against Us, Our Heirs and Successors.

And we do liereby give you full power to order and appoint F.iirs, Marts & Marketts, As
also such and so many Ports Harbers, Bays, Havens, and other places for the convenience anp
security of shipping, and for the better loading and unloading of Goods and Merchandizes as
by you with the advice and consent of the said Council shall be thought^< and necessar}'. And
in them or any of them to erect nominate and appoint Custom Houses — Ware-Houses and
Officers relating thereunto and them to alter, Change, Place or displace from time to time as
with the advice aforesaid shall be thought fit And we do by these Presents, Will, Require &
command you to take all possible Care, for the discountenance of vice and encouragen)eut of
vertue and good living that by such Example the Infidels may be invited and desire to partake
of the Christian Religion

And our further Will and Pleasure is, That you shall not at any time hereafter by Colour
of any Power or Authority hereby Granted or mentioned to be granted, take upon you to give,
grant or dispose of any office or Place within our said province & Territories which now are
or shall be grant"" under the Great Seal of England, any further than you may npon the Vacancy
of any such oflice or suspension of any officer by you, put in any person to officiate in the
Intervall, untill the said Place be disposed of by us under the Great Seal of England, or that
our Directions be otherwise given therein

And we do hereby Require and Command all officers and Ministers Civill and Military and
all other Inhabitants of our said Province and y^ Territories depending thereon to be Obedient,
aiding and assisting unto you the said Henry Sloughter in the execution of this our Commission
and of the Powers and authorities therein contained. And in case of your death or absence
out of our said Province, unto such Person as shall be appointed by us to be Commander in
Chief, to whom we do therefore by these presents Give and grant all and singular the Powers
and Authorities, aforesaid, to be executed and enjoyed by him during our Pleasure or untill
your arrival witliin our said Province of New York. And if upon such death or absence, there
be no person upon the Place commissionated or appointed by Us to be Commander in Chief,
Our will and pleasure is. That the then present Council of that our Province, do take upon
them y* administration of the Government, and execute this commission and the several
Powers and Authorities herein contained, and that the first Councillor who shall be at the time
of your Death or absence residing within our Province of New York, do Preside in our said
Council with such Powers and Preheniinences as any former President hath used and enjoyed
within our said Province or any other our Plantations in America until our further Pleasure be
known, or your arrival as aforesaid

And lastly We do hereby Declare, Ordain and appoint. That you the said Henry Sloughter
shall and may hold execute and enjoy the office and Place of Captain General and GoV in
Chief in, and over our Province of New York or the Territories depending thei'eon, together
with all and singular the Powers and Autliorities hereby granted unto you, for and during our
Will and Pleasure.

Memd" The Warrant was dated the
day of and the

Great Seal the of

following

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 629

Memd" The 11th of November 1GS9 their Lodpps
desire my Lord President to la}' before His
Maty tlie Draught of the Commission
prepared for Coll: Sloughter, which being
presented the 14 of Nov. it was ordered
to pass as follows.

At the Court at Whitehall the li"- of Nov 1GS9

Present — The Kings most excellent Maty in Councill

Order for passing The Draua;ht of a Commission Presented by the Right Honble the Lords of

Coll: Sloughter-9 ° tt --i l l-

Commission. ye Committee for Trade and Plantations for constituting Henry bloughter hsq"^

Governor of New York, being this day read, His Mat'* in Council is pleased to approve thereof,
and to order, as it is hereby ordered, That the Earl of Shrewsbury one of His Mat>' principal
Secretaries of State doe prepare a Warrant for His Mnt>' Signature for passing the said
Commission under the Great Seal.

Jiepresentation of Emigyi Joost Sfol, Agent for the Committee of Safety of Keiv-Yo)-l\

[Xew-Tork Papers, B. IL 106.]

A cathalogicall Briefe information for the Right Hono""^ Lord Charles Earle of
Shrewsbury Waterford and Wexford ettc. one of the Lords of His Majesties
Most Honourable Privy Councill and principall Secretary of State as by His
Majes"'" appointed Commissioner to the examination of the affairs of New
Yorke according to the addresse of the present deputies and Militia officers
of New Yorke to Theire Majesties King William and Queen Mary, so as it
humbly was presented to His sacred Majestic on Saturday being the 9"" day
of November Anno Dni 16S9. by me Joost Stol dep: Comm"" of the present
deputies of safety and Militia officers of New Yorke aforesaid —

For the astruction of what is mentioned in the said Adresse to His Majestie> to show on the
one part, the true Loyalty of the present deputies and Militia officers of New Yorke to the
Tmperiall Crown of England, and on the other part the disloyalty oppression, cruelty, and bad
behavioure of the late Governour Sir Edmund Andrews and especially of the late Lieuftenant
Go"' Capf Nicholson and others of theire ill designed instruments, may in both sides Regu[larly]
evidently and manifestly bee scene and appeare by those following papers and documents viz :

N° 1. being a printed paper, entitled. An account of the proceeding at New Yorke 16S9.
printed at Boston by Samuel Green 16S9. containeing:

A declaration of the Inhabitants and Souldiers belonging under the severall companies of
the Trainebands of New Yorke, dated New Yorke the laste day of May 1689.

' See ante, p. 583. — Ed.

G30 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Tlie testimony of Henry Cuyler, sworne before f-^amuel Milford, Justice of the Peace in New
Yorii-e the 10"" Jay of June IGSy.

A proclamation signed by six Captaiiies anil about foure hundred men bearing date of the
3'^'' day of June 1GS9.

N° 2. Primo loco, being an affidauid in writeing of Henry Jacobson. —

N° 2. Secundo loco, being an affidavid in writeing of Albert Bosh. l)oth upon the 10"' of
June 1GS9. sworue at New Yorke before Samuel Milford, Justice of the peace. —

N° 3. A paper in writeing, bearing date of the 22"'' of the month of June 16S9. being and
order to prochaiine King William and Queen Mary.

N" 4. An affidavid in writeinge werein deponents are Peter Godfre}- and Henry Carnier
concerning the person and behaviour of the Minister Alexander Enis by outward pretence a
Protestant but in effect a meere papist, whoe deceitfully has provided him with a ertificat of
the Ministers of the Dutch and France Church as if lie was a true Protestant. —

N" 5. A bundle papers in writeing fastned with a silk ribben, mixt of red and white colour
containing 33. halfe a Cheed of paper entitled. Abstract of what is acted by the Comittee of
Safety in New Yorke anno 1689. beginning with the 27 day of June 1G89. and ended the 15
of August 1GS9 subscribed by Abraham Gouverneur, Clarke of the said Comittee.

N° (). An Inventory of the }'urt of New York as it was found wlien tlie Trainebands took

possession of it for the order out of Englaiul from theire Itoyall Highnesses, the then

Prince and Princesse of Orange now King and Queen of England, France and Ireland ettc,
upon the 31^" day of May IGSy.

N° 7. A list of the Souldiers appointed l)y the Committee of Safety to be listed under the
command of Captain Jacob Leisler to preserve and defend the Fort of New Yoi-k against all
and euery foreigne or Domesticq ennemies for the behoof of theire Maj'^ I^'i'g William and
Queen 3Iary with tiie necessary proclamation in that reguard.

N° S. An account with a solenni oath thereupon of Jolm Sipkes and Gerrard Hollaer,
bearing date of the SO"" day of the Mouth of August, before John Lawrence Justice of the
Peace at New-Yorke concerning the constitution of the gunpowder, as was found in the
Magasin of the fort of New Yorke.

N" 9. a true account of John Stoll his particular engagements and venturing his life and
fortune for theire Majesties service in taking the Fort of New Yorke and causing King William
and Queen Mary there to be proclaimed, as theire soveraigne Lord and Lady in spite of Capt°
Nicholson and his confederates all being theire Majesties adversaries and opposers.

By examination ol' all the aforementioned papers Your Lordship will see in what, a burden
of boiulago the inhabitants of New Yorke, hitherto have been, by the wicked directions of ill
governours and Ministers as Captain Nicholson and theire like persons, and how we by helpe
of Almighty God are thereof delivered, wliich liappinesse would not long continue, if so bee
they doe not beconu' a furthm- settlement in the Gouvernment, Tiierefore wee humbly pray,
and conclude and desire your Lordshippe will be pleased to take into a seriouse consideration
the present state of that countrey, the necessity of theire further settlement, and empowering
them with such means, as really may serve to the safety of that countrey under the supreme
Government of this Kingdom of England, against all theire in and outward ennemies, which
happily may bee confirmed, by obtaineing through Your Lordships favoure and juste reporte of
His Majestic to bee allowed and granted to them those following Article —

First : His Majesties apjjrohation on all that which hithertoe is done and acted, by the

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 631

present Deputies of safet}- and the Militia Officers, for theire Maj" service, as also that of him
Joost Stol in his particulars.

Secondly : that His Majestic might be pleased to grant New Yorke a Charter, in the like
manner and with same or more priviledges as the citty of Foston, being that the contents of
that Charter, doth best agree with the humour and nature of those inhabitants, and with the
constitution of the said citty —

Thirdly : That the Gouvernment of Politey and Court of Justice, Major and Sheriffs,
Alderman and Justices of the peace and Eclesiastical persons, and Gouvernment may bee so
altered and regulated with Loyall and faithfull persons fit for Gouvernment, and heartily well
affected to our souveraignes King William and Queen IMary. —

Fourthly: If so bee that perhaps a Gouvernour and a Lieut: Gov'' for New Yorke might
bee appointed before the addresse of the Deputy of Safety and the Militia officers, was
presented to His Majestie, that now before they get theire commission and before they depart
from hence, may bee reviewd and examined, by what persons or spirits they were presented,
and recommanded to the emploj' for timeh" to prevent mischiefs as otherwise by getting of
posession they might do in wrong, of his Majesties dominions and in wrong of the inhabitants
of that place by ill affections and treasonable correspondence with his Majesties ennemies, if
soe bee they w^ere not really affected for their Majesties sacred pei'sons and blessed
Gouveniement.

Fifthly: That His Majestie would bee pleased to grant a commission to the Inhabitants of
'New Yorke and all his Majesties subjects in Africa' to take Canada from the France posession,
which his Majesties subjects if they are joined at theire owne charge are able and sufficient to
Conquor, which would render to a great profit for His Majesties revenues, with little warr like
charges for England, and by conquesting Canada, the whole Bever trade should come and
[be] universally Brought to His Majesties subjects to theire great joy and prosperity —

Sixtly : That New Yorke may bee provided with a Commission, of executing power against
all Rebells, Papists, and disaffected persons, and opposers against our Souveraigne Lord and
Lady King William and Queen Mary and theire blessed Govern' to reduce them by faire and
just means, to obedience and loyallt}'.

Lastely : It is most humbly desired : ( : in consideration of the roaring state and spite of
His Majesties publicq Enneni}- the French King, whoe willinly would invade His Maj"
dominions in Africa' if they did not stand at theire Guard, and the inward disaffectionated
inhabitants, liveing in that countrey which perhaps by delay and losse of time might become
instruments to theire helpe in prejudice of his ^Majesties dominions and subjects: ) that Your
Lordship would graciously bee pleased with the most possible speed to examine the matters of
those affaires and to obtaine by Your Lordship's pow-erful favoure the like speedy manner of
His Majestie all the necessary grants, as most humbly herewithin is expressed and demanded,
with such additions and alterations as His Majestie according to His unparaleld wisdom shall
think fit and to the best of his glory and the safety and welfare of his Eoyall and faithful
subjects in New Yorke, who till this time, as poore sufferers have depend, and laid under the
cross dealings, of subverting, cruell and malicious officers and Gouvernors as Captaine Nicholson
and others ( : the Lord bee mercifull upon us : ) hitherto have been and which confirmation of
deliverance they wish to see establislied.

Therefore Your Lordship's humble Petitioner humbly begs Your Lordships favoure of a

632 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

speed}' expedition that your petitioner mny bee as soon [as] possible dispatched to returne home

witii glad tidings of His Maj''" Royall pleasure and satisfaction, and gracious grants on theire

humble aud dutiful addresse. —

And Your Lordships humble Petitioner shall ever Pray ettc.

(signed) John Stoll.

London IG NoV 16S9.

Account of Ensign StoVs Proceedings.

[Ntw-Tork Papers, B. II. 158.]

A true account of the particular proceedings, acts and venturing of life and
fortune of Joost Stoll, Lihabitant and citizen of New Yorke a Native of
Amsterdam in Holland an ensigne of a company of His Majesties
Trainebands iu the Fort of New Yorke and by the present Deputies of
Safety of New Yorcke and the Millitia Officers chosen for theire deputed
Commissioner for London, for to give a true account to theire Souveraigne
Lord and Lady William and Mary, by the grace of God, King and Queen
of England Scotland France and Ireland defenders of the faith ettc. of the *
revolution as has been there and the reducement thereof to theire said
sacred Majesties obedience, to which reducement the said Joost Stol for
theire Majesties especiall semce and the happinesse of that Country and
Inhabitants and for securing true protestant Religion and welfare, has
engaged him against all the ill designs and maginations especially of the
persons of the late Lieu' Gov"^ Capt" Nicholson a meere oppressor of that
nation and a certaine and undoubted ennemy, to theire sacred Majesties
William and Mary King and Queen of England ettc : and theire blessed
Gouvem' and against others the like instruments as behaved them as theire
adversaries —

First : I Joost Stol tooke out of every company of trainebands, three stout and of the best
and ablest persons, and tould them what certaine information I had of the blessed and happy
success of His Majestic King William and Queen Mary to the accession of the imperial crown
of England, in which they were heartily glad to hear of and thereupon wee promised one
to another to bee faithfuU and true in endevouring to bring the Gouvernment without
bloodsheding under the obedience of King William and Queen Mary.

Secondly: and for to make lawfull and orderl}^ proceedings thereunto, wee presented a
humble petition to CoUonel Bayer iu his owne hands, who gave it to the Court, containeinge
a request to fortifye the Citty and to disarme Papists, instead of acceptance thereof, they gave
us for Answer, that wee deserved, that six or seven persons of our assembly should bee hangd
for our paines, and the Captaine of the vessel that brought the news from England concerning
the changing of the Gouvernment there was by order of Capt" Nicholson turned out the doore
with hard threatnings and scholdings —

Thirdly: by which behaviour wee saw the ill intentions of those persons, and there adherents,

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 633

and therefore wee resolved for tlie behoofe of theire Majesties King William and Queen Mary
and for the securitie of the inhabitants, to make ourselfs masters of the Fort or castle which
was not in state of great defence, as wee happily did.

Fourthly : haveing the possesion of the Fort, I got a copey of the printed proclamation at
London of William and Mary being at London proclaimed, King and Queen of England ettc
which I communicated to the above mentioned choseu Cittizens and trainebands, asking them
if they were inclined, volontary to goe with mee <and to proclaime in the same manner William
and Mary King and Queen of England ettc to bee our souveraigne Lord and Lady as wee did.
Fifthly : and so upon hazard of life and fortune and through many dangers I went with them
and proclaimed the King and Queen on several places, viz : at the States Isle at the Long Isle,
at the plaine wood or forrest, and other places and comitrye towns more by which doinge wee
brought the inhabitants, there, to the obedience of the King William and Queen Mary our
blessed souveraignes.

The truth of all which heerbefore is written, I, heereunder
subscribed Joost iStol, am willing if necessity should require,
in the feare of God, to make my solemne oath upon — done in
London the 16"" of Nov"- An" IGS!).

Colonel Bayard to Captain JVlcJioht

[Ntw-York Papers, B. U. 251.]

10"> Dec-- 16S9.

Homioured Sir.

I wrote you last by Capt"* Sturman with whom I also send you a copy of my yournall till my
departure for Albany, the rest till now is herewith sent by S' Ednmnd Andros our late
Gouvemour ; by the perusall whei-eoft" your honnour will plainly see what sufferers wee have
been here since your absence, which wee were in hopes that now would have been at an end,
with the arrivall of their Majesties packetts by M"" John Riggs, but since the said Riggs sutTerd
himselfe to be overhectord by that Grand Robber Leyseler, and contrary to his promise to the
Councill gave the said Leyseler an opportunity to force the said packets from him, our conditions
are growne more desperate, the rebbels now being as proude as Lucifars, and pretending now
some glimp of Authority from Their Majesties, tho' in reality they have none, but usurp their
Majesties Authority given to themselfe and the Councell in answer to their letter sent by the
shipp Beaver in May last; Whereby Leyseler now is tituld, Lieut: Govemour and commander
in Chief by commands from their Majesties, which if the Councell might have had the honour to
receive, would have been all prevented, and would uudoubtedly have resetled the Government,
before the Gov" arrival, most of the people (except a few of his rabble:) being sencible of their
errors, are inclined to recant and submitt to the lawful authority. Which now is trampled under
foot without any hopes of retrieve before the GoV arrives. — We where exceeding glad to hear
by the said Rigs of your honours safe arrivall, which was this day confirmed by some letters
received by a vessell from England Sanmel Kally M^ tho still contradicted by Leyseler and his
rebbels who endeavour to make the people believe, that your honour never dair show his face
before the King, since they aflirme for a certaine truth that you was turned a privateer, and
Vol. III. 80

634 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

had robb'd two Boston vessells near Newfoundland — Ift' your honour has sent us any letters
by the said Kally they are undoubtedly fallen into the hands of the Philistians, who have
seized on all the letters of M'' INIayor and mine with severall others and broke them open and
soe sent them home — M'' Mayor desired mee to offer his kind service to your honour and would
have wrote himselfe but was soo indisposed that he was not able ; RP Phillipps is submitting
to all the Irregalletres imjiosed on him by the rebbels, has done us a great deal of hurt, because
those villains expected that the rest of the Councell and Magestrates ought to do the same and
be regulated by his scandulous submissions to avoid a litle trouble and charge ; I have collected
the chief occurrances since the rebellion into a brief deduction and narrative, a coppy whereof
I have now herewith sent to S"' Edmund Andros, for to be delivered by him to His Lordshipp
the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Plantations office, or to both if he thinks proper, but
hope that before the arrivall of them sufficient orders may arrive here from their Majesties for
the subduing and punishment of the chief rebels, to which end your Honnour undoubtedly has
not been wanting to use all pressing endevours, which I hope ere long to understand by the
receipt of some lines from Yourselfe, and shall in the interim with the Offers of our kind respects
and services assure You that I am — Honnoured Sir your most humble servant.

(signed). N. Bayard.

This day I heard that Henry Kuyler the Taylor that betrayed the fort was made Major of
the regiment. —

Colonel Baijard to the Earl of Shreioslury.

[New-Yurk rapors, B. II. 249.]

lO'h Dec 16S9.
May it please your Lordshipp

Some few days after I in conjunction with the rest of the members of the Councell wrote
to your Lordshipp by our Lieut: Gov'' Capt" Francis Nicholson I was forced to obscure myselfe,
which now is upwards the space of five months, and that for no other cause, or reason, but for
being zelous ( as in by duty and by oath bound ) to secure their Majesties revenue and to
maintain the Authority establishd by law for the preservation of the peace within this
province till their Majesties orders should arrive ; since that time it has more plainly appeared
mito us, that the rising and rebellion was first contrived by Jacob Leyseler and some few of
his faction, not only out of an ambition uppon hopes to be exhaulted, but more chieftl)' for to
destroy the said revenue, to the end they might in these times of trouble reipe some particular
advantage thereby; — I shall not trouble Your Lordshipp here, with any rehearsal of the
insolencies and cnormeties that have been committed. In regard 1 have collected the same in
a brief deduction and Narrative, which I have now sent for your Lordshipps perusall by the
bearer hereof. Our late Gouv"" S"' Edmund Andros — humbl}' praying that Our gracious
Souveraignes may be duely informed of our maniffold sufferings, which wee where in hopes
that would have bene at an end by the arrivall of Their Majesties orders sent by John Iliggs
as an expresse, but since the said orders were seized on by the said Leyseler before the
Councell could meete to rtn^eive them — Our conditions are growne more deplorable; —
Wiierefore our prayers shall bee that tiieir Majesties (hivernour now expected may speedily

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 635

arrive with sufficient orders i'rum their JNIajesties for the subduing of ill doers, and for the
releefe and reward of all their Majesties loyall and suffering subjects that have done their
duties, and that it may please God Almighty, to blesse our Souveraignes with a long and
victorious reigne, and Your Lord**"??' with all happiness and prosperity which are the continual
wishes and desires of your Lordshipps most humble servant.

(signed) N. Baijard.

Colonel Bayard to Sir Eihmind Amlro'i.

[Xew-Yorli, ^ B. T. ; U. S'.'i.]

New York 10 10"" 16S9.
Sir.

I hope these may find your Excell>' in good health and wel disposed in y'' departure for
England, to be released from y' most illegall confinment ; not doubting but your Exc^ will
appear there to the utter shame and confusion of all yo' rebbellious enemies. I have bene
forced uppon y' same ace' now to obscund myselfe upwards the space of five months and yet
without any hopes of releefe unles by y' arrivall of a Govern"' I shall not trouble your
Excell'' with any rehearse of the insolencies that have been committed here by that grand
rebbel Jacob Leyseler and his associatts, since I have briefly collected y^ same in a narrative
and deduction, a coppy whereof is here inclosed for yo"" Excell^ perusall, w'''', at yo"' Excell. safe
arrival in England, please to deliver to his Lordship the Secretary of State or to the Plantation
Office, where yo' Excell'' shall think most proper. I have alsoo kept a journall of all the chief
occurrences here, since our confusions, the Coppyes whereof the L' Gov"' has with him, till his
departure ; the rest, till Sturme went, I sent him by that opportunity ; and what since
happened I intend now alsoo to send by yo'' Excell. as soone as y" same can be coppyed, w"''
if not sent here inclosed, you may expect per next opportunity by way of Road Island. Wee
were in some hopes of y^ arrival of M'' Riex with y« orders or packets from their Majesties, to
have had some releefe, and to have allay'd most part of y' rebellion before a Governor arrives,
if s"* M'' Riex had been pleased to be as good as his word in delivering y" s'' packets to y*
Council as he faithfully had promised to do, tho' he has afterwards suffered himselfe to be
cajoll'd to deliver y"" to that villain Leyseler ; whereby our conditions are much worse than
before, since his rabble now cryes him out to be their Govern'' by comands from their
INIagesties; but I dont think that hee has de hart to publish them their Mag''" commands in y^
s"* packetts conteyned. I shall be glad to receive a line or two after y'' Excell : arrival into
England and hope y' yo'' Excell. will be pleased, if it lyes in yo"' Excell. power and way, to
procure any kindnesse for those that have bene (soo causeles) yo"" fellow sufferers, that yo''
Excell. will not be wanting therein. And shall in y° interim take leave with y" offres of my
humble service and harty wishes of a prosperous voyage to yo"' Excell'' and y' rest of y*
Gentlemen with him. Remaine

Yo'' Excell'"' most humble Serv'

N. Bayakd

My kind respects to M' Graham, who
I hear is still your fellow prisoner

636 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

P S. I have received some lett" from Maryland who tell me y' at S' Maris was imprison'd
twenty Trotestants iippon pretence of the Papists & traitors, and where layd in yrons and only
fed with sa])par or honny and water. Casper Hermans was entred with 14 more to he alsoo
papist and traitors ; wherefore he was uppou his departing for Barbados in private to escape
y" trouble.

Lej^sler tooke yesterday his seate in y" Gov''* pewe at Church, w'"" a large carpet before him,
and young Hendrick y' booker at Councels, in M'' Philips or y" Councels pewe. Henry Cuyler
y' betrayed y" Fort, a silly fool and coward is made Mayor of y' Regiment and Gorit y' Masan'
Capt in his roome. The roote of his Councell it said [is] one Samuel Staets, P. Lanoy, Sam
Edsals & .Jac. Milborne who is alsoo Secretary. The Committy being laid aside. I wrote to
M"" West for to have another coppy of the occurrances made if need bee.

S"' Edmund Andros Kn'

Colonel BaymxVs Narrative of Occurrences in jSfeiv - Yorl\ from A'pril to Decemher^ 1 G8 9.

[\ew-Y,)rk Piippra, LXXI.]

A Brief Deduction and Narrative of the Severall Disorders, Abuses, Enormities,
& Insolencies lately Committed by Jacob Leysei.er and severall of his
Associatts att New Yorke, since the :27"' day of Aprill A" 1GS9.

No sooner came the news at New Yorke that Boston and some of the neighbom-ing
CoUonies had by violence and force of amies subverted the Goveniement setled over them by
the authority from the Crowne of England, and had imprisoned the Governour S'' PJdmund
Andros, and other chief Ministers ; but immediately thereuppon Itt was Resolved by the
Leften' Governour fl'rancis Nicholson and the few members of the Councell left at New Yorke
for to conveaue the Mayor, Aldermen Common Councell, and all the Military Officers of the
Citty of New Yorke, to acquaint them thereof; and withall to desire them for to joyne with
the Councel in one boddy and convention, for to consult and advise from time to time what
might conduce for tlie common peace of y^ people, and the safety of the Governm'.

In pursuance to w'^'' s"* resolve the s** Convention being conveaned att the Citty Hall accepted
thereof; and since as occasion offered did frequently meete and make severall suitable
Resolves, Orders and Proclamations for the Preservation of the peace of the Inhabitants, and
the most speedy satisfying of the Citty of New Yorke, and of the ffort, against any Invasion
either of the ffrench or other fForreigne Ennemy untill due orders should arrive from the
authority of y^ Crowne of England, as by the JNIiiuites of the s"* Convention will more fully &
att large appeare.

Itt was alsoo Resolved and accordingly |)utt in practice, that in regard the flbrt was but
weakly provided of Souldiers in i)ay tliat a c()ni|)cteut number of the citty's Militia should
supply that defect, either by whole companies or lesser (UKUililies as the danger Required, att
the discretion of the Collonell of the Regiment, regulated by the Major Vote of the Captens
of the severall companies.

' CIerhit Di-vrKix(iK. New-York Documciitanj Uistorii, 8vo., U., S4S. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 637

The orders for the s'' ffortiiications where no sooner made hut w"' all possihle speed the
materialls where provided by the s"* Collonell and the Committy with him appointed, and
thereiippou w"" all vigour the worke was begun by the labour of the inhabitans and in few
dayes brought to a very great perfection ; Although verry much obstructed by the many
discords and divisions promoted by the ill contrivances of Jacob Leiseler and his associatts,
both in the convention and elsewhere, endeavouring to stirr up the minds of the people to
sedition and rebellion ag" the established Authority, and to destroy the Revenue, uppon hopes
thereby to be exalted, and reipe some particular benefitt, he the said Leiseler having a shipp
loaden with Wines in the port for which he refused to pay the customes and enticed others to
do the same.

This continues untill the ;jl"' of May when the Mabble [Rabble/] by y" instigation of y"^ s""
Jacob Leiseler and severall of his associatts, nnder y*^ command of Joost Stool being a
Sergeant, roose in actuall rebellion, and by a mad and frauticq humour (without any cause
they then coidd give) took to amies, and with force and violence entred and seized the ffort,
which was surrendered them without the least opposition by the L' Henr}^ Cuyler who was
intrusted to guard the same, whilst the L' Governour and the s'' Convention where in Councell
att the Citty Hall to settle some disorders lately haj)pened.

Collonell Bayard with severall of the Commission officers att the desire of the Convention
went up to the ffort endeavouring to putt a stop to their rebellious proceedings ; and upon
enquirj' for what reasons they had soo entred the ffort, answer was made by the s'' Joost Stoll
their Speaker (being in drinck as most of the rest alsoo where) that they disowned all the
Authoritj' of the Governement, and in particular denyed any obedience to y* lawfull
commands of their s"" Collonell: saying, wee are long enough deluded, and led by the noaze,
wee have now secured the ffort, and will have the Kayes of the ffort and of the stores alsoo ;
and told the s'' Collonell in a scornfull manner that it was best for him to depart, etz, —

Whereuppon the Collonell with the rest of the Commission Officers (except Capt. Levseler
who disobeyed the s"* CoUonell's commands) returned towards the Citty Hall, for to give the
Convention an account of what past at y* ffort. But immediatly thereuppon one Serg' William
Churcher, with a party of armed men, went up to the Citty hall, whilst the full convention
was sitting and by threatening words forced the L' Governor to deliver up the s"* kayes to
Capt. Lodewick.

The Convention considering that this currant of the people's furie was not to be stopt att
present without hazard of great Bloodshead Resolved to be passive ; only desired the Capt"'
not to head their men during this Rebellion, and Ordered that the Monny of the Revenue and
Country Tax etz. amounting to the summe of £7T3 . 12. then in Tresury at y"" fort should be
removed att y^ bowse of AP ffredrick Phillips.

The following morning being the first of June severall repenting their rash and unwarrantable
proceedings, where boyd up by strong drincke, and with many facetyes and wrong notions,
whilst all pressures where made to draws in some of the Chief and leading Men, and amongst
others for instance Albert Both^ being a Serg' and then the leader of Cap' Peyster's company
came to the Collonell and acquainted him that he knew the minds of the people, whoes desire
it was that the Collonell would take their parts against the L' Governor, assuring him that they
would save him harmlesse with their lives and estates ; that he should regaine thereby the sole
command and be as great as ever, but if refused that his leggs should not carry him long from
the place ;

g38 NEW-VORK COLONIAL MANUSCKIPTS.

But Jacob Leyseler and his associatts seing that none did approve of his rebellious
proceedings only a few hot headed and nieane sort of people, and that hardly a man of repute
or sence was seene amongst them, neitlier than any of the Authority or Magestracy of the
Civill Governm' nor any of the rest of the Commission Officers did acquies or concurre therein,
but had absolutely protested against the same; and for feare tiiat their hot headed men would
recant and leave them in the lurch, the s'' Jacob Leyseler and his associatts took in hand their
former practice, to invent lyes and falcetyes, noising abroad that all those that would not be
of his rebellious faction where ill aft'ected men and persons not to be trusted, tliat the L*
Governor and all the Members of the Councell where papists, that they were roages and
traitors who intended to secure the Governm* for the late King James, whoose wicked
Creatures and Pensionaries they where, that they liad defrauded the Citty and Government of
itts Revenue, with a multitude of such and the like falceties, which they too blazed abroad by
verball words, and pamphlets in wi'iting, throughout the Citty and Governm' that some of the
ignorant and innocent sort of people where deluded, infested and poisoned thereby'.

And to the end this Rebellion still might not lye only at the y'' door of the s"" Leyseler and
a few of his associatts, butt to encrease the number of their faction ; he the s** Leyseler lirst
noysed in his owne company, then being on the guard in the tlbrt, that (since the Protestant
Religion and the safety of the Governm* was in eminent danger) he would have all the
Inhabitants to meete, and to signe and prevente the same and therefore would have all the
Militia in the ftbrt, and gave warning accordingly over niglit to several) of his faction in the
other companies, together with a signe when they should all come into the flbrt att the tirst
allarm, intising them not to obey tlieir Commission Officers, if any should hinder them to marcli
into the ftbrt, at the signe given.

Whereuppon lie the s** Leyseler on the S"* day of June made a falls allarm to liave all the
Militia in Armes, w""'" accordingly was effected, butt as soone itt was discovered only to be a
falce allarm and a contrivance of the s** Leyseler, orders where given by the CoUonel to the
severall Captens not to march to the usuall place of Parade before the ttbrt, who alsoo gave
their commands accordingly, but where disobeyed by the instigation of severall of s'' Leyseler's
faction who where instructed in every company and pressed iirst to appeare in the s"* place of
Paraade before the ftbrt, and when alsoo the like commands where given there to the severall
companies for to move from thence, the s'' connnands where, by the pressures of the s"* Jacob
Leyseler, Joost Stoll, W"" Cliurcher and severall of their associatts, in contempt of the authorit)-,
not only disobeyed, but openly contradicled, uutill an absolute Muteny and uproare was
occasioned in w''' most part of tiie souldiers left their coullers, Captens and Commission officers
and fled to the fl'ort, for what reason most could not tell, unlesse to follow the greatest number.

Att the s'' Souldiers coumiing to the librt great signes of Joy where given by Shouts and
Hozars, where they found a paper prepared by the s"* Leyseler for to be signed unto by the
Souldiers, tending for to approve of their rebellious proceedings, only guilded with a speciall
pretence, that the same was for the preservation of the protestant Religion, and of the ftbrt and
Citty, till orders should arrive from his Royall Highnesse the Prince of Orange, truely a fair
pretence to laise a Rebellion, falce alarme, muteny, and uproare in which severall of the
Magistracy and Counnission officers, besides many others of their Majesties loyall subjects
where exposed to the uttermost danger of their lives, and undoubtedly no lesse thing was
intended, for it's evedent that the s'' Leyseler since has boasted that he had charged all the great
gunns & small armes in y' flbrt, on purpose to fire upon the Towne unlesse they had come iu

LONDON DOCUMENTS : IV. 639

otherwise, and that it had been good some liad been slayne in that furie for itt would not be at
quiet before five or six were despatched, etz.

Notwithstanding all these contrivances itt could onlj- delude and ensnare a parcel of ignorant
and innocent people, almost none but of the Dutch Nation, the tenth man not knowing wiiat he
had signed, a notion being put in many of there heads that by a Voate of Parliament, all
Chartres and Priviledges where to be restored to all places of the Dominions, and they be put in
the same state as they were in the year 1G60. And by consequence this Governm' to be restored
to the Dutch, and therefore no orders from the authority or Crowne of England, but only from
his Royall Highnesse the Prince of Orange would serve their termes, as their printed
Proclamation likewise intimates.

But to bring in alsoo some men of note & repute for to signe, severall Messengers where sent
to some of the Captens, with horrible threateuings that night to plunder all their bowses,
except they came in the flbrt and signed alsoo to s"* Leyseler's dictated Proclamation,
in soo much that the said Captens at last went to the ftbrt, intending to passify the mad and
violent temper of the s** Leyseler and his associatts, but where forced to signe unlesse they
would run the hazard of being killed as threateuings where made.

In all this time no cause or reason could be given for any of the s** irregular proceedings only
some days after a pamphlet was published but not affixed, or no Copp}^ allowed to be had,
intituled, A Declaration of the Inhabitants and Souldiers belonging under the
SEVERALL COMPANIES OF THE Traine Bands OF New Yorke, whicli said Declaration
severall weekes after came out in print antidated the 31"' day of 3Iay, and found to be grounded
on a Deposition which Hendrick Cuyler sevei-all dayes after should give and sweare unto, which
s"* Deposition and Declaration in themselves most nonsensicall and rediculous being cramd up
with severall contradictions and falceties must needs expose all concerned therein to be rash and
foolish medlers w"* that \v'^ did not concerne them.

For tho it may be true (as is alledged) that severall Irregallities have been committed in the
Ciovernm' of Govern'' Dongan whereby none have suffered more than those that where forced
nolens volens to serve in severall offices of great trouble and charge w'''' often occasioned
private complaints and dissatisfactions, yett none ever openly appeared that could be able to
give any remedie or releife therein, not being states men enough, or learned in the Law sufficient
for to cavill therewith or hinder the same, wherefore all resolved to be passive and obedient to
that established authority.

But that the L' Govern'' Nicholson (as is falsly alledged) or any of the Councel or IMagestracy
where any wicked Creatures or Pensionaries of the late Govern'' Dongan, is a most notorious
and malicious falshood, since they have sufficiently manifested in all their actions & proceedings
their uttermost zeal for the Protestant cause and their loyalty for the safety of the Governm'
under y* present authority of y^ Crowne of England.

And for the second part of their s"* pamphlet or Declaration, alledging that tiiey were cajolled
and terrified out of their reason may be true enough, since their actions and proceedings are
more becoming such then otherwise, but only occasioned by their owne i'alse notions & feares.
But that the Lieu' Governour ever made any infringement on their Libertyes, Properties, or
Laws (as is alledged) is utterly denyed, and will be found to be a falce and mallicious aspersion,
Wherefore all the authority and Magestracy must do the L' Gov'' that common justice, and
certify that ever since the power of Governm' by the disabling of S"' Ednumd Andros devolved
into his hands nothing was acted in the affaires of the Government, but wliat was concluded

640 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and agreed unto by the generall convention of tlie Councell, Mayor, Aldermen, Common
Council and all the Military officers of the Citty New Yorke, to and with the advize of all the
Justices of the Peace and the severall Captens of the adjacent places within the Governm' as
the Minutts of the Councell and Convention will sufficiently make appear.

And relating the alledged threatiiings of y*" s*" L' Gov'' (which are utterly denyed by him)
tho' tenne dayes after y' date of their said pamphlet sworne to by Hendrick Kuyler before a
person not duly qualified ; The first part thereof is disowned by the Corporall and Interpreter
himselfe, and for the other part that the L' Goveru" had said only to him y^ said Kuyler, that
he was not sure of bis life, nor to walke the streetes, because there where soo many Roagues
in the Towne, and that therefore before it should go longer after that manner he would sett
the Towne in fire, to w"^'" the L' Gov'' denyed the latter words, to sett the Town in fire, to be
spoken Butt affirmed that the words where, that before he should live longer after that
manner, he would rather see their Towne burnt or simck ; and why or for what reason the
words of s"* Kuyler (whoos weaknesse in the English language is evident to all, and owned by
himselfe, and who is of that timerous temper y' he often is troubled in his miud with most
strange imaginations) should be of any more credit then the words of the L' Govern'^ will by
no man of sence, to whom the persons, parts and conversations of both are kuowiie, be thought
reasonable.

And concerning their last pretended reasons alledging, that for feare to be lyable to answer
for the life of every protestant that might have perished, and every howse burnt or destroyed
etz. and alsoo seeing daily arrive from severall parts Officers and Souldiers who were
entertained by the L' Gov'' in the ffbrt besides his severall souldiers of W^^ there was a number
of Papists, contrary to the Law of England by w^^ new commers, some of the Burgers being
threatned of some designe against them iii few dayes, etz. Truely if no antidote had been
taken by them against shame and blushing itt was impossible those falceties could be asserted
with any the least confidence for their s"* pretended ieare is altogether an invented falshood in
regard no such thing as the losse of any protestant, or burning of any howse was in the least
danger, Yett for want of some plausible cause these words were taken out of His Royall
Higimesse The Prince of Orange's third Declaration in England, whereby no subjects where
encouraged to any such Rebellion ag' the authority by Law established, but that the Justices
of the peace and others in authority should not be cnj oiled or terrified from doing their duty
as the Law directs.

And tho it be true that from Boston arrived in all seven souldiers of the L' GoV' Company
disbanded there without pay, seeking a passage by our shipps for England, who were alsoo
entertayned in the ffiirt by the L' Govern'' because they should not lye and perish in the
streetes being without Money or credit; But it's alsoo true tiiat when the L' Govern'' was
informed of s** Leyseler and his associatts jealousies he thereuppon desired in the Convention
that s'* men might be provided of lodgings in the Towne, he allowing them Provisions 'till
their departure, which was to be in some few days. And the Collonell was thereuppon desired
to appoint their Quarters accordingly ; As for the officers of the Garrisons, two of them that
is to say Capt Baxter at Albany, and Ensigne Russel at the ffi)rt in New Yorke, where known
to be Roman Catholicx, for w"^ reason alsoo the L' Gov"" & Councel, to avoid all jealousies,
sent them both not only out of the guarrisons, but even out of the Province ; And relating
the Souldiers that where in the flbrt, being about 22 men, of which it is alledged there where a
number of papists contrary to the law of England, this number will be found to be one or two
old kripples, that had served in that guarrison as private souldiers, whereof the one was a

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 641

Sergeant, twenty yeares & upwards, butt Iiy what Law of P^ngland these must he cast out to
perish, unlesse maintained by the Parrish will hardly he found in the Register; And lastly as
tor the thretnings of one of tlie new commers, that matter had been under the examination
and found to be a meere trifle and mistake, was accordingly dismist. Now that all these false
Notions and feares raised & occasioned only by the malice & ambition of a few hot headed
men, should be of that import, vallidity & consequence for any subject, without the least
Comission or authority, to subvert and unhinge their Mayesties sole GoA'ernm' by Law
established, will now be thought reasonable, unlesse by such as for their owne ambition mallice
and particular ends expect to reipe some benefitt thereby.

For w"^"" reason, and no other, the s'' Le3'seler and those of his faction have subverted their
Mayesties s"* Governm' and introduced an arbitrary Power, rueliug absolute by the sword
which they exercized for severall weekes blindfolding the ignorant and innocent people with
that speciall and guilded pretence, the same to be for their Mayesties service and for the
safety of the Governm' and of the Protestant Religion, tho none was in any danger, but secure
under an established government ; with further exclamations against the Authorit}', that iu
regard the late King James was departed out of the Kingdom that therefore all the
Commissions of the Authority and Mayestracy where utterly void, and that those in power
where creatures and Pensionaries of the late King, who had created themselves, and for those
reasons not to be trusted nor obeyed. Whereby the s"' Leyseler and those of this faction
assumed the absolute power in an arbitrarie manner, to hector and domineere over the lives,
liberties and properties of the people, dayly committing all manner of enormities and
iusolencies whatsoever.

The civill authority and Magestracy of the Governm' and Citty perceiving the eminent
danger & possibility of stopping the furie & currant of the rebellion resolved to be passive,
and continued soo until! the 22''' of June, wlien Information was given that Maj-or Gold and
Capt. fitz where come with orders for to proclaime their IMay"" Wherefore the ALiyor,
Aldermen & Common Councill endeavoured to procure the s"* orders & proclamations to the
end they might enjoy that happines and honour to proclaime their s** Mayesties as in duty
the}' thought to be obliged; but it being denyed them that Ceremouy was observed (tho verry
disorderly) b}' the s"* Leyseler & his associatts ; Yett by what order or authority unknowne.

And tho' their s'' Mayes''" where thus disorderly proclaimed yett no care was taken for the
safety and securit}^ of the subject, to publish their Mayesties gracious proclamation of the 14""
of ffeb^ last confirming all Protestant Sheriffs, Justices of y" peace Collectors and receivers of
the Revenue etz. Wherefore the s'' Maj'or, Aldermen and Common Councel, with much
difficulty having procured the s'' proclamation made publication thereof.

And in regard the Collecf Matthew Plowman being a Roman Catholicq was exempted by
llie s"" proclamation for to continue in that office, the Councel (who were intrusted to secure
their May"''* Revenue) imediatly thereuppon suspended the said Plowman from officiating any
longer, and on the following day by and with the advice of the Mayor, Aldermen and Common
Councell made a Resolve for the securing of the s"" Revenue, and did appoint, commissionate,
and accordingly sweare four Commissioners, viz' Coll Nicholas Bayard one of the Councell,
M"" Paullus Richard, one of the Aldermen and Justice of the peace, M"" John Haynes &
M"' Thomas Wenham, Marchants, for to collect and secure the s'' Revenue, w"'out any fee or
sallary for themselves, untill the arrival of orders from s** May*^", and made publication thereof
by affixing their s'' Resolve at the usuall place before the Custom howse doore ; In pursuance

Vol. in. SI

642 - NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

to w''"' said resolve, and by vertue of that Power and autliority, the s'' Commissioners did meete
that afternoone at the Custom house in order to settle the aftiiires of the s* Customs &
Revenue : But the said Commissioners where suddanly obstructed and stop* in y'' prosecution
of their s^ duty, by Jacob Leyseler, Joost Stoll and some of their associatts, who with a party
of armed souldiers entred the Custom iiowse with most horrible thretuings and exclamations
against the s"* Comissioners, and the authority that established them, that they where all
Roagues, Rascalls, Villans & Divells, that had created themselves, and stood up for the late
King James etz : with many other filthy aspei'sions, as p' the Journall of the CoUonell Bayard
may more at large appeare ; And altho the s** Comissioners moderatiy answered that the s**
Leyseler was imder a mistake and did alsoo convince him thereof; Yett since the s''
Comissioners perceived that not their May"" Authority and Lawes, but y' the sword now
ruled, they offei-ed to be passive and depart the Custom howse, if he the s* Leyseler would
only command the same : Yett notwithstanding he the s"* Leyseler, Joost Stoll and some of
their associatts not only aiming for to destroy the s*" Revenue but alsoo to niassakre some of
the Comission" and especially tlie Collonell, whom they suspected to be the most forward and
zelous for the securing of the s'* Revenue, and had often thwarted & crost their irregular
Proceedings. Wherefore all pressures where made, by the s"^ Leyseler, to exasperate his
drunken crue for to massakre the s"* Collonell, and severall more of their May"" loyall subjects,
causing forthwith an allarme & uproare to be raised throughout the Citty, Crying out Treason,
Treason, w"' the like exasperating expressions and tho the s"^ Coll by providence was rescued
from their bloody designes, Yett a strict search and enquiry was made for severall dayes, w^ith
severe and horril)le thretuings to cut him and others in peeces, with severall other barbarous
expressions ; Li soo much that the s** Collonell, and many of the Magestrates, gentry, chief
Marchants, and Cittizens where forced to obscund themselves, but especially the s** Coll: who
by tiie advice of the Councel and Magestracy retired for safety to Albany, where he was
forced to continue for the space of severall months, in regard the s"* thretuings where still
continued to be executed against him by the s*" Leyseler and his associatts; and no protextion
of their Mayt'" Laws could be obtained, since the s** Leyseler now ruled absolute by y' sword
as afores"* Whereof the following Articles may serve as an Abriviatt, viz'.

Lnprimis by raiseing of nionnyes contrary to Law from their May''" leige people, even
before the subverting of the Governm' thretning to punish and plague all tliose that would not
suffize tiie greedy temper of him y' s"* Leyseler & his associatts.

Item by endeavouring to raise discords, divisions, and Jelausies within the Citty and
Governm' attempting to delude and entice even the Collonell himselfe, and severall of the
Inhabitants, to sedition against tlie Authority lawfully established, even before the subverting
of the Governm'.

Item by betraying and detaining of tlie ilbrt and without any cause or commission
dispossessing the L' Govern"' thereof.

Item l)y rilling the publicq stores, & plundering tlie magesius of the Government.

Item by disbanding the established Guaerison without pay, and inticing the Souldiers to rob
and plunder the Mayor Cortlant for their pay, if by them denyed with ])romise of assistance
out of the ffort if they wanted the same.

Item by seizing and detaining of the Treasury in the 0()rt to the suunne of .£773: 12: —
being part of the Revenue, and part of the country tax etz. and refused the same to be secured,
according to the order & direction of the Convention.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 643

Item in disobeying and contradicting the lawful commands of their Military Commission
offices, and in particular those of their Collonell.

Item by pillageing, robbing & plundering their May"" leige people, uppon pretences of
strayuing without any Comission or Authority, and often without any Warrant, or Constable
authorized thereunto.

Item by forcing of their Maj"" leige people both strangers & cittizens, at their will to be
compelled before them by force of armes, and to be examined upon Interrogatives.

Item by forcing the Letters from & to forreigne & domesticq parts, to be delivered unto their
hands, which they at discretion broke open and published y^ same before some of their
souldiers.

Item by assaulting, battering, wounding and thretening to massakre severall of their May""
leige people, and especially the high Sheriff' of the Citty and County, who they alsoo forcebly
disarmed taking awaj- & detayuing of his sword.

Item by resisting the established authority, affirming and devulging among the ignorant
people that no Commission of the Civill Government or Mayestracy was of any force or
vertue and therefore not to be obeyed ; rescuing by force the prisoners legally committed, and
further most barbarously thretning that tho he the s"" Leyseler did see the Mayor and all tlie
Mayestrates massakred before the fort, he would not send one man out to hinder it.

Item by destroying of their May"*'* Revenue by force of armes obstructing the collecting of
the Customes etz. lawfully established, and by violence resisting the officers of the Custonies
from doing their duty, rescuing severall goods of the s"* Leyseler & others, lawfully seized and
intising others to do the same.

Item by endeavouring for to massakre, in and about their May"" Custome house and in
severall other places, the Commissioners of y* Customes, with severall more of their May""
leige people. Causing severall falce allarms & uproars to be raised thorrowout y* Citty, and
intising their mad and dronken soldiers to all manner of Insolensyes, in soo much that severall
of the Chief Authority & Mayestracy and many of the Chief Marchauts & Cittizens, where
severall times forced for safety to obscund themselves and depart the citty.

Item by subverting the fondamental Laws of the Govemm' introducing without an)'-
Commission or Authority an Illegall arbitrary Power ruling by the sword, in soo much that
none of their May"" leige people where any wise safe either in person or Estate.

Att this deplorable conjuncture the s'^ Leyseler and his associatts haveing in this manner
subdued (as much in them lay) all the authority and Magestracy of the Goveram' destroyed
the revenue, and raised an absolute rebellion. Yett did not stop there, but in contempt of
their Mayesties authority soo lately proclaimed and in particular and expresse opposition ag='
their May"" s"* proclamation of the 14"' of ffeh. last, proceeded further for to moddel and
fraanie a new sort of an arbitrary power and Government, and by the Votes of a few of their
faction in a riotous manner made a choice and election of some few ill affected and factious
men, for to be their Representatives & Govemours, under the Titull, Stile & Denomination
of A Committee of Safety, a power and authority never suffered or exercised in any of the
reigns of their May"" most glorious ancestors, unles in times of rebellion ; W^"" said pretended
committy together with the s"* Leyseler and some of his associatts, ever since the SS"" day of
June, have usurped and exercized all manner of Jurisdiction and Government, even over the
lives, liberties, properties Lawes & Religion of their May"" liege people, dayly committing
by themselves and their Officers and Souldiers all manner of enormities, abuses & Insolensies ;

544 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and the most of their Counsells and Proceedings have been kept private and secret 3^ett the
following Instances can att present witness several! of their said enormities & abuses, viz'

Inpriinis the said pretended Connnitty of Safety and some of their faction liave usurped
the absokite Power, Jurisdiction & Authority over their Mayesties loyall subjects and
prescribed them rules and ordinances.

Item they have usurped the Power to coiiiand and dispose of the Melitia in New Yorke and
elsewhere within the Governni' and have appointed them Commission Ofticers, such as would
aid, assist or submit to their irregular & rebellious proceedings & have endeavoured to
suppresse & dismisse all others legally authorized.

Item they have endeavoured a generall Rebellion throughout y^ whole Governm' against
the Authority lawfully established ; even after the publication of their May''" proclamation
confirming the same.

Item they have taken uppon them to raise and settle a new guarrison in pay, and
comissionated them officers within their May''*'^ ftbrt James in New Yorke appointing Jacob
Leyseler to be their Cap' Generall, who thretned, unless they had made him soo, he would
have departed y^ place in one of his vessells and turned privatering.

Item they have endeavoured for to cajoll and terrify the Mayestrates & officers established
by Law from the due executing of their duty, and in particular thretning the Aldermen &
Justices of the peace, if they presumed to oHiciate in their stations and in holding the Courts
that they should be drag'd from the Citty hall, and be put in danger of being murthered.

Item they have alsoo by violence seized and broke open scverall letters of their Mayesties
subjects both of publicq & private import.

Item they have felloniously broke open their Mayes''"* Tresury left in the fort w"^"" was
order'd to be preserv'd till the arrivall of their Mayes'"^' Goveniour and have forcebly seized
and taken away considerable summes of money therein conteined & converted them to their
particular or unwarrantable uses.

Item they have without any Couller of Comission or Authority raised from their May"" leige
people several! summes of money att the Custome house & elsewhere repugnant to the Laws
of the Kingdom & Governm'

Item they have further destroyed their May''" Revenue of the Governm' suffering those of
their faction to run and defraud tiie Customes & Excize by Law establislied ; And although
some of their frauds where discovered they forcebly obstructed the officers to make seizure
thereof, rescuing them by force, and resisting them to make any search for the discovery of
any furtiier frauds.

Item they have not only destroyed y*" Revenue in manner afores"" but have alsoo suffered
and encouraged the Importation of severall contraband Goods & Marchandizes in open
contempt of the severall acts of Trade & Navigation, and have advanced the Malefactor to be
one of their Chief Councel.

Item they have falsly imprisoned one of tiieir >[ay"" Justices of the peace and Commander
of the Troops in New Yorke, with severall otiieis of their Mayes"" loyall subjects both
Cittizens and Strangers, detayning them in prison during will & pleasure, without any
Commission, without Examination, without mittimus, without being charged with anv thing
to w"^"" by the law they might make answer. Repugnant to the great Charter, Repugnant to
the Petition of right. Repugnant to y" act for the better securing the liberty of the subject,
and indeed repugnant to all laws both huniau and divine.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VI. 645

Item they have in a most unlawful manner combined and forced an undue election of new
Aldermen & otlier Elective otHcers of the Citty, and have thereby, illegallj- (without being
duely sworne) installed severall mallicious, seuseles, unfitt and meane persons, and some of
very ill lives and conversation, in no smal disgrace of the Government tending onlj' (as is
supposed) to have a number that will blindfolded approve of their irregular and unwarrantable
proceedings.

Item they have not stopt only in violating of the freedom and liberty of the ffreeholders &
Cittizens, but have alsoo presumed to violate the supreame prerogative of their s"* Mayes"" bj''
isuing out their Warrants for an illegall Election of a Mayor, Sherif & Clarke, which by the
Charter in expresse words is a prerogative reserved to their s"^ Mayesties or the Leftenn'
Govern'' for the time being, and since none but about. 70 or SO ill affected persons at the time
of election mett that would be accessary in the violating of s"* prerogative the s** election was
most disorderly effected, who made choice of Peter De La Noy one of the pretended Committy
of Safety, who had the confidence to accept thereof by a Comission of their great Ring Leader
Jacob Leyselei'.

Item they have alsoo in violation of the s"* Prerogative and in Contempt of tiieir May''"
gracious proclamation of the 14"' of febr^ last (confirming all Justices of y'' peace being
Protestants) usurped the power to install severall Justices of the Peace, and to dismisse the
old ones, tho protestants & persons of honnour & credit, and in like manner they have alsoo
acted with severall of the Chief Military Officers.

Item they have exercized their Jurisdiction not only in the Civill & jMillitary, but alsoo in
the Ecclesiasticq affaires prescribing to the severall cliurches rules & ordinances and enjoyned
them by threatenings to be obedient thereunto.

These and many other of the like Enormeties & Molences were dayly committed. But in
regard they had now at their connnand a pick't number of Aldermen, with a crue of mallicious
Inferior officers, under an illegal head or pretended Mayor, uppon hopes to couller their
Irregallities with some face of law. A Resolve was made now to secure, plague & imprison
the Mayor Cortlant and to that purpose a party of armed men where sent out of the ftbrt,
who by force entred the s"" Mayor's bowse makeing a strict search for his person with severall
horrible thretnings, grossly abusing, assaulting & battring M" Mayres in her owne howse: in
soo much that the Mayor on the day of Octob'" for safety & preservation of his life was

forced to make his escape and depart privatly out of the Citty.

Coll. Bayard (as being the Chief Ey sore of the s"" Leyseler & his faction) continued all this
time at Albany, wayting only for the happy arrivall of their Mayesties Govern''. Wherefore
severall threatnings where made by the s*" Leyseler & his crue forcebly to fetch the s"" Collonel
w"" severall of the Chief Magestrates & officers from Albany, and by sending of severall of
his Creatures and seditious letters made all pressures & endeavors to desquiet and unhinge
all manner of Governm' in that County of Albany and in the County of Ulster, insinuating
and intising the ignorant & meane people of those Counties to the like sedition and rebellion
against the established authority. But was (during y= s** Coil's aboade there) prevented by
the Watchfull endevors of the Authority and chief Inhabitants of the s'' Counties, which alsoo
quietted the five Cantons Indian Nations who being entred into a Warre against Canida by
any such Revolution would undoubtedly have bene verry much disturbed (Juiveing their Chief
Dependancy uppon the present Authority there) if not soly recanted to accept of the great
offers of the ftrench to the uttermost ruyne of all their May''" Collonies on this continent.
But in regard of the approaching winter and otlier pressing occurrances the s** Coll. Bayard

646 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

was necessitated to return from Albany to New Yorke, where he arrived on y^ 29"" of October,
and at his landing being abont two houres before day he received Informations of the
Violencies soo lately committed ag"' M'' Mayor, as alsoo that tlie s'' Leyseler had made severall
thretnings against some of the chief Inhabitants and especially against the Coll. and his son,
that he wished they had bene destroyed and massakred in his former furies and false allarmes;
he the s"* CoUonell resolved thereuppon to make his further escape ; moreover whilst he the
s** Leyseler and those of his faction immediately thereuppon used all endeavours to secure his
person by sending severall parties to tlie vessel and throughout the Citty and elsewhere,
entring by force of amies and makeing a strict search into the bowse of the s"" Cc5llonell and
alsoo in that of JVP Mayor, and of the Minister Dom Selyns' with 14 or 15 of the Chief howses
in the Citty, crying out that they would have the s"" CoUonell tho' they should fetch him from
the Gates of Hell, and to have their pleasure with him with severall of the like exasperating
expressions. Wherefore the s"* Coll. further resolved to obscunde himselfe till releefe from
England.

Some few dayes after the Coil's retume from Albany, a party of about GO anned men under
the Command of Jacob Milborn, where sent up to Albany l)y the s"* Leyseler and his associatts
under a faire pretence of assisting that County ag-' any incursions from Canida, but as it
afterwards appeared only contrived for to unhinge all manner of Governm' there, and to inthrall
that County, and the County of Ulstor, with the like tiranny & slavery, equall w"" some parts
of the County of New Yorke, King's County, Queen's County and the Counties of Berge and
Weschester most part of whose Inhabitants are concerned in the Rebellion (whilst all the rest
of this Province and New Yarsie still do maintaine their established Authority and abhor the
s"* Leyseler's rebellious proceedings) Hbr soo it is, that the s"* Jacob Milborn at his arivall at
Albany endeavored imedeatly to raise all the people into a Rebellion against the authority,
whoose Commissions, he declared, where utterly void &of no eflect, since they were graunted
under that unlawfull King James (altho' the s"* authority had newly sworne faith & allegiance
to their now May"" King W" and Queen Mary, and where confirmed by their s** May"*"'
gracious proclamation of the li"" of fi'eb. last) and did further send his seditious letters to tiie
severall Townes of the s* County inviting the people to meet him in the Citty of Albany for
to receive their Rights Priviledges and Liberties as by his s"* letters more fully appeares, a
coppy whereof Translated is here inserted and is as followetli, viz'

Whereas I am authorized by the hoiinrable the Lords of the Committy, or the members elected by a
free and open vote of the freemen, in the respective Counties of ye Province of New Yorke and their
Councel of Warre for to order & settle the affaires of the Citty & County of Albany agreahle to the

' Reverend nESUiinjs Selyns was ordained at Amsterdam minister of tlie congregation of Breuckelen, Long Island, on the
IGtli of February, 1060, as appears by the Letters of Ordination in Albany Records, VIIL, 277. He was inducted on the 3d
September following, and continued to officiate at that place, and at the Governor's Bowery in the city of New-York, until
1664, when he returned to Holland. Such was the high estimation in which he was held, that when a vacancy occurred in the
church of New-York, in 1672, by the death of tlie Reverend Mr. Drisius, a call was forwarded to Mr. Selyns, Avliieh, however,
he declined. When a vacancy again occurred by the death of the Reverend Wilhelmus Nicuwcuhuysen, a second invitation
was forwarded to him. Anno Domini 1682, which he accepted. 2 Collections New -York llistm-ical Society, L, 390. He was
opposed, it would ajijiear, to Leisler, by whom, it is said, "he was most grossly abused in the church, and threatened to be
silenced." New -York Documentary JJistory, 8vo., IL, 431. He continued, however, pastor of the Reformed Dutcli Church at
New-York until his death in 17ul. He was married twice; on the 25th July, 1662, to Machtelina Specht of Utrecht; hia
second wife was JuflVou Margaret de Riemer, widow of tho Honorable Cornelis Stoenwyck. Mr. Selyns sustained a high
character as an able and faithful minister, and was distinguished for his literary aciiuiroments. A Latin poem of his will be
found prefixed to Cotton Mather's Magnolia Christi Americana. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 647

Constitutions of the rest of the Counties belonging to the sd Province as the same may be done to the
Intrest of His Majesty or Sovereign Lord and King William and the Welfare of the Inhabitants of ye
sd County.

These are to desire and warne all the Inhabitants of Kinderhock and places adjacent that they do
forthwith repaire themselves to the Citty of Albany for to receive their rights Priviledges & Liberties in
such a manner as if ye Raigne of King James ye second had never bene nor any of his arbitrary
Commissions, nor what his Governrs illegally have done had never past.

Signed, Jacob Mildorn.

Uppon receipt of these and other the like seditious letters from those of his faction the
Country people for a great part flockt to him in the Citty hall, where he made them a long
speech, and enticed them to a new Election of Magestrates & officers, which being prevented
by the endeavours of the authority, he the s"^ Milborn presumed further in a hostile manner to
attempt the invading of their May''" ftbrt then under the command of the MaA'or of Albany,
marching with his men in arms up to the ffort, demanding the surrender thereof into his hands
from the s** Mayor ; But was shamefully defeated and luirried not onl}- from the s** ftbrt, but
even out of y* s"* Citty of Albany iu soo much that he was forced to leave there all, or most
part, of his men.

Yett after his departure from Albany he ventured to appeare in y'' County of Ulster, to try
wether his Cargo of Priviledges and Liberties might be in better request with the Country
people of that County, but they being informed of the s"* Milborn's defeat at Albany dispatched
him alsoo from thence for to give an account of his misfortune to his Comander Leyseler &
y* Committy that sent him.

Coll. Bayard (who had bene forced to obscund himselfe from his habitation at New Yorke
upwards the space of foure months to escape the danger of being massakred) received
Intelligence that his only son was in a dying Condition, after an extream sickness of about 3
months past, sent thereupon a letter to y" Justices of y" Peace in New Yorke, desiring the
protextion of their May"" Lawes and Governm' ag^' the s"* Leyseler, offering to give in security,
to what vallue they pleased to appoint, for to answer the law to anj' complaint or accusation
that could be alledged ag" him. But received only for answer tho' they knew of no crime or
accusation that could be laid to his charge, yett since the sword now ruled in their Citty, they
where obstructed in the executing of their Commissions, and could not give him any releefe
ag^' the s"* Leyseler therein.

Whereuppon the s"* Coll : sent his warrant to Capt. Ahram De Peyster, and Capt. Jn° De
Bruyn, renewing his former Commands unto them, to beare good faith & allegeance to o""
Soveraigne Lord and Lady King William and Queen Marj^, and to be obedient to the lawful
Commands of the Civill Authority within the s'' Citty and in particular to those of the Justices
of the Peace, and to desist from councelling, abetting, or assisting the illegall and unwarrantable
proceedings of the s** Leyseler and his associatts, as they would answer the contrary att their
perrills ; which s** warrant the s'' Capt' saw cawse to send up to the s"* Leyseler, who thereuppon
caused all those of his faction outt of the Citty and County of New Yorke, King's County, &
Bergen County to appeare at the ffbrt with their amies, where he blazed amongst them his
old newes, that the Lieu' Govern'' Nicholson, that Popish dogg, was turned a Privateer, and
would never show his face in England, etz. And that he had discovered a plott, in which
Bayard with about 300 men would attempt to retake y* ffbrt for the late King James, and that
a great party of lathers, and other materialls where alreddy prepared etz. Whereby he

G48 • NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

perswaded the Countr}^ people by turnes to watch in the fort besides some of the Cittizens, and
caused them to make a new subscription, in substance for to be true & flaitlifuU to King W""
and Queen Maiy and to he obedient to tlu^ Comuiitt)- of Safety as the Suprciini authority, and
him the s"" Leyseler as tlieir Commander in Chief, wliicli if any person did but scrupple to
signe such were horribly tliretned, and cryed out for King James' creatures and soo turned
out of the fort, a notion l)eing put into tlie ignorant peoples lieads, tiuit a great number of
subscriptions would endiice a Govern'' at his arrivall to give them better articles & Priviledges,
yea sonie of the worser sort had the confidence to vapor, that if a new Govern'' would not
approve of their actions, or should not behave himselfe as he ought to y' minds of y' people,
they knew now the way how to lay the Govern'' aside and to send them from whence they
came, or words to that effect.

Itt was alsoo further attempted to find out and secure ISP Mayor Cortlant, but chiefly the
said Collonel to w*^*" end severall parties of armed men where sent out with boats for New
Yarsey and elsewhere to make search for them, but returned without finding any of them.

Capt: De Peyster ami bis Left' as it seemes having dissuaded some of their souldiers to
watch in the ffort \\here thretned by their men to be turned out, who had already made a
new choise of Marten Clocq Cooper for Cap', and Lsaaccj Arrentlen Shoemaker for Left' in
like manner as the other Companies of Cap' Minvielle, Cap' Leyseler, Cap' Lodwick «fc Cap'
Stuyfesant had done by the Committees & Leyselers commands.

In this confusion was the Governm' inthraled without any hopes of re-settlem' unlesse
by the arrival of their May''" orders ; When M'' John Riggs as an Expresse from their
May''" arrived here on the S"" of this instant month of Decend)'' with two packetts directed as
folio weth. To our Trusty and well Beloved Francis Nicholson Esq^' o'" L* Govern'' ^' Comander in
Chi(f of o'' Province of New Yorkc in. America, or in his absence to si(ch as for y" time being take care
for y" iweservutidu (f ihe piuce, Sf tiiljiiui/s/riii'i- /he Lawes in o'' s'' province if New Yurke in America,
w"^'' said two packetts the said Jn° Riggs declared that he should deliver to their May""*
Councel as soone the Members thereof, that where absent & fled, could be sent for out of y''
Country (it being undoubtedly an answer from their Mayesties uppon the letters & complaints
of the s"* L' Govern"' & Councel sent by him the s** Riggs in May last p'' y" shipp Beaver) But
before the s"* Councel could meete, the said Jn° Riggs was comanded to the fort and forced to
deliver the s'' Packetts to Jacob Leyseler as by his Certificate will appeare ; whereby the s"*
Leyseler since has taken uppon him the titull of L' Govern'' and Comander in Chief of the
Province of New Yorke, by their May''"'" Commands, tho' no such command appeares, nor as
yet no proclamation thereof being made according to custome, it being now the IS"" of
December and five days after the arrivall of the s*" packetts, when this Narrative of the Chief
Occurrances since the beginning of the Rebellion to this date, was sent for England to his
Lordship the Secretary of Staate and the Secretary of the Plantations by one of their May""
most loyall tho sufi'ering subjects.

N. Bayard

New Yorke

13 Xber 1689.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. 649

Certificate of Mes-s-rs: Fhjpse and Van CorthiiuU.

[New-York, 11. 330.]

These are to certify that upon Muuday the nyneth day of this instant month of December
M'' John Riggs being arrived here with His Maj'^* packetts directed to Cap' Nicholson their
Mnj"'"» Lien' Governo'' for their Province of New York, and in his absence to such as for the
time being administred the laws and preserved the peace within tlie said Province, Cap' Jacob
Leisler (who had usurped the Government into his hands by the Rabble of the s"* Province
and taken the Fort into his possession by force from their ]Maj''" said Lieu' Governo"' Francis
Nicholson, & deterred the King's Couucell and Magistrates from executeing their severall
duties in their respective offices) sent one of his p''tended Lieu'^ and two Sergeants for the
said Riggs, who calling upon us whose names are hereunto subscribed, desireing that we
would attend him to the said Leisler, and accordingly went with him, and when we came
before the said Leisler, he peremptorilj' demanded the s^ packetts, altho' we demanded the
same, being of the King's Councell and of right belonging to us in the absence of the said
liieu' Governo'' and deputed by him to preserve the peace during his absence and untill his
Maj'^" pleasure should be knowne therein ; the said Leisler told the said Riggs that we had
nothing to do in the s"" government that we were Papists, and the packetts belonged and were
directed to him, and thereupon commanded and took the said packett out of the said Riggs
his hands, bidding us to depart the said Fort having nothing to doe therewith, and used many
opprobrious words to both of us. Wittnesse our hands att New York the thirteenth day of
December 1G89 and in the first year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord & Lady William
and Mary by the Grace of God over England &" King and Queene.

(signed) Fkedkyck Flyp&e

Witnesse. Tho: Newton. S. v. Cortlandt.

Mr. Van CuiiJamU to Governor Andros'.

[Nc-w-York rapers, 15. II. 332.]

New York 19'" Dec™ 1689.
May it please your Excellency.

My last was with M"' Rigs (: since which time I have not been very well:) in which I gave
your Excell: an ace' off' what happened liere ; since that time an order is come out of the Fort
that all those that are indebted for customes and other Revenue, are forthwith to pay unto
Peter Delanoy what they owe, and all those that now have got goods out oti' England, are first
lo pay the costumes before they can have their goods. I shall at this time not be able to give
your Excell: a particular ace' ort" what I have disbursed towards the reparations off the Fort
here and att Albany, for severall materialls. Iron works. Glasses, fire wood, candells, thick
plancks for platlformes and materials, slippers and other wood, workmanship ettc. all which
added together will amount to a considerable summe, and shall as soon as possible I can send
into your Excell : att Boston or otherwise into England all the particulars thereoff. I have
Vol. in. 82

G50 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

victualled the garrisons, here and att Albany from August 16SS, to the 17. of June 16S9. and a
Garrison att Albany goes on still, I doe not doubt but your Excell: will ai-cording to your
wonted goodnesse and kindnesse always showen to mee, continue your favors to inee altiiough
so farr from mee, and remember mee in England by M'' Blathwayte that I might get here the
Collectors place or at least that commission off auditor with a certaine sallary may bee
confirmed unto mee, which will tlie more oblige mee towards your Excell: — I thinck the letter
of Atturney which your Excell: sent me formerly is in forse still, but if it ought to be renewed,
please to order it as your Excellency shall judge fitt and necessary, as alsoo about the lot of
ground which Your Excell: bought of Peter Schaeffbanck for it pays every yeare something for
taxation, what Your Excell: shall be pleased to order in this and all other concernes shall bee
punctually observed. And if it should happen, that this should be the laste that will come to
Your Excell: hands in America, I and my wife pray God i'or your health, happinesse and
prosperity, and wish your Excell: a good safe and happy voyage, and that your Excell: may
concor the Ennemies and show for all the world iiow unjustly, unlawfully, without reason or
cause. Your Excell: has suffered for the good intention and endevour your Excell: hath done
for those that so wrongfully have rewarded you for it. — But I do not doubt but God will guide
you by Sea and Land and blesse yon in your voyage, which is the hearty prayers oft" your
Excellency most humble servant.

(signed ). ' R. Cortlandt.

J'ttt)' licrerdyc to the TH-slioj-) of ImiuJou.

[NfW-Yi)rk Papers, B. II. :U2.]

30 Decenib"^ IGS9 from the downs.
My Lord.

The two ministers Mr. Ware and Mr. Boiceau have been heer a great while waiting fin- a
convoy for Virginia — heer are some now dutch and English bound for the Canary's — we doe
intend God willing to take the uportunite — (The French for certain have a designe upon New
York) if Your Lordship would be pleased to procure the Kings letter to Cap' Jacob Leysler
now Gover"' there, untill the Kings Gov'' doth come to order him to secure all them tiiat are
against this King, and to incoredge him and the Councill to secure the place untill Col: Slawter
Cometh, it would be very necessary: there 200 French f\imilies about New York which will be
])utt to the torture if the french takes itt. They came out of Caroline S' Christophes and
London. I hope your Honour will commisserate our condition my familly being one of them,
and if the Kings letter be tow long to procure Coll : Slawters letter may doe much good, if
sent to nu> abord the W'" & .Mary .lohn lirowne Com'' riding in the Downes, to the first place
I shall land in \irgiiiia, I shall with all dilligencc take horse to carry such an order. Coll:
Slawter will not be rady before Aprill altiiough his appointment is the 10"" of March, what
mischief is intendet, will then be done, I pray My lord in continuing tlu^ charitable acts, take
this into consideration — If our ship should be gon from the downs the conuoyes will take
more shijips att I'limouth, the letter may be ordered att the post house to be brought on board

' S. V. (VuiTLANIlT. l''r>.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VI. G51

of our ship — Wisliiiig health prosjierite niul all hai)|>hK'Sst' tliat this world can afford and
felicite in the world to come to your Lordslup, I reuiaine Your Honours most faithful servant

(signed 1'. Reverdge^

I hope j-our honour will be pleased to remember tiie busines of our Minister Mon' Daillu^
when the (Jovernour cometh.

Petition of Mcrcliant-'i ti'udiiuj to Ktw-Yorl'..

[New-York I'ap.rs, Eook U. SII7-30SI.]

To the King Most Excellent Majesty

The humble petition of several Merchants and adventures tradeing to and
interested in the province of New York and the adjacent Colony s and
Islands in America.

Shewttii

That your Pet" do with all humility and thankfulness acknowledge your Majesties care for
the preservation of those Colonys, and more particularly in appointing Coll Slater Governor of
New York, whose integrity courage and conduct render him worthy of your Majesty's choice
and so important a trust — But because the bravest designes are often dissapointed for want of
sufficient means, your Pet", out of their zeal to your ]Majes'>'' service and from their knowledge
of the present posture of tiiose Countries, have presumed to consider of the most effectual
method to defend them against those inveterate enuemyes to your Ma'^'' person and dominions
the Frencli, and conceive that unlesse a considerable number of men with arms and ammunition
proportionable, and some ships of warr are employed in this expedition, not only the said
places will be in danger to be lost but Barbados, Jamaica, and all the other Leeward Islands,
that now receive the greatest part of their provisions from those Colonys will not be able to
subsist as the reasons annext will demonstrate.

All which Your Pet" humbly represent to Your Majesty in hopes that your Majesty will not
only pardon this presumption in your Petitioners occasioned by their zeal to jour Ma'^' Honour

' Peter Revekdy. lie was a French protestant, and is mentioned in " The Revolution in New-England Jastijted," p. 41,
(republished in Force's Historical Tracts, IV.,) as having been the author of Memoirs concerning Sir Edmund Andros. — Eu.

" Reverend Peter DjUlle was one of the earliest ministers connected with the French protestants of the city of New-York.
He incurred Leisler's displeasure in 1690, and bad subsequently some difference with his congregation (New -York Documentary
History, 8vo., II., 432; III., 678, 1167), which caused him to remove to Boston where he is mentioned in 1696, as having
charge of a society of French refugees. Mather's Magnalia, 27. He continued pastor of that church until his deatli, which
occurred in 1715, in the 67th year of his age. He and his wife, who preceded him by nine years, were interred in the
Granary burying ground, Boston. He was a person of great piety and cliurity ; of affable and courteous behavior, and of :in
e.\cmplary life and conversation. He was much lamented, especially by his flock. 3 Massachusetts Historical Society's
Collections, II., 62. — Ed.

652

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and interest, but will take them into your princely consideration and make such determination
therein as to your Ma'>' great wisdome shall seem meet.

And your Pet" as in duty bound shall ever pray ettc.

[1689.]

John Herbert,

W" H CoRNELISEN

Ralph Lodwick
Jacob Harwood,
Tho' Lodwick
Tho» Cox
Ja' Wasse

John Bovle

Dan Coxe

Gerard von Heyshuysen

John Jackson

Thos: Glover

Benj: dejeune

Francis Tierene

( signed )

High'' jMeriwether
John Corbett
Sam' WicKiNS
B Williams
Edw"* Hull
Daniel Ingole
W" Antelby

A true Copy

Rub Colinge

liea-son-9 in siif>poii of tlte preceding Petition.

Reasons humbly presented to inforce the Petition of the Merchants and
Adventurers to and in New York and the Colonyes adjacent.

l'^'. That the French in Canada having intermarried with the native Indians of that place
are grown very strong, and by their priests and otlier Methods, have corrupted many of tlie
five nations of warlike Indians, and seduced them from their obedience to the Englisli Govern'
which encouraged the French lately in the time of peace to invade the English territorys
there, and by consequence will make them do so much more. —

2. That the French liave already taken away a great part of our Bever trade, which is tlie
only profitable trade of those parts, and if they debauch the five nations of Indians from ns,
as the want of a sufficient force to protect them, will readily tempt tliem to, the whole Bever
trade will be lost, and the province of New York not able to subsist, but in a short time fall
into the hands of the French.

3. That New York is the center of all the English plantations in North America and if lost,
it will become a nest of French pirates and Virginia and Mariland must be ruined whereby a
large breach' of the Kings revenue will be cut of.

4. The Colonies of New England East and West Jersey and Pensilvania will by degrees
fall into the French hands, and then Jamaica Barbados, and all the other Leeward Islands,
(which before Ireland was destroyed were supplyed with above four thousand tunns of
provision every year from these places, and now are supplyed chieftly from thence) must
starve and another vast branch of tlie publick revenue lost to the Crown.

For prevention of these miscliicf's it is humljly i)rf)posed.

]. That a platform he ])uilt at Sandy Hooke or saudy Bay in East Jersey at the entrance

Qu'( branoh. — Ei>.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. Or^i

into Hudson's River from the sea which h^es so conveniently scituated bv reason of the great
setled sandbanks there that no ship can pass up into Hudson's river but within muskett shott,
as will appear by the niapp, which said platform will require twelve gunns and eighty men
with arms and ammunition proportionable.

2. That the Fort of New York be sufficiently repaired and fortified with suitable outworks
as it was formerly, or otherwise as shall be found most convenient, and that fifty gimns may
be allowed to the said fort and outworks, and that two hundred men be kept in that fort in
time of warr, and one hundred and twenty men be constantly kept there in time of peace ;
the Town of New York as liable to be attacked by land as by sea. —

3'^. That the Fort at Albany which is the mart of the Bever trade be repaired and new
fortified, and that six new gunns be added to the 14 gunns that are there already, and eighty
men constantly kept there.

4"'. That a new fort be built at Schenectida which lyes twenty miles above Albany and is
the utmost English settlement towards the Indians and French, and that fourteen gunns and
sixty men be placed there.

5"". That a new fort be built upon the lake Cajudaraka' at Oniagra, Wyachtauack or such
other place there, as upon the perusall of Coll : Dungans mapp shall be thought fitt, It being
a pass of the importance that the Indians trading to Albania must come by it and whosoever
is master of that pass will be master of the bever trade, and this fort have twenty gunns and
one hundred men constantly kept in it.

G"". That four hundred Carabines with Belts, Sadies, Holsters, and Pistolls be sent over to
equip the Militia horse of New York and Long Island and one thousand small fire arms with
Bandeleers and ammunition proportionable for foot. They paying to the King the value of the
horse equipage and the Governour imdertaking to returue this equypage to the King, or to
account to the King for the value of it.

7. That the Governour of New Yorke have power to issue out commissions for raising
volunteers in New England upon any exigency.

S"". That two fifth rate man of warr may be appointed to cruise upon the coasts as the
Goveniour shall see occasion both for the defence of those Colonys and for conveying the
vessells trading thither and carrying provisions to Barbados, Jamaica and the other Leward
Islands

IJeiitenant Governor Leider to the King.

[ Ncw-Tork Papers, B. II. 430. ]

7th January 16xo
May it please your most Excellent Maj''^

By former opportunities, and more particuliarly p'' Ensigne Stoll, we humbly presented our
addresse, and an account of the State of this j'our Maj"" province untill the 20"" day of August
1CS9 since which what hath passed is transmitted to the Right Rev'' Father in God Gilbert lord
Bishop of Sarum, as likewise the notice of the happy arrival of your Majesties and the Lords

' Pro Cuilanuiiii, oi- Oiitariti. — Ei>.

654 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

of Councill letters and orthers therein of tlie 29. & SO"" of July last directed to Franc-is
Nicolson esq: Lieut: Gov'' and Commander in cliiefe of the province of New York and in his
absence to such as for the time being take care for preserving the peace and adminstring the
Laws in the s'' province ; wiiich came to us by M"" Riggs, the said Nicolson being in England as
we are enformed and Capt" Jacob Leisler being appointed by the comitte chosen by the people
commander in ciiief for the time being, did accordingly receive the same ( : although two of S''
Edmund Andros' councell pretended thereunto :) to the great satisfaction of the generality of
Your Maj''""* liege subjects in the Govern' : Proceeding to a second proclamation of your Majes"
with due solemnity and the suitable ceremonyes according to our capacityes, hoping that the
orders therein contained will be sincerely and faithfully obeyed to the utmost of our duty and
abilityes, having already by God's grace soe secured your Maj''" Interest, that wee feare not
our adversaries, although their numbers are considerable, not doubting through divine assistance
butt so to settle the civill and military power for the peace of this province, that it maybe
qualified for receiving Your Maj"" further order whensoever they shall arrive us ; Assuring
your AL'ijestie that to tlie ntniost of our power wee will sacrifice our lives and what else is
deare unto us for securing 3'our Majes"" interest, our Religion and lawes, imploring your
Majesties gracious acceptance of what we have done and prostrate in all humility at your Royall
feete subscribing ourselves — Most dread soveraigne

Your Majesties,
dutiful and obedient subjects —
(signed): Jacob Leislek Lieut.GoV

and in the name of the Councill.

LicutencDit Governor Leldcr and Co-uncil to ilie Bt'slio]} of SaliAury,

[ New-York rapers, B. 11. 200. ]

7"" January 16S9 Fort William in New York
May it please Your Lordship.

According to our bounden duty and as we were capacitated, did most humbly present our
addresses to their most E.xcellent Majesties with a letter from the Commander in chief, as also
some particulars of our undertakings and how far we had proceeded in delivering and reforming
this miserable province from the direful! state it was inthralled through the arbitrary and illegal
Conunissions granted by the late King James unto his Lieu' or Governors, Namely Colonel
Thomas Dongan a profest Papist, whose councill consisting of seven, himselfe with any five
thereof had the Legislative power to make and disanull Laws and did levy money — yea very
considerable sums upon the Kings subjects: Which said couunission being superceded by a
later from the said King cuipowering S' Edmund Andros to joyn this Colony with more
adjacent places, to New England (: tliough bought of the Duke of Yorke with conditions to be
distinct from tiie rest: ) and tliat a Councill 30 odd in number being nominated, seven thereof
with the said Governour had the legislative power to act as aforesaid taking remarkable eftect
as is humbly presented to Your Lordshi[)p's view p"' paper N° 1. INIaking choice and alluring
by benefitts of most of the priucipall persons amongst us, who fearing the then Regall terror

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 655

and embracing the present temptations became evill instruments and fiercly devoted to great
prejudice of his present Majesties interest and our tranquility, which hath too much prevailed
and obtained upon many honest and well minded people even to this dajs a tast of which is
humbly offered your Lordshipps p"' paper N" 2 relating the behaviour of Coll. Bayard.

That our adversaryes should not overpower us by their crafty devices, wee caused writts to
issue forth for free elections by the People for civil and Military Officers with a fomiall paper for
the said Electors to subscribe N° 3, which tooke Effect, the major part signing notwithstanding
all diligence and endevours by King James's party, were used to the contrary, upon return e
whereof the Justices and other Officers were de novo establisht to great regret of the former
and Associates, who are encouraged by the correspondence continued between S'' Edmund
Andros's party at Boston, and them, which can not be yet prevented, although some persons
have been detected, and pacquetts intercepted ; It would he too troublesome to enumerate the
pernicious and inhumane practices of S"" Andros, but cannot omitt his base undertaking with
the Infidels as p'' the paper N° 4. may be seen, who substituted an instrument like hiraselfe one
Francis Nicolson Lieu' Cover'' in his absence who together with ISP Innis the pretended
protestant Minister and their accomplices sent to England a formal submission to their Majesties
Government notwithstanding which in their Assembly they did continue praying for the Prince
of Wales, and that Cod would give K. James victory over his Ennemies having discovered
their inclinations by sundry expressions and actings as in some part may appeare to Your
Lordshipp. p'' the paper N° 5 & G. disdaining in the most contemptuos manner his H" :i''
declaration.

Albany and some part of Ulster County have chiefly withstood us, being influenced by Coll:
Bayard and M"' Steph: Van Cortlandt (: the later was Mayor the last year of this Citty :) who at
the celebrating of the Prince of Wales's birth, sacrificed his hat, peruke ettc. although professing
the Reformed Religion, both which to avoid the indignation of the Citizens escaped to Albany
aforesaid inciting them to their perseverance under S"" Edmund Andros Commissions, assuring
his continuation which suiting their circumstances (having invaded the Kings, as well as other
mens lands ettc:) wrought accordingly: — Soon after, the French with considerable numbers of
their Allyed Indians alarmed them by threatning to attack Albany aforesaid which awakened
the neigbours of New England and upon their notice wee sent 50 men with amies and powder
ettc wdiat could be spared under the direction of a person acquainted with the place and people
in liopes upon such an occassion to have found them of more suitable disposition, to embrace
proposals for their peace and securing His Majesties County, which were readily embraced by
the Generality of the Citizens and Planters, saving such who stiled themselves a convention,
who resolved to persist in their former practices — But SO men from New England aforesaid
and the rest well affected to keep the place in such a good posture that whenever the Ennemy
approacheth (by Gods assistance) we have reason to beleive they can not hurt us being at least
COO men and a fort conveniently placed of 14. gunns to add to our defence.

Things arriving to this head Colonel Thomas Dongan the former Gov^ being at his farnie on
long Island gave great encouragements to the former Civill and 3Iilitary Officers by holding
Caballs at his bowse and other places adjacent to make an attempt upon this fort of New "iork;
Wee being timely advertised, did consult the best method for securing that post, and disappomt
them, which concluded by joyning in a firm association, and is hundjly Offered your Lordshipp
by N" 7. Copyes of which being sent to the other Countyes, so netled the Conspirators, that

656 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

they used all possible arts to prevent signing, but wrought not with that force as was intended,
although it lessened our number, but obtained the Major part by whonie we do not in the least
doubt our security — Though many resort to our Neigbours of East Jersey and Pensilvania
being many Quakers in these parts, who (: without abusing them:) encourage if not out do the
Komau Catholiques and most of our Calamities and divisions are truly indebted to them,
covering their pernicious practices by their blind scruples, and impudent interpretations,
depending still upon and asserting M'' Pen to be a person of undoubted sincerity : in the mean
time they advance the Interest of K. James and say that all commissions are good to this day
Colonel Townly with others committing riot upon our Justices bordering next to them, owning
none save King James, openly drinking his health ettc which we hope in due time to
subdue.

And thus R' Rev'' Lord stood things till Dec"' 9"'. His Majesties letters arrived in which are
N" 8., some of S'' Edmund Andros councill attending — The Messenger (: although tiie Capt"
Nicolson was gone:) expected their names might be inserted, and therby to chalenge them,
which was prevented by the Commander in chief Jacob Leisler p"' paper N" 9. so elected and
the next day their Majesties a second time were proclaimed (Scotland being formerly omitted:)
in due forme, solemnity and extent of our ceremonies to the great satisfaction of the people:
A councill forthwith were chosen out of such who had faithfully served K. William's interest
and endevoured to preserve the peace of the province, securing His Majesties revenue
(: according to Act of assembly :) by two orders jN" 10. which were abused by pamphletts A'" 11
and others tearing and defacing the same : one of which actore is taken, and by his example
the rest are suppressed. The next step was to settle the Magistracy and appoint Com" of
Judicature in the respective counties according to our Laws, and proceeded to establish the
Militia in all which endifferent success attends us, not questioning to settle all things in
reasonable method considering our circumstances, so that Majes*'" fort and this City with other
parts of the province may be supported, and contingent expences may be defrayed out of
revenue, which we are resolved to collect (though we are sensible of great opposicon :)
according to His Majestys requirements, and as our duty enjoyes us — When S"' Edmund
Andros was here with Seer''' Randolph, most of the Records, Bookes, papers, and scale which
belonged to this province were transmitted to Boston, Whereby we are incapacitated to
present your Lordship with such a state of things as becomes the case, and our duty, having
adventured to make a new scale for the province, altering the Duke of York's coronet, and
placing the Crowne of England in its stead. JNothing can abate our service, except the want
of 2-5 Canon of 24"" Calaber, firelock musketts, Pistolls, Bandeliers ISO"" powder, match,
Handgranadoes, Bayonetts, Crowfeet &"^ with 40"' weight of muskett bullets in case the French
visit us in the spring which might be expected, and hope his Majesties will ati'ord the same p"'
some small vessel!, forthwith untill further resolutions are taken concerning us as to his princely
wisdome shall seeme meet.

R' Reverend Lord.

Since the foregoing (: by slopping a letter carrier hound lor boston who look in Adversary's
packett at Coll: Morris his bowse who is a (juaker at convenient distance from New York :
the said Morris hath entertained and countenauc'd that parly with great encouragements ever
since these Revolucions:) have obtained severall Icllcrs under A" 12. whereby Your Lordshijip
may perceive the horrible devices they can invent, as is jiarlicularly expressed in Coll: Bayard

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 657

letter to John West' of a plot to Massacre them on New Years day, which should be told him
by Van Cortlands wife who he terms tlie Mayoresse, whereupon we found out said Bayard and
seized him, but on notice thereof, said Cortlandt and his wife fled, whither not yet knowne with
other particulars wickedly suggested and his reflections on those of Boston in despight of His
Majesties Royall approbation of what they have done with purport to blacken us at home, but
when he came before us would not owne any of his writings which wee can sufficiently prove
upon him — The other person most dangerous was W™ Nicolls whose letters are under tlie
same N" 12.^ the one taken with the carrier, the other found in his pocket, the first directed to
Farwell a notorious criminall at Boston, the other, threatens, Pistolling, poysonning, ponyarding
ette the posterity of the Commander Leisler who likewise would not owne any of said papers
although taken under such evident circumstances, both which persons wee doubt not but to
condignly punish: The other letter was written by said Coll: Bayard and indited for Major
Brockholes a profest Papist and hath been of Coll: Dongans and S"' Edmund Andros's councill
whereby your Lordship may perceive what correspondence there is yet betweene them, and
many others by virtue of their former commissions ride armed in an hostill manner encouraging
the people to rebellion, whome wee doubt not but in short time to surpresse, having had such
good successe in this City that most of the suspected are fled into the next colony amongst the
Quakers; what their further proceedings will be time will teach — Trusting in God and our
Loyall forces to quash all their attempts, nor doubting but such persons who have been the
instruments of our miseryes and oppressions shall be prevented from obtaining places againe
whereby they may be impower'd to revenge themselves (: as the said Bayard by his letter:) is
in expectation —

The Expectation wee have of His Majesties gracious acceptance of what according to our duty
and capacityes wee have done already and shall proceed in, through Your Lordship's assistance
under God being our sole dependence, wee doubt not but to acquitt ourselves as becometh
true Christians, Loyall subjects and faithful to His Majesties interest, the peace and tranquility
of this province — praying for Your Lordship's long life and everlasting happynesse, subscribe

Rigiit Reverend Lord
Your LordP^ most obedient servants

and suppl'* in behalfe of the rest,
(signed). Jacob Leisler

P-- D: La Mov^
Johannes Bermege*
Benjamin Blagge
Samuel Plaats*

Jacob Milborne Seer'-"

' See post p. 661. John West was appointed by GoTernor Andi-os, Secretarj to the Province, Clerk to the Court of
Assizes, and Clerk to the City of New-York, on October 6, 1680. Commissions, Orders, d-c, 1680-1682, p. 6. He was
superseded by John Spragg, as Provincial Secretary, in August, 1683, soon after which, the Court of Assizes was abolishoil ;
but he retained the office of Town Clerk. On the 25th of October, 1684, he married Anne, daughter of Thomas Rudyard,
Lieutenant Governor of NewJersey. See License in A'eio-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXIV. On the return of liis
patron, Andros, to power. Wist accompanied him to Boston, and farmed from Randolph his office of Secretary, in wliidi
capacity he "extorted what fees he pleased to the great oppression of the people." He aided thus in rendering tlie
government odious (Hutchinson's Massachusetts, L, 358, 359, 372) ; and when Andros was overthrown. West was also seized
and thrown into the castle at Boston. Bi/field's Account of the late Revolution in New-England, 4. Many particulars of the
charges against him are given in The Revolution in New England Justified. (Force's Historical Tracts, IV.) Whether he
accompanied Andros to England or not, we cannot say. His wife survived him, as appears by note, ante p. 351. — En.

' See post p. 662. ' Nov. * Vehjieue. " St.vats. — Ed.

Vol. m. 83

658 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Colonel BayanVrS Order to Captains De Peyster and De Bruijn.

I New-York Papers, B. II. 254. ]

To Cap" Abram de Peyster and Capt" John de Bruyii Commanders of two respective
companies of the train Bauds in New York to be connnuuicated to the rest of the
Commission Officers. ,

Gentlemen !

Whereas Jacob Leyseler and some of his associates have in a most hostile and illegal
manner, invaded their Majesties fort at New York, and withall unhinged and subverted all
manners of Government by law Established within the Citty of New York and some parts
adjacent, not having the least shaddow of authority from our Gracious Soveraignes King
William and Queen Mary soe to doe ; I therefore concidering the obligation lying upon mee
by the severall commissions, as being one of the counciil of this their Majesties dominion, and
Collonel of the Regiment of the train Bands in New York both from the Crowne of England,
neither of which (notwithstanding the said invasion insurrection or otiier troubles): was any
wayes vacated or superceeded, I find it to bee my pi'esent duty to the Crowne of England, and
do hereby strictly require and command you and each of you, that you uppon Imediat sight
hereof desist from any wayes councelling aiding assisting or abetting the illegall proceedings of
the said Jacob Leyseler and his associates; and not to suffer any of the soulders under your
connnand to be made use of or employed uppon any service whatsoever of the said Leyseler
either in the said fort or elce where as being most pernicious, dangerous, and contrary to the
peace of our Soveraigne Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary their crown and
dignity — but that you come and each of you together with the Souldiers under your command
(:as in duty bound:) do give all obedience to the lawful! commands of the civill Cover'
established by law and in particular to those of the Justices of the peace commissionated by
the Governour S'' Edmund Andros, by vertue of letters pattent from the Crown of England as
being our suprame power which said comnussioners I find and do averre to be in full force ;
notwithstanding the Imprisonment ( : yea death :) of any Governour that granted the same, he
being only an inferior officer of the Crowne and the Commissions being maters of record ; and
therefore you shall ftiithfully performe their said lawfull commands as feare it shall bee in the
power soo to doe, and at all times bear good faith and allegiance to their saci-ed Majesties as
you will answer tlie contrary at your perills — Given under my hand and seale att Albany this
SO"" of October in the first year of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lord and Lady King William
and Queen Mary A. D" 1689.

N Bayard.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 659

AfuhivUs (vvcerniiig tlie agreement of Andro'^ with the Indian-'^.

[ New- York Tapers, B. II 26i ]

Deposition of Bai'ent Witt.

U"- August 1GS9.
I Iiave understand by a sacliim Indian of Weskeskek called Wessecanovv, about five weeks
past, that Governour Andros last yeare when he was in the Government of New Yorke did
promise him a brib of twelf pounds to be ready with a Company of Indians so many as he
could get at Manhatans Island in the month of April then said Andros should come with five
hundred men to attack the place or citty of New York and then the Indian did give him the
said Andros a belt of Wampum and the said Andros did olfer the said Indian the twelf pound
promised but the Indian did refuse to receive it till the thing should be eifected upon which the
one did give to the other their hands as a signe to Joyne together in the designe to be
executed — I declare also that at Weskeskek upon the land of M'' Fredrik philips where I live
several canows with strangers being P^rench, came from Albany who brought severall newes
from Canada and that some ships were arrived there as they aftirme and doe goe to New York
and returne back again. I declare also that two Indian Squas did say to nie when the Indians
where mighty high in tlieir actions that the Indians had a designe of warr against the English
which I acquainted to M"' Fredrick Phillips who laught at ittakeing no notice thereof and saith
it was foolish to be aftraid and I declare that my wife did say she was threatened she would
be the first which sliould be burnt in case the French should take the place because she was a
protestant. the premisses — I Barrent Witt am ready to declare upon oath.
Sworne before me. Beeckjian Justice

Deposition of Thomas Mollenax.

I underwritten Thomas IMoUenax Inhabitant of West Chester old Sixty years and upward
doe declare that an Indian Sachim of Weskeskek called Wessecanow did say and boast, that he
had received from S"" Edmund Andros as by his demonstration I could perceive, about fourteen
pounds value in bits and Wanipvmie, to be in readiness at Manathans Island, about the time
that the corne was to be planted which is about Aprill to observe the Commands of said S"'
Edmund Andros and to be at his service with his men as witnesse my hand in New York the

14. day of August 1GS9.

Tho: Mollenax.
Sworne before me — Beeckmax Justice.

Deposition of Richard Shute.

I underwritten Richard Shute of East Chester old about sixty seven yeares doe declare that

an Indian Sachim called Wessecanow, did sa)^ that S' Edmund did promise or give to liira a

considerable sum of Wampume and belts to destroy the Christians utterly, as by his speech

and three notions witli his armes and bands exprest, which he seriously declared, without to be

required or desired thereunto in the presence of me and my wife being past as he declared of

Coll: Marris his house, as witnesse my hand the 14"' of August 1GS9. — the premisses past tenn

weekes agoe or thereabouts.

Richard Shute

Sworne before me Beeckman Justice.

6G0 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Affidavit of Andi'ies Greveraet and George Brewerton.

[ Ncw-Tork Papers, B. II. 2Sf,.]

The depositions of Andries Greveraet aged tliirty years and George Brewerton
aged twenty four j'ears or thereabouts, make oatli upon the holy EvangeHsls
and say : —

That on the S"" day of Febniary 16Sf the said Greveraet arrived at New York from Virginia
with his vessell, <and fortliwith addressed himself to Francis Nicholson then Lieu' Cover'' to pay
respects according to custome, who asked him what news was in Virginia to which the said
Graveraet replied, that possibly his honour might have the same here, who said that he lieard
that King James had undoubted news of the invasion by Holland and not else, Whereupon
said Greveraet told Iiim that the news in Virginia was that the Prince of Orange was landed
with an Army at Torhay in England : the said Nicholson in a great passion replyed : Damme
you what do you say : the deponent repeated the same he had said before: Then he asked
him, the said Greveraet where the King was, who answered that he heard he was at Salisbury
plaine, he then said there was hurrying place enough for him and his people with him, saying,
liath he not had an example of Monmouth, I cannot believe it, if it is so the very prentice
boyes of London will drive him out againe — forbidding the said Grevereat strictly to divulge
the same to any one — About G or 7 dayes afterwards the news came by way of Maryland to
Cap' Leisler of New York, and the said Nicholson sent the deponent George Brewerton (being
his clerk:) to said Greveraet severall times to give what he had declared in writing, at last he
went with the said George Brewerton to the Fort, coming into the Lieu' Governours chamber
where he wovdd force him the Greveraet to give what he had formerly declared under his hand
and scale with all its particulars which he scrupled, but said if he would examine him before
his councill he would declare all he could remember, on which lie swore bitterly threatning to
run him through, being much altered in his countenance, snatching up a booke (not knowing
what it was as the deponents conceive:) and swore that he would cut off the deponents ears
(viz' the said Graveraet's:) if he should hear that he had declared to any one otherwise than
the said news, but at present would be quiet and ordered said Brewerton to write it in order
to send it to S' Edmund Andros.

Svvorne Dec'' 13, IGSO. before the Lieu' Governour and Councill.

Jacob Milborxe Secretary
Present — Lieu' Governour

PiETER D'lanoy

Samuell Staas

Benj: Blagge

Henduick Janss.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 661

Colonel Bayard to Mr. John West.

[ New-York Papers, B. II. 26G. ]

14. January 16f4 New York
Sir.

Yesterday I received by Jn° Perry your's of the SS"" of Dec'" who was too carefull as to leave
them att Coll: Morris at his first coming, for otherwise they would have fallen in the hands of
our Philistians who open all letters, and keep them at discretion — I wrote you lately on the
S"* inst : by the way of llhoade Island under cover of M"" Loyd to which crave reference, since
that time I must remaine under my old confignement, which I prefere before any that the
Arch Rebell and his hellish crue may impose upon mee — M" Mayores was this day with
mee to give an account of a damned plot that M"" Mayor yesterday discovered, in which, on New-
Years day last it had been most wickedly resolved to massacre five or si.x of the Chief
inhabitants, in which number our Mayor and myself were included if possible to be found, but
by some intervalls being discovered where prevented (as it is now said) by the arch Rebell
himselfe. I shall not trouble you now with many particulars of our late sufferings since Cap'"
Lodevich tells mee he designes for your parts and intends to depart next morning to whome 1
crave reference. We have no post from Albany & Ulster, but e.xpect the same daily and doubt
not of their loyalty. I wisht wee had but proportionable here a sufficient number to surpresso
the rebells but our people are most parte to much frighted, wherefore we must with patience
waite for redresse by the arrivall of a Governour, which God give maybe very speedily, since
severall of our patiences can hardly beare the insolencies and abuses any longer —

1 am likewise much troubled that your usurpers of the Government continue still in their
severities which I hope may returne upon their owne heads in due time with a witnesse —

I thank you for the new supply of the printed papers which I have sent to several Gentlemen
for their perusal : Your new upstarts sent alsoo a parcel! of them (as I am informed :) to our
Mazenello and withall desired him to procure what accusations soever against his Execell"'' and
the rest of your friends in which you need not to doubt, but he and his crue have been active
beyond the bounds of honesty, for I have witnesses sufficient to prove that one Mathias a
servant or Souldier who has lived upwards of two years by S"" Edmund Andros has declared
for the truth on the watch, that Leiseler had endevoured to perswade him for to sweare that
said S"" Edmund was a papist offering him 24. Shill' or 4. crov^Ties in hand with a promise not
to want as long as he should live — I have endevoured to find out the said Matthias, but has
been impossible for mee, to send an affidavit of it under oath which I still shall be mindful of,
as I can but find him out. I hope and doubt not but I may be able to answer your desire
relating the remitting of the effects for the ^£100. you have taken up, unlesse wee should be
soe unhappy as to continue long under this slavish and tiranicall power, which 1 shall consult
with M"" Walker at his arrivall to be effected in the best manner — I doubt not but the Rebbells
here have endevoured ( : as much in them lyes), if possible to staine my repute at home to
cover their wickednesses, which I desire if occassion shall offer to vindicate against any false
and calumnious aspertions, and to give such accoimt of any demeanor as truth and your
experience has found me to bee. I had desired Capt° Nicholson by M'' Sturman if possible to
purchase or procure for mee a commission for the collectors employ here, to be in some manner
revenged for the affront I received in that Office from the Rebells, which if not disposed of
before your arrivall ( : as I doubt not but it will : ) pray give him your assistance therein, 'tho'
he should exceed my orders which was to pay .£150. sterling upon the first advice I should

(3r,2 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANTTSCRIPTS.

receive of the obtaining of the same, I say the' he should exceed .£40 or ^-50 more which
please to be mindful of and as for your concern — I shall not be wanting to contribute my
endevours, as I could be able to do for my owne — Cap'" D'Peyster was not willing to accept
of the mortgage for his security wherefore I was forced to be his paymaster for jNI"" ^Vinder's
debts as I had promised, wherefore I hope M" Winder will take more care to see me repaid
since I did engage myselfe out of meer kindnesse and much in respecte to yonrselfe as his
brother-in-law to vvhonie he faithfully promised to give such, security ettc.

N. Bayard

To John West Esq''
at Boston these.

Ilr. William XichoJh to Mr. George Farewell.

[New-York Parers, 1!. 11. 3^2.]

iSIy dear Friend.

Perry got hither on Sunday last but it was yesterday before your letter of the SQ"" past
came to hand, he thinking fitt to leave all private letters att Coll: Morris's to prevent Leisler's
inspection, I write this notwithstanding your aduice of departing within a week, designing
if you are so happy as to be delivered out of the hands of those unreasonable men, that it
shall follow you, as well to mind you of your' friendship, as to let you know our condition
here and the sentiments of your friends ; I have not received any letters from Boston by this
opportunity, but your Capt" Palmer wrote formerly to me to procure him some money, but it
lay not in my power to raise it; I have had an ill time of it ever^ since the curst convention
of the colonies, nor can you believe its mended by any thing has lately hapened, I sold
Capt" Palmer's Sloope but was forced to take bond for the mony payable in three months and
have not received as yet a farthing of it, yet was glad to get quit of her at any rate, I shall
on one side one another, and severall others watching for her

to lay their attachements for the same reason, and course of the law here is none, of which
pray with my service to Capt" Palmer informe him, nor think because he is in adversity, I am
unmindful of him for I vow to Almighty God, I would willingly serve him in any thing I can —
The Negro Robin I leave at my Fathers at Covvneck affirming him mine to avoid all their
claimes and pretences, Cornell, its true, owes the Judge some money, but he is so plagued
with the Hempsted mens demands, that a p''=le may as soon be had of a whore as any cash
from him, it being naturall for all men to attend self preservation, and that incorrigeable
brutish co.xcomb Leisler is here,^ our despott backt by the insipid mobile's, Delanoy, Milborn,

' Our. New - York Colonial Manuacripts, XXXVI. — En. ' Every lioure. Ibid.

' The preceding ten lines of this document in the copy in Xew-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVI., in the Secretary's
office, read thus :

"I sold Capt Palmers sloope but was forced to take bond for the money pnyiible in 3 months and have not reed as yet a
a f.irthing of it yet ivas glad to be ride of her at any rate, I shall [ be] on one side, and dunhamps on another, and severall
others watching for her to lay their attachments, for the same reason the negro Robin I leave at my fathers at Cow Neck
affirming him niyne to avoid all their claims and pretences, Cornell its true owes the Judge some money but he is so plagued

with the Hempstead mens demands that a p may as soon be had from a whore aa any cash from him, it being naturall

for all men to attend selfe preservation and course of ye Law here is none of which Pray with my Service to Captn Palmer
Informe him nor thinek because he's in Adversity I am nnmindfull of him for I vow to Almighty god, I would willingly
Serve bim in any thing I can. That incorrigible brutish Coxcomb Leisler is here" <(rc. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: Vll. 66-}

Edsall, Cu3'ler, Jan Schoutten, j'ouiig Hendrick the liaker, and others not worth the naming are
his counselL The villain gives himself the title of Lieu' Gov', out of hell certainly never was
such a pack of ignorant, scandalous, false, [malitious] impudent, impertinent rascalls herded
together, they are the shame and infamy of all that may be called Govern'. They took up Phillip
Franck lately and kept him 20 dayes, for the most part of which, they denyed the accession of
any one whatsoever to him, at last upon humble submission they let him out and he is now
gone towards London' where we heare — prentice is, Sunck, Jeremy Tuthill and myself they
threaten to serve up with the same sauce, this makes me to keep my house and not stirr out
except privately and well armed ; that miscreant Leslier is growne to that hight of arrogance,
that he threatens to plunder the houses of those who will not allow his authority to be legal
and insolently affirms, whose head soever he pleases to send for shall be brought him the hour
he commands it. I think our hoggs are brought to a fair market, a decree is issued some
dales since for a thanksgiving to [for] their INLaj"" success but more especially for the well
setlement of this province, with what frontless confidence can those [Caitiffs] daily shamm
with the Eternall being, we must call the Almighty a lyar to his very face, and praise him ibr
that most we want, and their Maj'^'' names must be used as a security to their shameless
villanyes and oppressions ; I doubt your holidays are somewhat of the same nature. This is
fit to confirm Athiests, to see the world committed to such Phaetons (: tho' truely that name is
too good for those Fopps:). Li passion I could say with tlie Poet: can he from his so lofty
throne behold, such villains prosper and his thunder hold. Can he with [lightning] strike a
senceless tree ettc. But what shall we say, no man can see good or evill by all that is before
him. Nimquam sticcessu crcscit hones/ um; if vertue were not an inestimable reward in herself,
mankind were frustrate in any further expectations, successe and shee are seldome concomitants,
yet its that gives true splendor to all actions tho' probably, 1 doubt^ take her to be dresst in the
same habit as some of my neighbours doe — I have let you know and doubtless you'l understand
from all hands in what a wretched condition here we are reduced to, you now being gone or
going for England, 1 conjure you by all those endearments and friendships have past between
us, by 3'our love to justice, humanity and vertue, and your aversion to rebellion, hypocrisie,
false zeal, and villainy, that you be and remain a mortall, diligent, inveterate and unreconsilable
ennemy to Leslier and all his adherents, and being arrived in England, whether the Gi-eat God
send you safe, that you use all the interest you can make by your friends and otherwise to get
those Rogues removed and left to the severity of the law — that they may be an example to all
rebells, for the future — This boon and favour I begg of you with as much earnestness as I
would my own life or prosperity if it were in your grant. Let me hear from you by the first
after your voyage, and be soe kind as to give a true state of things at home. I intend after a
few dales, to leave New York and goe into the country, there to stay till a Governour arrives,
or some alteration happens, wiiich God of his mercy send speedily to our relief

(signed) W. Nicholls.

New York Jan''^ 14. 1GS9. directed for M' George Farewell^
A true copie Exam"* 24. June 1690.

(signed) Abrah. Gouverneur.

' "N: London." New-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVI. — Ed. ' I ilont. Ibid.

• George Farewell was one of those who was imprisoned at the breaking out of tho revolution in Boston. He was Sir
Edmund Andros' attorney, and was accused of having, to the destruction of the property of the subject, acted illegally in
prosecuting those who refused to comply with illegallevies. Revolution in Neio- Eiigland Justified, p. 9. On his return to America,
he came to New-York, where he was appointed, in 1691, one of the King's council to prosecute Liesler and his associates. — Ed.

564 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Edward Hamlolpli to Major Broclcliole-s:

[New- York- Tapers, B. T. II. 390.]

Letter intercepted by Leisler from M'' Randolph to Major BrockhoUs

Common Goal Dec. 28. 16S9.

I received this morning your letter of y^ IS"" instant by w"^ I find that your rebbells are no
changlings, & Leisler and his partners make true the proverb, sett beggars on horseback and
they will ride to y" Divell. I am well assured y' y' letters sent by Riggs ought to be putt in
y' hands of y* Members of y" Councill and y'' Justices of y^ peace ; but its fallen out very
unhappy for those who must live under y'' fury of a conceited rabble. Our people are much
concerned to know what to do with ns ; they know if they send us home & have nothing to
charge upon us, 'twill not sound well on their side. They meet in 2 or 3 dayes, they adjourn,
and do nothing as they ought. The Governo"' and wee have wrote to them twise. I have
wrot 2 letters in my own busines, & their wise worshipps give us no answere ; they are at
their old trade of wheedling at home, and delaying us here in hopes to gett their Charter ;
expecting y' all gent" even the Lords of y' Councill who have formerly been for vacating their
Charter, shall be putt out of their places. Tlie Gov"' is of opinion wee shall be all sent speedily,
but 2 or 3 shipps are now ready ; they have embarg'd them for their pleasure. Capt George
received orders to go for England and convoy home y' 2 masts ships, arrived at Piscataqua ; he
has laid his ship by y" wharfe, taken out her gunns and powder (a very scare comodity here) I
feare he will meet with trouble from his men, when he cannot keep them aboard, and y"" same
men who made tliem mutiny before, are as ready (as ever) to y* like or worse damage to him
and his ship upon y*" first occasion. Sir, God send us well to England; I will net omitt y*
commands relating to y* pay of your Companyes, nor any thing which falls in my power to be
serviceable to your concerne at home or in New York. My humble service to y"" Lady' and to
Col : Bayard. I shall be glad to receive a letter from you directed to me at y* Plantation
Office. Wishing health and a happy settlement to your Province and to all your afJaires,

I am S'' your assured friend & serv'

Edw. Raj^dolph.

My service to Coll: Dongan &
Coll. Smith when you see him

To Major Brockholes at
New York. Present.

' JufTi'ou Sis.^NNA SuRicK. 2 Xcw-York Historical Society's Collections, I., 395. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 665

[ Pamphlets iu British Museum, — --^ — '—^ ]

A Modelt and Impartial

NARRATIVE

Of fevera I Grievances and
Thar the Peaceable and mort^ Confidcrable Inhabitants

o r

Their Majefties Province

N E W YO R K

I N

AMERICA

Lye Under,

By the Extravagant and Arhrtrary
Proceedings of Jacoh Leyfier and
his Accomplices.

Printed at New-Tork, andUej^nnXcd alLonJo/i i€^o.

Vol. III. 84

6G6 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

THE, Reader is JjcreTry aJverhJedj That the Tyfuilcrs contained in
the foVoLDwgDcclaratienand Narration.uicrc intended t o have
bi-en£reJcr:ied-iorhc jK^ayrr's Court in Hzvr -York. the2ith o/^Janna-
ly lajtpajt, but that the Fury and E aSe of thi s Infolent 7\Ian Xeyller,
wu,s grotvnto fhathci^Jit^ that rhe Jay before, ly /jisat'der-j fezrerall*cr-
fovs of Notewere 'vtoUntly fcized, iind divers Houfes broken Ohen^ Jh as
itu/AS nn t thought fafe to proQccl in Juch yiethcd. 'Ear wToich reafcn
lis il'ju^^hf vjcll tojyrMiJh t/jc fume, for information cf all i?: to zchofe
hands it mciy come, but.more efjriciallyfor the benefit of ourfeiloic Lnha-
lHants, xc/jo are ubifed ly the falf Pretentions of this common Violatcr
of iiur Laws and Lihcrfief. as by the fcllcwing Narrative will plainlij
appear: Wherein the Courteous Perufer is defired to tat^e notice, it hath
been our great Care to relate nothing hut 'Matters of fact, of which \oe
have fuhjlantial CreHible Evidences.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 667

The Narrative. &=

Out of the deep sence we have of the good providence of Almighty God, in their Majesties
happy accession to the Imperial Crown of England, &•=. In the first place we, in a most
Christian manner, with hearts and hands lifted up to Heaven give Glory to Almighty God, for
this so happy a Revolution, whereof it hath pleased the most High to appear the I'rincipal
Author. In tiie next place, we cannot but declare and publish to the world our hearty and
thankful resentments of the Noble, though hazardous Enterprize of the late Prince of Orange,
our most dread Soveraign King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the
Faith &■= the Noble Heroe of this Age, for the Protestant Religion, and the preservation of the
Laws & Liberties of the English Nation inviolated, manifesting hereby, that as in duty bound,
so in point of Gratitude, we can do no less than didicate our Lives and fortunes to their
Majesties services, with our most serious and continued prayers for their Majesties long and
happy Reign over us, being well satisfied in our own selves, that what our native Land so
plentifully enjoys under their Reign, to wit, the Laws and Liberties of the English Nation, we
(though inhabiting a remote part of their Dominions) shall share with them in the common
Propriety.

In consideration whereof, in all humble and obedient manner as Dutiful subjects to their
Majesties, and well wishers to this their Province of New York, we can do no less than in the
presence of God, and to the world, declare our abhorrence and dislike of the unreasonable.
Illegal and Arbitrary proceedings of some Men inhabiting with us in this their Majestys
Province who have -usurped Authority over us.

Against all such proceedings of theirs hereafter faithfully and impartially set down and
against them, as the Actors thereof, we do hereby publickly declare and protest.

Now to the end that Reasonableness of this our Protestation may appear unto all to whose
hands it may come, we count ourselves obliged to give a brief recital of the case of our Late
Lieutenant Governour Francis Nicholson, for the more peaceable quiet and satisfactory
governing this their Majestys Province.

To obviate all suspicion of Jealousies that might arise in ill affected turbulent spirits, our
said Lieutenant Governour by and with the consent of so many of the Council as here resided
(upon the whispering of the late happy change) did convene together, with the jMayor
Aldermen and Common Council men of the City of New York, with all the Commission
Officers of the Militia of this City and Country; at which convention our said Lieutenant
Governour proposed to admit of part of the Train-bands of this City and County to take their
turns of .watching and warding within their Majesties Fort upder their own Officers; Aud
further offered, with the advice and consent of his Council Civil and Military Officers, there
met and assembled, that the Customs formerly paid by the Inhabitants of this Province should
still continue, only with this alteration, that whereas formerly it was expended and laid out in
defraying of the charges of the Government, & Soldiers in pay in the Garrison, it should
thence forward be imployed in the fortifying and putting this City in a posture of defence
against a foreign Enemy, on which the welfare and safety of this Province so much depends.

In pursuance of the same an order issued forth from the said convention, signed by the
Lieutenant Governour, his Council, the Mayor and Aldermen of this City, and most of the
Commission Officers of the Militia none shewing so great a dislike to it as Jacob Lcijskr, one of
the Captains of the Train bands of this City, who at that time had a Ship loaden with wines.

6Q8 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the customs wliereof amounted to upwards of one hundred pounds, the payment of this he
utterly refused, alledging, The Collector being a Papist, was not qualified to receive it, denying
the then power to he legal ; but whether for that or his own private iuterest let the impartial
judge.

The turbulent mind of this person not being satisfied in denying the payment of the usual
Customs, though appointed for the use aforesaid, he sets himself upon inventing ways how he
might overturn the Gov' which was then peaceable and quiet. The first thing he falls upon
was to stir up and animate the people of the East end of Long Island to advance with sufficient
force to take possession of the Fort, lest it should be in danger of being delivered up to a
Foreign Power ; this readily took with them whose minds were already heated by the example
of Boston in clapping up of our Governour Sir Edmund Andros, and after some consultations
amongst themselves, they put forward in a Hostile manner increasing as they came along the
Island, until they were so far advanced as the Town of Jamaica, being then about eighty in
number, whence they halted, and sent up three of their principal leaders to discourse the
Lieutenant Governour, who upon their coming convened his council the Mayor and Aldermen
of tliis City, and the Commission Officers of the Militia of City and County, into which
Convention the Persons sent were admitted where after some long debates they seemingly
went away satisfied, at least so far as that they and the men accompanying them returned
home to their own Townes and habitations, without doing the least hurt or damage to any.

This stratagem failing our JMasanello Leysler, in a short time after a Rumour was spread
amongst the quiet Inhabitants of this City, of a horrible design; there was of murdering
them, their wives and children as they were worshipping of God in the Dutch Church within
the Fort, and the Sunday prefixed, when this cruel act was to be accomplished ; Captain
Leysler in the mean time instigating and stirring up the Inhabitants to self preservation against
this imaginary design which so far prevailed with part of the Inhabitants as that the Friday
before the Sunday markt out by this report for the pretended massacre, they rose in a hostile
manner; the first who appeared in arms were some under Leyslers Command who (as a plot
was laid) went to the House of their Captain, and threatened to shoot him if he did not head
them. This no ways surprized the courageous Captain ; a substantial reason why, himself
being the sole contriver of it: Yet whether prevailed most, the want of valour, or the
apprehensions, if he should miscarry in this bold attempt, the Country would lie destitute of
one so fit as himself to command, we leave the judicious to determine.

However it was it seemed not good unto this Champion to venture himself but commits the
conduct of his Men unto one Stall, famous for nothing, unless his not being worth a groat ; up
marches Stall with his brisk followers, and to the Fort gates they draw near, where they met
witii a very civil Gentleman, one Haidrkk Cvylcr, left under Captain Abraham Dcpeystcr, who
commanded that part of the Train bands, who by turn had the Guard in the Fort that day; this
Persons civility was such that it's hard to determine whether Stall and his party without were
more desirous to enter, than he within was ready to open the Gates to them. In fine, entrance
they had with great acclamations and yw on l)()tii sides, that so meritorious a design was not
prevented

How far this valiant Lieutenant Cinjlcr in this base act of his, hath answered the Laiv a/ Armx
or the trust reposed in him, we will not now determine ; but sure we are, the season tliey
took for accomplishing this their unmanlike contrivance, doth not a little add to their crime,
it being of that juncture of tinu; when our Lieutenant Governour and conventment (whereof we
have before made mention) were consuUing for tiu' more ordinly (|ui('( and [leacealjle Governing

LONDON DOCUJIENTS : VII. GG9

this their Majesties Province, who at this sudden change were startled, and acted what was
left in their power, publickly protesting against this rude Action, & the Actors thereof. By
this time their great Champion Lcyslcr being well assured all danger and hazard was over, he
most couragiously Girds on his Sword, Marches stoutly up to the Fort, in order to his carrying
the Game he had so fairly begun, where he is joyfully received, and a consultation immediately
held, how they should obtain the Keys of the Fort, which the Lieutenant Governour had in
Custody, being in the City Hall, where he was in consultation as is already hinted.

The evening approaching. Captain Lodwick and his Company advances to the Fort to moimt
the Guard, as his turn was; some time after his being in the Fort, nothing would satisfy the
Tumultuous Multitude, but that three or four files of men must be sent under the Command
of iniliam Churchill Sergeant to Caplain, Lodwick to fetch the keys from the Lieutenant
Governour (a fitter person for such a Message could not be sent than this Churchill infamous
for his mutinous and turbulent spirit.) With much Insolence this impertinent impudent fellow
rushed into the room where the Lieutenant Governour was, and demanded the keys ; the
Lieutenant Governour commanded him to call his Captain, wlio was prevailed with to come
hoping thereby to appease the people unto whom the Lieutenant Governour delivered the
keys, and Captain Lodwick returning to the Fort, the expectations of the multitude being
answered, after publishing Ja. Lcijslcr Colonel, all leave the Fort to Captain Lodwick and his
Company who stayed their usual time and it was then agreed upon amongst the Captains,
that each should take his turn to reside in the Fort as Chief, till their Majestys pleasure slunild
be further known.

The Lieutenant Governour, his Council and Convention aforesaid, taking into their serious
considerations, what danger the Moneys was in, paid by the Inhabitants of this their Majestys
Province as well for Customs as Publick Taxes which at that time was secured in the Fort.
The said convention agreed upon and ordered tlie Moneys should be removed to the House of
Frederick Phillips one of the Council, a manTif known credit and the most considerable for
Estate in their Majesties Province.

This was concluded on the day our Usurper Lcyslcr by his Instruments, seized the Fort,
being the 3f day of May last past. But to no purpose was this agreement of the convention ;
for those who had made themselves Masters of their Majesties Fort were resolved to command
the Money too, being the sum of seven hundred seventy three pounds, which they peremptorily
denied the removal of, wlien demanded by the Lieutenant Governour, in pursuance of the
order aforesaid. How they have disposed of this Money, is not our present business to
enquire ; we leave that imtil the happy arrival of a Governour Legally commissionated from
the King.

The Fort being thus in possession of the Captains of this City, by turns, all the violence
used for severall days was that upon tlie arrival of any Vessel, great or small a file of
Musqueteers were sent on board the Masters and Passengers carried to the Fort, and the
Letters taken from them some whereof were open'd, and publickly read amongst the People.
Never the like known in this place, under any former English Governr.

This is too little to satisfy the misatiable Ambition of this Great usurper, Leysler, who
could not content himself with the station nature had fitted him for, and placed liim in, but
his soaring, aspiring mind aiming at that which neither his birth nor education had ever
qualified him for, to wit, to be their Majesties. Lieutenant Governor of this Province, making
no matter of conscience how illegally he attained thereunto whether by usurpation or
otherwise. It jieing his turn to command in chief in llieir Majesties Fort the lliird day of

670 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

June past, lie caused an Alarum to be beat, that he might accomplish his wicked designs, the
intent of this hubbub being only to ensnare those of the Inhabitants, who till that day had
kept themselves clear of these actions.

The Inhabitants unanimously appeared in Arms that day to stop the mouths of their
Gainsayers, and were lieaded by their Colonel Nicholas Bayanl, though many of them were
sensible it was only a sham Alarm, as it afterwards proved.

They being all drawn up, on a- plain before the Fort and no appearance of an Enemy,
Colonel Bayard gave command to that Captain whose turn it was to work on the Fortifications
of this City that he and his Company should repair thither ; and to the other Captains he
gave command that they should dismiss their men. But this not answering the end of those
who were made privy to the design of Lcijslcr, they march into the Fort, without their
Captains who stayed so long on the plain, until they were told. If thcij went not in, the
Commonalty ivould pvll down their Houses and iticij waidd be in danger of their lives.

To prevent which, they followed their Companies (instead of leading them) into the Fort,
vv'here a Paper was prepared to be signed by every one, the contents being, That with their lives
and fortunes theij would defend the Protestant Religion and keep the Fort for King JJllliani and Queen
Mary, until their Majesties further orders.

This being done, L"ijsler begins to think himself sure of his point. Gabriel Mitnveil, one of
the Captains of the Train Bands well considering the ill effects that such proceedings would
produce, wisely procures his discharge from the Lieutenant Governour and no more appeared
amongst them. The rest of the Captains continued their command more as we are ready to
believe, to do what in them lay to prevent mischief, and check the insolence of this proud
usurper, whose immoderate desire after greatness and dominion over his fellow subjects so far
infatuated him as that upon all occasions (especially if any strangers present) he hath
publickly made iiis boasts, how he contrived and laid the whole design as is before related.

The next Invention of Leysler was to animate aud stir up the People to the choice of
Committee men, upon pretence of writing a letter to the King in behalf of the Country, and
to consider the Reparations of the Fort, which was of absolute necessity. However legal, this
Company of Men assembled were (who afterwards termed themselves a Committee ef safety.)
we leave till a fitter time to dispute. But we cannot pass by the method of being chosen,
which we are sure was altogether illegal and disorderly, there being not one third part of the
Inhabitants of this their Majesties Province that condescended thereunto, nor was it ever
intended by Leysler they should, lest by that means his expectations should be frustrated. In
fine, a Company of these men Elected by the far least number of the Inhabitants, coming
together in the Fort, two of them indeed with more honesty and a clearer discerning than the
rest, perceiving that the main drift was to set up Leysler and make him Commander in Chief,
fairly and wisely withdrew themselves, and after the first time appeared no more amongs tthem.

The fruits of this unsafe Committee as we have cause sufficient to call them was to make
Leysler Captain of the Fort, requesting of the other Captains of the City that they would
yield him their assistance when desired.

Now begins this Usurpers greatness, whicii la- is no ways wanting in improving (with the
assistance of his Committee men) in all the illegal Arbitrary Acts man in so short a time
could be guilty of. His working brain stands not still with Commanding the Fort, nor were
his desires fully answered thereby ; Nothing less than Lording and domineering in all Causes
(Eclesiastical, Civil and Military) will satisfy this Man, who was, and is much alike qulified
for them all.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. Cu^

The Laws and Liberties of the English Nation (with whicli we have good cause to judge he
is little acquainted) he thinks no crime to violate, not regarding the Noble example of the late
Prince of Orange, our now most renowned Soveraign King JVilliam, who for the prevention of
the violation of our Laws and Liberties bath so eminently appeared to the end they might be
preserved in their due channel.

This our proud Usurper finding the sweetness of an arbitrary Power agreeable with arbitrary
mind, deems it a fault in any, who objected the Law against his illegal proceedings. Upon
all such occasions he would angrily answer, Jnuit do you talk of Law? the Sword must noiv ride.
As if that which was judged so hainous in our Native Land would be deemed meritorious in
these parts of their Majesties Dominions.

Our Neighbouring Colony of Coimectiait being full of disorders amongst themselves, albeit
they had assumed their former Government, a General Court of that Colonj^ sitting, take upon
them to send two persons to discourse those who (by usurpation) had taken possession of
their Majesties Fort of this Province.

Information being given unto the Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council of this City, met
and assembled at the Mayor's House the 22""* June last past, that Major Gold, and Captain Fitz
were sent by Connecticut Colony, with orders to proclaim their Highnesses, Prince and Princess
of Orange King and Queen of England &"^. That Board requested Alderman W'dlutm Merrk
to go to the Fort where those two Gentlemen were, and desire the favour of them to come
to the Mayors House, which he accordingly did and they complyed with the request. Being
come to the Mayors House he signifies to them, The information was had of their coming to
this place with directions to proclaim King William and Queen Mary, and desired they would
acquaint them what orders they had for it, that so they (of this City) might be ready to shew
their fowardness to act in the' same ■v\^th such Honour and Splendor as the occasion required.

Major Gold and Captain Fitz ansW* Theij came iqMn no such account hut came to the Persons
that had the Fort in Custody, to discourse about some ixtrticular matters from their General Court; and that
tliey did not know before they came from home but that the King luid been already proclaimed here. That
when they came to town, going to the Fort, as they were sent, they having the Proclamation about them,
M' Jacob Leysler desired them to let him have the use of it to Proclaim the King and Queen here.

The Inhabitants being in Arms to this intent, by beat of the drum the Mayor and Aldermen
of this City (though not thought worthy to have any notice of it, till after they were proclaimed
at^ie Fort) went to the City Hall to attend the Solemnity. Which being performed, Leysler
desired the Mayor and those with him to go up to the Fort and drink the King and Queens
health, which they shewed their readiness to do. No sooner were they come into the Fort,
though by invitation of Leysler himself but he tells them, The jjcojde were so much incensed
against them, that it would not be safe for them to continue long there, and gave them his friendly advice
to be gone. An entertainment not unlike the Person that gave it.

Their Majesties being proclaimed in this Province and a printed Proclamation coming to the
hands of the Mayor and Aldermen of this City, Tliat all Justices of the Peace S{ Sheriffs should
continue until further order except Papists ; they caused the same publickly to be read requiring
the Inhabitants to take notice thereof accordingly. This madded our proud Usm-per, being
averse to nothing more than a civil Government, which he knew must needs curb and be a
check upon his Insolency.

Therefore to prevent this he gives his malicious spirit the full swing and endeavours afresh
to enflame the common people, by branding of those who were in commission of the Peace
with being Popishly qfected, for no other reason than that they would not join with him m

672 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

violating all our Laws and Liberties. His envious malicious mind could not have vented
itself in a more pernicious Falshood than this ; for upon due Examination it will he found that
not one Piqmt or Poiiislihj affected throughout this their Majesties Province were in Commission
of the Peace, and that many whom he hath thus wickedly scandalized have always been of far
greater Reputation both in Church and State than himself

The malice of this Mans spirit hath been so general against all tliat would not say as he
did, that the Dutch Ministers of the Reformed Churches within this Province, have not escaped
the lash of his inveterate tongue. Nor hath his endeavours been wanting to create the same
disorders and confusion in Church as he liath already done in Government.

How far what is already related evinceth tliis Usurper LeijsJcr to be an Enemy to and
infringer of the Laws and Liberties of the English Nation we leave to the Judgment of the
impartial. Yet lest all that he hath hitherto acted were not sulBcient to declare his averseness to
the Laws and Liberties of the free born subjects of England, he further proceeds to action. And

On the 2-5"' day of June last past, going into the Custom House where was present
Commissioners appointed by the Lieutenant Governours, Council, Mayor, Alderm" and
Common Council of this City M"" Pauliis Richards M"' John Hnynes & M' Thomas Wenham
Merchants of this City, who were authorized by the convention aforesaid, to, receive the usual
customs paid by the Inhabitants of this their Majesties Province; and the same to keep until
orders came from their Majesties. The reason why this convention took upon them to
authorize the Gentlemen above mentioned was the particular recommendation of the
Lieutenant Governour, considering tlie circumstances of Matthew Plowman Collector, and that
he was not qualified as their ^Majesties Proclamation, bearing date the 14"" February 16S8.
directeth.

This violator of our Laws and Liberties going into tlie Custom House as is above hinted,
abuses the Gentlemen then present with scun-ilous Language peremptorily demanding of them.
By ivhat Aicthoritij they sate there ? To wliom they modestly replied. That ivhen he satisfied
them what poiver he liad to examine them they would return him answer, hut in the mean time desired him
to go out of the Custom House, where then he had no lusi?icss.

In a little space after, this Usurper comes the second time, with his Power which power
which was neither the Laws of England nor this Province, nor yet a Legal Commission, but a
Company of Men witli Swords, and Guns (according to his usual maxim. The Sword m2ist nde
and not the Laws) and by force of Anus turns them out of the Custom House. In wlj^h
violent action of this usurper Colonel Bayard narrowly escaped with his Life, who hath wisely
ever since absented himself, lest by the instigation of thia malicious Man he might be murdered
unawares.

The next exploit this violent Leyslcr falls upon is to fulfil a promise he w^as heard to make in
the beginning of our Troubles, That in two months time he would do all the English Rogues business
for them so that tivo of them should not he seen to walk together. In pursuance whereof on tlie li*
day of August he sends severall Armed men, with no other warrant than their Swords & Guns
to tlie House of M'' Thomtis Clark a Merchant in this City who at that time was under some
indisposition of body which they no wayes regarded nor the intreaty of his Wife (tlien big
with Child) who begged of them not to be so rude, his Children being frightened. They
replyed, They nuittcrcd it not, if they were all Icillcd. And in a violent manner they carried this
Free born subject of England and free man to the Fort, wliere ic^/s/e/- lays to his charge a
Paper deUvered by him unto the Committee, but principally that he should say, The next time
the Drum heat an Alarm he could raise four hundred men. For no other reason is this free bom

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 673

subject of England confined a close prisoner in the Fort, witiiout any Warrant of Commitment
wherein the cause of his coulinemeut ought plainly and especially to be set down as the Law
directs; neither was there any due process of Law against this their Majesties subject, thus
arbitrarily debarr'd of the liberty of his person. By which this Usurper hath made the
greatest breach and Inroad upon the Laws and Liberties of this English Nation, that was
possible for him to do, as the Gentlemen learned in the Law, both by Study & practice have
sufficiently demonstrated by sound and solid arguments. That the violation of Mans Person is a
crime of a deeper dye and higher nature than that cf his Estate, for as much as nothing in the world is
so 7iear and Jtear to a Man as the Uhcrtij of his Person.

This Villanous Userper Lcysler not regarding the great care and pains of the Supream
Powers of England met and assembled in Parliament, for these many years past to preserve
the Subjects Liberties unviolated and to that end, how many excellent Acts have passed which
are as so many Walls and Bulwarks against all Arbitrary Usurpers, who though for a time
may flourish and meet with applause by their deluded followers, it's not probable can terminate
in any thing less than utter confusion and Destruction to themselves, and shame and Ignomy
to their beguiled Abettors only made use of as so many tools for the better accomplishing their
own wicked ends who then are to be laid aside and new favorites taken in.

Nothing seems so consentaneous to this abuser of our freedom and Liberties, as the French
Kings maxim (Sic Jubeo Sic volo) who by birth we are ready to believe may claim the
greatest share in him or at least by his actions, be equally scorning, with that proud Tyrant
to give any other reason for his Arbitrary Actions than his own unlimited will and pleasure

The many abuses particular persons have met withal, by having their goods taken from them,
without either warrant or legal proofs, would be too tedious here to insert. Upon all such
occasions the Actors being demanded, By ivhat icarraat they committed this violence'/ they would
usually answer (clapping their hands upon their Swords) Here is our warrant.

The keen edge of this mans malice could not be taken off by his cruelty to one of them,
whose ruin he had before avowed, but he goeth on to fulfill his wicked promise. And

On the 16th day of August past causeth another Alarm, to that end and purpose as some of
his own party were heard to saj', some days before it happened, That shortly there xvmdd he an
alarm in order to the taking hold and securing some not ivell affected to their Actions, which were such
as this violent Leysler intended as the subjects of his unbridled envy. And accordingly in a
violent manner, by force of Arms, these following persons were dragged to the Fort, to wit
M' Willium Merrit, M"" Jucvh DeJcey, IVP Brandt Schuyler, M'' PIdlip French, and M' Rohert Allison,
Merchants and considerable traders in this City and Province M'^ John Merrit son to M"" William
Merrit M"' Edward BucJanaster M"' Derrick Vanderburgh who were committed the same night of
the Alarm, without either warrant or legal Process.

The next day Captain Jolin Tuder meeting with the Courageous Lieutenant Cuyler, upon
some words between them was in like manner dragged to the Fort, as his fellow Citizens were
the night before.

M'' Thomas Clark after some daj's Lnprisonment was brought to that weak condition, that
he was more like to die than live, and was carried home in a Sedan, by order of his Gaoler
Leysler.

Also M'' John Merrit, after twenty four hours confinement himself being ill, his Wife much
indisposed, and his only Son lying on its death bed, had his liberty.

Alderman William Merrit the Grandfather of this Child, greatly desiring to see it before dead

Vol. in. 85

674 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

made application to his cruel Gaoler, Leijslcr, for leave to visit the Child offering any security he
should demand for his return thither, or if he pleased to send a guard of his Soldiers with him
he would satisfy them for their trouble ; but nothing could prevail with this Barbarous Man,
who resolved to keep the said Mcrnt with the others before named during his own will and
pleasure close prisoners in the Fort, wliich continued for twenty one days, and then were set
at liberty, as 3'et being strangers to their crimes that deserved so severe punishment.

On the twenty fifth of August comes to this place one AP Jacoh MUhorne from Englnnd, as he
gave out, we are obliged to mention his name by reason of the great part he acts in our future
troubles. This mans affected ambiguous way of expressing himself renders him unfit for the
conversation of any but the vulgar, who in this age, are so apt and ready to admire and applaud
that they understood not. This persons decayed fortunes were such that not unlike a Man
ready to be drowned, letting go a sure hold, catches at a twig so he in like manner relinquisheth
liis old acquaintance and friends, and joins with our Usurpers whom he revives by telling them.
That in the middle o/"May last he ivus in England u-hcrc all things in re settled, hy the common voice nf the
people in itmcr, under King William, who was an elective King and had svhniitted his Regal imrvci-
wltoUij to the people, so that it was now become a ma. rim, Vox Populi est vox Dei, and the King
ivas onlij a Servant to his Snlijects. Bv tliis our Usurpers were encouraged in tlieir old manner of
reasoning, when objected against their illegal proceedings, JVhat Laiv or warrant thetj had to back
them in their Actions '? Tiiey would always reply, Bij ivhat Law, warrant, or Commission did the
Prince of Orange go into England, and act as he hath done? And how do you thinJc King William can.
iaJce that amiss in vs who have onhj followed his example? The ver}' reiiearsing of this Disloyal
comparison is sufficient to cause an abhorrence and detestation in every Loyal Subject

The next fruits of this Milbomes News, is, that the Committee of Safety as they termed
themselves, take upon them to give forth an order to the inhabitants of this their ftlajesties
Province, signifj'ing: That xvhereas several Inhabitants had already turned out their old ojficers they
should proceed in election of Civil and Militan/ Officers in the several Counties of this Province. Some
Counties accordingly did by the appearance of small numbei's, turn out the Justices of the peace
and Military Officers, and choose new. A method never formerly never allowed of under any
of our Kings reigns, it being always granted to be the undoubted prerogative of tlie King to
Commissionate his Justices of the peace and Military Officers. However when we are better
satisfied that it hatli been his Majesties gracious will & pleasure to seperate this branch of his
prerogative and bestow it on the people, we shall readily show our thankful reception; but till
then, we think it the duty of all Loyal Subjects not to appear in such elections.

The 29"' day of September being the time appointed for the choice of Aldermen and Common
Council-men, in a charter of Priviliges granted to the city by Colonel Thomas Dungan, when
Governour of this Province ; accordingly the Inhabitants met in tiie several wards and chose
as usually, no ward being attended with' so much disorder in their Election as that whereunto
Captain Leysler belonged ; who its evident resolved right or wrong to have his Son in Law,
Robert Wallers to l)e returned Alderman for that ward : the method he took for doing it was
thus; coming into the place where tlie Inhabitants were assembled in order to their choice, he
finding the vote was like to be carried against his Son Walters, in tlie first ])lace he objected
against Captain Anihnm/ lirochholsi's Vote, a considerable freeholder of tluit ^V'ar(l, his being a
Papist; and afterwards says, 1 vote for my son Walters, my son Jacob Totes for his brother W niters,
and my son Walters votes for himself that's three, juit them down; By this means was his son
Walters returned for that Ward.

'J'he usual day ol' pubiishiug tlie Mayor, Siierili", Town Clerk, Aldermen and Common

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 675

Council of this City for the succeeding year was on the 14"" day of October, the birth day
of the bite King.7«wt.s, in the mean time comes forth an order from the Committee inipowerinn-
all the Protcsiant freeholders of this County, on the day of October to elect Mayor, Sheriff and
Town Clerk at wiiich election, the far greatest Number of the Inhabitants not appearing (well
knowing that by the express words of the Charter, that power was solely reserved in the
Governours breast to appoint these three Officers) the least Number of the Inhabitants in
pursuance of the Order aforesaid, met and assembled together, and by majority of voices
chose one Peter De Larioy Mayor Jolmnnes Johnson Sheriff, and Abraham Governour, Town Clerk,
against which persons we object not so much, as the method of their being chosen; neither
shall we be offended if it shall please his Majesty to add unto our former priviledges this
likewise The Gentlemen named being thus chosen were published on the customary day.

By this time Mr Milborne recovers of a fit of sickness that had hitherto rendered him
incapable of acting anything else but affording his chamber advice, wliich upon all occasions
was consulted by our usurper Leysler; now being restored, in great measure to his former
health, he vigorously joining with this usurper and his unsafe committee a notable piece of
service is immediately assigned him by them, which was to go up to Esojms and Albany in order
to the bringing tliose Counties in the same condition and disorders as they had done this and
the Neighbouring Counties near adjacent. In pursuance hereof, he goes on board a sloop and
sails forward to Albany with fifty Men, who had listed themselves as Volunteers to assist that
place, if occasion were against the French upon his arrival there, by the great care, conduct
and prudence of Peter Schuyler Mayor of that City, assisted by the Recorder Aldermen,
Common Council and Military officers, the designed purposes of this dark politician were
happily frustrated so that he returns back to this place under some Disappointment.

The eighth day of December arrives per via Boston one Riggs with two pacquets from his
Majesty, King W'dUam whereby we hoped to have had deliverence from the usurpation.
Slavery and cruelties of Leysler but our expectations were soon at an end the Superscription
of the Pacquets begin thus To our Trusty and well beloved Francis NicholsoQ Esquire our
Lieutenant Governour of our Province of New York in America, or in his absence, to such as for the
time being take care to keep the peace and Administer the Laws of our said Province

This iufringer of Laws and Liberties Leysler peremptorily assumes the Pacquets to himself,
saying. He ivas the Man to whom they tvere directed in the Lieutenant Gover.nours abseiice. But upon
what pretence he deems himself the person, except it be for his breach of the peace, and
obstructing the due course of the Law ever since he hath possessed himself of the Fort,
Arbitrarily and illegally ruling by the Sword is sufficiently evidenced to the iinbyassed Reader by
the foregoing lines

Frederick Phillips and Stephen Van Cortland, both of the Council, and left in Trvist by tlie
Lieutenant Governour for the keeping of the peace and legally Governing of this their Majesties
Province, which they carefully and lionestly would iiave discharged the Trust reposed in them,
if they had not been prevented by this Violator of our Laws and Liberties and that witli more
renown and Reputation to their Majesties as well as the better satisfaction of their Liege
People inhabiting this tlieir Majesties Province

The two Gentlemen of the Council before named, being sent for to the Fort, by the request
of M"" John Riggs (the Pacquets being by him at that time not delivered) they signified to
Leysler and those present witii him, 2'hat they were ready to observe such Orders as his Majesty had
given in his Pacquets to his Lieutenant Governour, then absent from whom they, together with Colonel

G76 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Bayard had histntclions to Tieep the jieace and administer tJic Law of this Govcrnmrnt, wliicli. tJwy alwafjs
were rcadij to have fulfilled., if had not been obstructed.

At tliis our Usurper rages, and vents his passion in his usual Billingsgate Rhetorick calHng
tliem 2'"l'''^ftli/ affected, Dogs and Itogues, and bids them iinmcdiatchj go out (f the fort, for they had
no bnsiness there. A strange entertainment to tlieni, who for tiiese many years past have alwaj's
as Councillors Officiated under the several Governours of this their Majesties Province, and at
that time those who were left in trust by their Majesties Lieutenant Goveniour. However
seeing there was no remedy but patience (this violent usurper resolved still to Govern by the
sword ) they quietly went to their own homes.

Their Majesties Pacquets being thus assumed by our Usurper, he immediately abusetii his
deceived Abettors by affirming to them, He had rcceiced a Co?nmi-t:sio7i to be their Ma/rstics
Lieutenant Govcrnovr, and that cdl their Actions were well approved rf. Tliis readily gained credence
with the vulgar who are too apt and willing to be beguiled by tlieir Popular leader. From this
time forward he assumes the title of Lieutenant Governour, and according to the Instructions
given in the Pacqnet, he swears some, who were of his Committee of Safety, before, to be
Councillors now, as also some few more of the Inhabitants, much alike unto these Persons
neither of the higiiest rank no reputation, but such as our Usurjier was well assured were for
his turn. This being done tliey proceed to action.

N B. On the 16"' day of December an order comes fortii Entituled, Bi/ the Lieutenant Governour
and his Council, signed underneath, Jacob Leysler.

Tlie contents as followetli

Bij ihr Lieulinavt Govvruour &•= & Cnuucil

Jl'hereas th/re is an Act of Assemhbj dated One Thousand Six hundred eighty three, Entituled, a
continued Bill for difraying of requisite charges cf the Goi-crnment, ^' many of the Inhabitants of this
Province notwithstanding they have subscribed to comply with the same, have disputed it when required
thereunto.

These are therfure to give Na/ice unto all persons, within this Brorince, that the Customs and excise
settled by the said Act, hath ^' doth still remain good, and rf full force, i^ that the Collectors t^
Receivers therecf, are empowered to do their duty therein; all persons being hereby strictli/ required to
obey the same as tliey will answer the contrary at their peril. Given under my hand fit Fort TVillierm the
Sixteenth day (f December 1689.

Jacob Leysler.

This order of the pretended Lieutenant Governour and Council, being set up in all the
public places of this City, did not a little alarm tlu^ considerate Inhabitants who thereby
clearly saw tlie willingness of this Usurper and his abbettors, to enslave them and their
posterity, so that he might command their purses. A strange cliange in a little time ! For
this Leysler in the beginning of our troubles, was the first man that disputed the payment of
the Customs, consulting with several of the Inhabitants, how these Arbitrary Impositions
might be pulled down Further how contrary this order of our Usurper and abbettors, is to
their own so often repeated maxim (That ivhatsoever was acted by a Pajust Governour, or vndei- his
authority teas ipso facto ivull and void and of no effect in Lau\) If there y(;t remain any candour
or Ingenuity in this violent man and his abettors, it will be more honourable for them publickly
to recant so jjlain an error, than still to |)ersist in it for we pray of the unbi/as\-rd Header, what

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 677

else is the intent purport and meaning of this Order, hut to enforce a Law made by a Ptqvst
Governovr and under his authorihj, which by their own argument, is void in itself, so that thej'
must either own this their dark unintelligible Oracle, hath much deceived them in this point of
Politicks, or its evident to the World, they have assumed upon themselves a Power to Itrrrj
Taxes Customs and benevolences upon the Inhabitants of this their Majesties Province, without
and contrary to their own consent notwithstanding the many wholsome Laws that have passed
under the several Kings Reigns in the Realm of England, made for the preservation of the
same ; as also contrar}^ to a particular branch of that Act which their order hath reference
unto, that in express words says thus, Tluit no aid, Tar, ToUage, Asscsment, Custom, Loon
Benevolence or imposition whatsoever shall he laid assessed, imposed or levied on any His Majesties Subjects
within this Province, or their Estates upon any manner or colour of pretence, but by the Act and consent
of the Governour, Council and representatives of the People in General Assembly met and assembled.

Now to the end we may further make out to the world tlie unreasonableness as well as the
illegality of this we cannot omit to advertise the Impartial reader, That in the year 16S3
arrived at this Province Colonel Thomas Dongan ; appointed his Majesties Governour under ids
Royal Highness the Duke (f York, the Lord Proprietor of tliis Province, who in a short time
after his arrival here according to particular instructions given him by his said Royal Highness,
did issue forth writs to the several Counties within this Province for the Electing of Members
to serve in General Assembly, which accordingly was done and the same were convened and
begun their first Session on the da}^ of October, & the first Act which passed this Session
was that their order refers to, wherein our Representatives wisely provided against the critick
Lawyers of this Age, who too nicely distinguish betwixt the Kings subjects inhabiting within
the realm of England, and those inhabiting his Dominions abroad, denying the latter the
priviledges confessed to be the undoubted birthright of the former, upon which our said
Representatives, prudently in the first part of that Act endeavour to secure unto themselves
and posterities what was the birth-right of every free born subject of England. This being
done, they continue this Act for the defraying of the necessary charges of this Government,
which begins thus,

The representatives of his Royal Highnesses Province of New York, convened in General Assembly,
Have, for and in consideration oj' the nuiny gracious and Royal favours expressed and extended to the
Inhabitants of this His Province ; and also for the bountiful confirming and resei'ving to them and their
posterity, the rights }f Priviledges, Liberties and Immunities before recited and expressed and for the better
defraying of the necessary charges and expences of this Province

How far this Act is binding upon the Inhabitants of this Province, will further appear, by
duly considering another clause of this very Act which runs thus.

That all Bills agreed upon by the said Representatives or the Major part of them, shall be pjxsentcd
nnto the Governotir and his Council for their approbation and consent ; all and every which said Bills so
approved of and consented to by the Governour and Council, sliall he esteemed and accounted the Laws oj
this Province which said Laws sliall continue and remain in force until they be repealed by the Authority
aforesaid, that is to say tlie Governour, Council and Representatives in General Assembly, bj'^
and with the approbation of his Royal Highness, or expire by their own limitations.

Now that this act of the Assembly, in a strick sense cannot be allowed to be a law of this
Province and so not binding upon its Inhabitants, we humbly oftt'r these reasons:

First, For that by the Authority aforesaid this act never was assented unto, the approbation
of His Royal Highness being always wanting, who was so far afterwards from approving of it.

Q78 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

that he utterly disallowed the same, and that first by a Letter to his Governour Colonel Thomas
Dono-an, and afterwards coming to the Imperial Crown of England he publickly disallowed that
Act by sending over a Commission under tlie broad seale of England to the said Colonel Dongan,
to be Captain General of this Province and with seven Councillors to govern the Inhabitants
thereof, any five of which Councillors made a Quorum and the Majority of that five with the
Captain General were empowered to make all laws. A method contrary to what the afore
recited Acts prescribe.

Secondly, Our second Reason why this Act is no ways binding on the Inhabitants of this
Province, is that the Customs Impositions & Excises granted unto his then Royal Highness, his
Heirs and successors, in the said Act were given in consideration of his said Royal Highness
Confirming to the Inhabitants the Charter Priviledges making up the first part of the said Act
which never was enjoyed by the Inhabitants nor confirmed to them but the contrary as is
proved.

Thirdly, For that hitherto wee are ignorant of any Law either made within the Realm of
England or this their Majesties Province by which the Inhabitants thereof are obliged to pay
unto his Majesty the Custom and Excise set down in the before recited pretended Act of
AssemblJ^

When any such Law is produced, those of us who have signed to pay unto King jrH/iam the
Customs due unto him, when legally demanded, shall readily comply ; but until that be done,
we cannot see those Notes given by several of us for peace and quietness sake (importing no
more than what is above written) are any ways obligatory.

However, when it shall please Almighty God, a Governour arrives to this Province from
King JVilHam we are ready to submit this point as well as all other Abuses and irregularities
done unto us, then to be decided in a Legal way and manner. To a Governour so arriving, we
shall not be backward to assist, either with our persons or Estates, for the more orderly and
peaceable Governing this Province and defraying the Public Charges thereof in such a way and
manner as shall be Legally agreed on.

On the 23'' December about seven or eight a Clock in the Evening, Jacob Dc Key Junior, son
to Jacob Dc Key already mentioned, with Cornelius Depeyster son to the widow Cor7ielis both lads
were violently carried away to the Fort by force of Arms without Mitthnns or Legal pi-ocess
alledging they had defaced and torn down the order of the pretended Lieutenant Governour and
his Council, which upon a due examination will evidently appear, was standing several hours
after their committment. How sollicitous this cruel usurper is to vent the fury of his rage
against both young and old is evident to all by the illegal confinement of these two lads for no
other cause but his own arbitrary will and pleasure.

The same Night an Indian Slave belonging to Philip French was dragged to the Fort and there
Imprisoned.

The next day M"" French falling in amongst some of Lryslers crew, resented the injury done
unto him by the illegal detaining of his Slave so highly that some of the standers-by
immediately went and informed against him so that in a short time after as the said French
was walking in the publick streets of this City about his lawful affairs, John Burger Serjeant to
this Usurper Leyslcr attended with six Musqueteers, lays violent hands on him and tells him,
he was his Prisoner and to the Fort he must go. M' French replyed, not unhsss you carry me,
which accordingly they did, in the nature of a dead Corpse, though living, where he soon
meets with the Entertainment of a close imprisonment.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 679

Some hours after tlie Commitment of this his Majestj-s Subject, bj' his own particular request,
Captain Jolm Tiuhr and M"' James Emrt, both allowed Attorneys of this Province made application
to his Gaoler Leysler for a copj^ of his mititmvs in order to their taking such care for their
clients enlargement, as the Law allowed of, and directed unto ; All the answer they obtained
at that time was That he could do nothing ivitliout advising ivith his Council and they should meet in
the Evening when theij might re-attend. This they carefully did though to little purpose ; for they
were denied entrance into the Fort that Evening several times ; nor coidd they be admitted to
speak with their Client, so that near twenty four hours were expired er'e this Usurper saw
cause to deliver the following papers which for the i-eaders satisfaction, we shall here recite
Verbatim.

Fort William, DeC 24"' Anno 16S9.

Wliereas comiilaint is made to me. That M"" Philip French, hath, in a most insolent manner
contemned this Government, threatening to tare off (if it had. not been already done,) the Proclamation
for continuing his Majesties Customs and Exciiie, according to an Act of Assembhj, l^V although it iras
forbid all persons at their j)eril

These are 171 his Majesty King William's 7iame to will and require you. to bring the said French
before me and Council, to answer for the same.

Given under my Itand and seal the date abovesaid.

Jacob Leysler.
To Sergeant John Burger, a?}.d his assistants.

At a Council held in New York the 24/A o/' December, Anno 1GS9. —

Present — Lieut. Governour, Mas. Cuyler

Samuel Edsall, Benjamin Blagg

Tho' Williams, Jno Van Coussenkeven'

Hendrick Janse Alderman

Whereas Philip French hath behaved himself very contemptuously, against the Lieutenant Governour
and Council, as by Evidence taken before him doth appear, and continueth in the same, being examined
before them.

Ordered, That the said French be forthwith committed to saj'e custody within Fort William, till

further consultation in this matter.

A true Copy, Examined by

Jacob Milborn Secretary

Now wiiether the reason of this Usurpers deferring the delivery of the warrant and Order
of the Council, above described, may not rationally be construed, as some do, that the warrant
directed to Serjeant John Burger and his assistants was written several hours after M"" French's
being close prisoner, or not is a question we shall not now insist on.

The Warrant and Order of Council above written coming to the hands of the before named
Attorneys, on the behalf of their Client, they apply themselves afresh to the pretended
Lieutenant Governour and Council sitting on Christmas Day in the Evening, to whom they
signified, That having perused the warrant and order of Council by which W Fhilip French
was committed close prisoner within the Fort, they found nothing contained in either, but wJiat

^ Com\'ENHOYEN, Kd.

(380 NEW-YOKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

according to the known Laws of England as well as this Province was Bailable, and for that
end and purpose they appeared before them on the behalf of their Client, to oft'er Bail to the
value of Twenty Thousand Pounds if desired, for his appearance in any Court of Record
within this County, there to abide such Dederminatiou as by Legal process should be made
against him, for or by reason of the charge alledged against him in the aforesaid warrant and
order of Council. All the Arguments used by these Gentlemen of the Law no ways prevailed
with this cruel Leysler, and his nominal Council, whom he is making use of, as his Tools, for
the better cloaking of his own arbitrary Illegal actions and intentions. It seems as if this
usurper were of the same opinion with some Soldiers in Plii/air/i's time, who wondered ain/
would be so importunalc as to preach Law and Moral Ilcuson to men iviih swords btj their sides, as if
Arms knew not how to descend to rational Inquiries. All the satisfaction given to this so
lawful demand of Bail on the prisoners behalf, was only some small diversion. Our late upstart
States-man — Mr Milhounie now advanced to the Secretaries Office by his new made
Lieutenant Governour was pleased to afford them by dro[)ping now and then his wonted obscure
suntence asking the Prisoners Council, Whether theij wotild submit the determinatimi of their Clients
CO use to the Lieutrniint Gurernour ami Council'/ Who tiiereupon modestly enquired in wiiat
capacity tiiey sat there whether Military or Civil '! Answer was made by Melborne, Both. The
uncertainty of this reply as well as its imreasonableness, yielded fresh matter to argue upon, all
wliich centered here, that our dark politician demanded. How they would help themselves, or by
what means they would, be relieved? To whom it might have been fitly replyed. In the same way
and manner as you, not many years past, recovered forty five pounds by a legal course, against
Sir Edmund Andros, for nine hours false Imprisonment. For notwithstanding the many
endeavours used by our Usurper to quash the various reports coming to us, many ways of a
Governour hastening from his Majesty for this Province, we are not discouraged in our
expectations of and well wishing for his safe arrival, and then we doubt not, but to see some of
our Usurpers !\^ceive the just demerits of their illegal Arbitrar}' doings.

The 4"' of January Captain Jolin Tuder by particular warrant from M' Philip French applied
himself to the Mayor of this City with the Kings writ of Habeas Corpus returnable to the next
Mayors Court, which was the 7"' of the same Month. Tliis writ so signed by the Mayor was
safely conveyed to Mr French and by iiim delivered to his keeper, who forthwith acquainted tlie
head Goaler Leysler therewith, who immediately ordered the windows where the said Frencii
was confined to be nailed up and that a more strict watch should be kept over him as if tiie
cruelties already exercised towai-ds tliis free born subject of England were not sufficient, who
hitherto iiath been denyed the access of his friends and acquaintance, no not so much as his
Counsellors at Law admitted to come near him, a usuage more cruel and barbarous than the
most notorious Fellon, Traytor or Rebel commonly meet withal

The T^ day of January being come and the Mayors Court sitting JNP John Tuder dilligently
attended it, expecting to iiave met his Client there, by virtue of the aforesaid writ, waiting a
considerable time and no appearance of M' French he informed that Court, That the JNIayor
was pleased on the 4"" Instant to sign his Majesties writ of Habeas Coqrus for the bringing the
body of the said AP French together with the cause of his Committment before that Court,
where he was ready to argue on the 1)ehalf of his Client the matter of Law that might arise ;
but seeing he was disappointed by the aforesaid writ being disobeyed, he should take upon him
to open to the Court the nature of the said writ which (said he) is a writ granted in the subjects
J'dvour to prevent the illegal detainurc of any (f the Kings Subjects falsely Lnprisoncd, so that a violation

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 681

of this kiyid icas a crime of lite deepest dije, and evcnj subject was nearhj concerned therein, none knowing
whose turn it might be next to liave their Liberties subjected to the Arbitrary will and pleasure
of this Man (Leysler)

Also, to the Bench he directed himself in this manner, you leho are the Mai/or and Aldermen for
the time being of this City and so consequently the Patrons thereef it behoves you to take care, the Ancient
Liberties and freedoms of this City be not infringed and that its Inluibitants be not in this manner dragg''d,
by a Marshal force, to the Fort, and there kept close prisoners.

Our Usurpers Oracle Milbornc, being present in the Court, after a long continued Silence,
Learnedly expressed himself thus ; I do affirm to this Court that M'' Frencli is none of the Kings
Subjects, without giving any further reasons. At which the standers by hissed and some
publickly charged him with being the principal Actor of our present troubles.

On the 12"" January certain advice coming to this place of a Ship designed to this Port,
whereof one Prents was Master, being struck on some Rocks near New London, and M' French
being chiefly concerned in the Loading, was forced to submit to this proud usurper and to
Petition him by the Title of Lieutenant Govemour who had before menaced him, ;'/" lie would not
give the Title of Lieutenant Govemour he would put him where he should never see the face of ^Nlan
more. To prevent which and the exigency of his affairs at that time he gratified the Ambitious
Humour of this man Leysler and thereby obtained his Liberty, upon his and M'' Tho' Winham's
entering into a recognizance of five Hundred Pounds to the King, for the said French his good
behavior during twelve months and a day from the date thereof

To return again to our account of the two lads first Imprisoned. Cornelius Depeyster, by the
humble petition of his Mother w^as set at Liberty. Jacob De Key is still under confinement
albeit his enlargement has been much endeavoured by his Master, M"' John Barbary, a
considerable Merchant in this City, who went to his Goaler Leysler and oflered Two Thousand
Pounds security for his Mans appearance to answer a legal process against him, to which end
and purpose a copy of his Mittimus hath divers times, been demanded, but could not be
obtained, nor no bail would be taken ; nothing will serve this proud usurper Leysler nor release
this Lad, but his parents sending in a Petition, directed to Jacob Leysler, Lieutenant Govemour
and his Council, wherein they must beg forgiveness for faults they are ignorant of their sons
being guilty of. A strange and unheard of method, to force people to pay Homage to his
person ! Children must be taken from their Parents, Servants from their Masters, Husbands
from their Wives Masters from their families, and all this on no other ace' than their denying
to give this proud usurper Leysler a title that no way appertains or belongs to him

And we dare this proud man to produce if he can, any actions against those Inhabitants he
most maliciously Characterizes as Fopishly affected so much savouring of Popery as these we
charge him with, & are ready to prove against him, when a convenient time and opportunity
presents.

For we pray the unbyassed reader what is the difference betwixt bloody Bishop Bonner's
Coal-hole, and this cruel unmerciful Usurpers Dungeon & Bullet-hole the former being fitted &
prepared for the poor Protestants, that would not idolize their consecrated Wafer, this latter for
tiie quiet Inhabitants of this their Majesties Province who cannot in their conscience ascribe
that Honour to him, which is only the right of the King to infer upon him & then its time
enough for his subjects to obey.

The IS"" January this Usurper Leysler, sends under the command of Lieut' Churchill twenty
soldiers over to Long Island, tlie next day they came to Jamaica, where they in a violent
Vol. 111. 86

(332 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

manner by force of arms hroke open the House of W Danid Whitehead one of his ISIajesties
Justices of the Peace appointed by our Governour Sir Edmund, Andros, and being entered into
the house they in like manner aforesaid brake open several chests & boxes, but found not what
they looked for, and so returned the next day without doing any more mischeif as we yet
hear of.

On the Sixteenth of Jainiary the Publick Post M"' John Vernj setting out from tlie House of
Colonel LeiDu Morris towards Boston was not advanced on his way above a quarter of a mile
before be was laid hold on by a warrant from our Usurper LeijsJcr, & brought back to this
place — New York with his Letters which were opened and perused at the will and pleasure
of this arbitrary IMan, who its plain and evident unto all that are not wilfully blind hath made
it his contrivance how to ruin the Inhabitants, and hinder the Prosperity of this Province, ever
since his taking upon him to Govern by the sword, which he hath in great measure affected,
by his continual breach of the peace, and obstructing the due course of Law and Justice.
But lest this was not sufficient, he resolves to destroy as mucli as in him lies, the Commerce
and Trade of this Province. A more ready way than this could not have been taken by
him for that purpose, to obstruct and hinder advice which is acknowledged by all to be the
Life of Trade ; for how can this be given or received, where intercepting Mens private Letters,
is become so modish with our pretended rulers, as that they are so far counting it a Crime, as
by their Action they deem it a virtue.

Before we draw to a conclusion of this our Declaration and Narration, which is already
swelled beyond its intended limits, we cannot omit transcribing two other branches of the
l)retended Act of Assembly, they seemingly make such a pudder about, which upon an
impartial Eiujuiry (allowing it to be an Act binding though, that we cannot do, for the reasons
already given) these our usurpers will be found the greatest violaters thereof The branches
we think fit to insert are these following Viz.

That no free man shall be taken and imprisoned, or he disseized of his free hold, or Liberty or free
Customs or he outhured, or exiled, or any other ways destroyed, nor shall be passed vpon. Adjudged or
Condemned, hut hi/ the lairful Judgement ef his Peers ^'hy the Laws of this Province.

Justice nor right shall he ncitJier sold, denied or deferred, to any man xoithin this Province.

That in all cases whatsoever, Bail by sufficient surety shall he allowed 4' fc^en unless for Treason or
I'i'lony, plainhi and especially expressed and mentioned in the warrant of Commitment.

How far these our Usurpers Actions evince their little regard unto the pretended Act of
Assembly, except it be to that part which would bring Greast to their Mill, let the unbyassed
judge.

This arlutrary proud person I^eyslrr having thus far exalted himself above his brethren
disdains to own his very kindred miless they will entitle him Lieutenant Governour nor will
he free them from his Bullet-hole on any other terms.

A plain demonstration of this he hath given by liis late carriage to M' Lucas Kccrstcad, who
after the usual manner was forced to go to the Fort, when he came before this Usurper, he
softly applies liimself thus to him. Cousin Leysler ic/zr/r is your tvill and j)leasure? At this he
flies out in a great rage How dare you call me Consin ! Then he spoke to him by the name of
Captain, but that would not do, & he was told, that if he gave him not the title of Lieutcnaiit
Governour he would be put among the Bullets. To avoid whicii, he gave him that title, and
was then suffered to go home.

Pts strange this violent man Leysler, who otherwise is so Publick should be at a stand,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 683

when this plain question is put to liim, JVlio gave you this Name! Why cloth he not answer, as
in truth it is, My Godfather W Milborne, and his assistant vain glun/ together villi mi/ Gud-Mvthcr
Ambition, ivho have engaged on my behalf, that I should cleave to the Infernal Prince ^' his works, Hug
and embrace all the pomps and vanities if this wicked world, and as I had hitherto been so, I shall
continue a faithful servant to that black prince of the Air, as long as the many headed beasts the rude
multitude ivould stand by 7ne.

To sum up all, we readily submit the decision of this question to the considerate peruser of
the foregoing lines, whether those branded by Lcysler as King James his men, or himself and
his rude crew, deserve that title most?

Sure we are, that upon a serious perusal of the Declaration Entituled, The Declaration of
the Lords Spiritual, and Commons Assembled at Westminister Die Martis 12 February 1CS9.
Several articles therin exhibited against the late King James and declared illegal are and have
been most notoriously committed by this Usurper and his abettors, some whereof we shall
here insert and set down as in the said printed declaration Viz*.

That levying money for or to the use of the Crown, by the pretence of prerogative without grant cf
Parliament for longer time or in other manner than the same is or shall be granted, is illegal

That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive /«ra imposed, nor cruel and
unreasonable punishment inf.icted

That this arrogant man Leysler is palpa])ly guilty of both these branches before recited we
prove thus, Viz

That by his instruments he hath and doth exact ( by pretence of Prerogative and for the use
of the Crown) Customs Impositions and Excise never granted to the Crown; which that he
might the better accomplish, he hath taken upon him to erect a Court of Exchequer, consisting,
as members of the said Court, viz Samuel Edsall, Benjamin Blagg, Johanis Provest, Hcndrick Jansen,
John Cowenhoven who began their session on the 20"" January, the 18"> of the same month
several of the Inhabitants received simimons to appear at this unusual Court on the day above
said, to give their reasons why they would not pay the monies they were indebted to the
King for Custom.

The persons so summoned unanimously made choice of Ar Thomas Clark to appear for
them, who went to the Fort where this Court was sitting, and being admitted he first enquires,
whether any there had a Commission from King WUliam to be Baron of his Exchequer? And if any,
that his Commission might be publickly read and afterwards proceeded to shew the unreasonableness
of their demands ; but all to little purpose, the Court proceeding to enter Judgements against
the Inhabitants for whom he appeared only giving them eight days time to consider, whether
they would voluntarily pay their (illegal) demands, which otherwise would be levied upon
them by distress.

About 4 oClock in the Afternoon of this day, was in some measure verified an expression
our Usurper not long since was pleased to utter to a person of good reputation in this Province
who enquiring of him By what power he did such Actions ? To whom he answered. That he icas
invested with such a iwwer, as in a little time he could command the Head of any man in the Province,
and it would be forthwith brought him. Something like hereunto was this day fulfilled; for giving
command to William Churchill and several Soldiers with him, assisted by several of the
Inhabitants of this City, namely Abraham Brazier, Abraham Clomp, fVil Tomber, and divers
others, they go to the House of Colonel Nicholas Bayard and by force of Arms entered the same,
breaking open several doors and locks, in order to the seizure of the said Colonel Bayard, wliom

684

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

(as some of them said) they were ordered to take dead or alive. Colonel Baijard for his own
security liad left his own house and was gotten into his Neighbours, near his back-side, viz one
M'' Ridianl Elliot a Cooper, whose house in like manner by Churchill Sc his Attendants was
broken open, where they laid hold of Colonel Buijard and in a most abusive manner dragg'd
him to the Fort. In this riotous tumult was stoln out of the house of the said Elliot, three
silver spoons.

But the unlimited will of this violent rapacious Usurper, was not yet satisfied with the
taking and imprisoning Colonel Bmjard, nor his malice thereby fully answered, for in like
manner he vents his fury against Stqihanvs Van Curtlandt, late Mayor of this City whose house
likewise was broken open and most of his doors and Locks spoiled though they were frustrated
of their design, by his escaping out of their cruel hands for that time.

Also M'' William Nicols was laid hold on by the men of BrcucJde at the Ferry-house on Long
Idand, and was brought over in the Evening and carried to the Fort. The next morning the
Ferry man was in like manner brought to the Fort, where these three subjects of their Majesties
are illegally imprisoned, and with whom how barbarously they intend to deal. Time will
best discover.

We shall end this our Declaration and Protestation narratively set down by naming the
principal authors of our principal miseries, which are these Ibllowing, viz*

Jacob Lcijslcr.

Jacob Milbornc

Samuel Edsull

J)'' Geo BecAman of Flaclibus,

Bete?- Dc Lanoy,
D'' Samuel States
Tho' Jniliams
Jno Coweiihoirn.

Bcnj Blagg
Hend^ Jansen
IlemV Cuyler,

Against whom we wait a fair opportunity legally to proceed dated in New York 21. Jani'
A. D. 1(390.

¥1X1S.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 685

Instructions fu)' Colonel Henry SIoiKjlder^ Governor of X^cw-YorJ:.

[Ni-w-York Entry, II. 2-.'3. ]

Instructions for cm- Trusty and Welbeloved Henry Sloughter Esq" Our Captain
General and Governor in Chief in and over our Province of New York and
the Territories depending thereon in America

With these our Instructions you will receive our Commission' under our Great Seal of
England constituting you our Capt" General and Governor in Chief of our Province of New
York and the Territories depending thereon in America

You are therefore to fit yourself with all convenient speed and to repair to our Province of
New York in America. And being arrived there you are to take upon you the execution of the
Place @ Trust we have reposed in you and forthwith to call together the members of our
Council for that our Province by name, Frederick Flypson, Stephen Courtland, Nicholas
Bayard William Smith, Gabriel Mienvielle, Chidley Brooke, William Nichols, Nicholas De
Meyer, Francis Rambouls, Thomas Willett, William Piiahorn, John Haines

You are with all due and usual solemnity to cause our said Commission under our great
seal of England constituting you our Captain General and Governor in Chief as aforesaid, to
be published in our said Province.

You are also to administer uuto each of the members of the Council as well the Oaths
appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy
and the Test, as the Oath for the due execution of their places of Trust

You are to communicate unto our said Council from time to time such and so many of our
Instructions as you shall find convenient for our service to imparted unto them

And 3'ou are to permitt the members of our Council to have and enjoy freedom of debate &
vote in all things to be debated of in Council

Aud allthough by our Commission aforesaid, Wee have thought fitt to direct that any three
of our Councillors make a Qiiurum, it is never the less Our v/ill and Pleasure that you do
not act with a Quorum of less than five members, unless iu case of necessity

And that we may be alwaies informed of the names of persons fitt to supply y' Vacancys of
our Council in New-York, you are to transmitt unto us and to the Lords of our Privy Councill
appointed a Committee of Trade and Foreign Plantation with all convenient speed the names
and Characters of six Persons Inhabitants of our said Province and Territories whom you
shall esteem the best qualified for that Trust, and so from time to time when any of them
shall die, depart out of our said Province or become otherwise unfitt, you are to supply the
first number of six persons by nominating others to us in their Stead

You are from time to time to send us and our Committee of Trade aud Plantations the names
and qualities of any members by you put into our said Couucil by the first couveniency after
your so doing

In the Choice and nomination of the members of our Councill as also of the Principal
Officers, Judges, Assistants, Justices & Sheriffs you are alwaies to take care that they be men of
estate and ability and not necessitous People or much in Debt. Aud that they be persons well
affected to Our Governm'

' See ante p. 623. The offieiiil Commission is recorded iu the Secretary of State's Office, Albany, iu Book of Commissions,
II., 3. It bears date 4th January, 1690. — El).

(386 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

You are not to suspend the Members of our Couucill without good and sufficient cause, and
in case of suspension of any of them, you are forthwith to transmitt unto us and to our s^
Committee your reasons for so doing together with tlie Charge and Proofs against tlie said
Persons, and their answers thereunto

You are to transmitt authenticli Copies under the puhlicli Seal of all Lawes, Statutes and
Ordinances which at any time shall he made @ enacted within our said Province unto us and
our Committee for Trade and Plantations within three months or sooner after their being
enacted together with Duplicates thereof by the next conveyance upon pain our Highest
Displeasure, and of the Forfeiture of tlial years Salary, wJierein you shall at any time, or
upon any pretence wliatsoever omitt to send over tiie said Lawes and ordinances as aforesaid
within the time aliove liniitted.

You are not to pass any Act or Order in any case for levying money and inflicting Fines and
Penalties, whereby the same shall not be reserved to us for such Publick uses as by the said
Act or Order shall be directed

And we do particularly require and conunand, tiiat no money or value of money whatsoever
be given or granted by any Act or Order of Assembly, to any Governor, Lieutenant Governor
or Commander in Chief of Our said Province which shall not according to the stile of Act of
Parliament in England be mentioned to be given and granted unto us, with the humble desire
of such Assembly tliat the same be applied to the use and hehoofe of such Governor,
Lieutenant Governour, or Connnander in Chief, if we shall so think fitt. Or if we shall not
approve of such guift or application, that the said money or value of money be then disposed
of and appropriated to sucli other uses as in the said Act or order shall be mentioned. And
that from the time the same shall be raised, it remain in the hands of tlie Collector or Receiver
of our said Province untill our Pleasure shall be known therein

And for as much as great prejudice may happen to our service and the security of our said
Province by your absence, for prevention thereof you are not to presume upon any pretence
whatsoever to be absent from your Government witiiout first having obtained leave for so
doing from Us under our sign Manual and signet, or by our Order in our Privy Councill

And as we are willing in the best manner to provide for the support of the Government of
our said Province by setting appart sufficient allowances to our Lieutenant Governor, or
Commander in Chief, residing ibr the time being within the same Ouii will and Pleasure is,
that when it shall hajjpen that you shall be absent from thence, one full moiety of the Salary
@ of the Perquisites and iMnoiunicnts whatsoever which would otlierwise become due unto
you, shall during the time of your absence, be paid and satisfied unto such Lieutenant
Governor or Commander in Chief who shall be i-esident upon the Place for the time being
which we do iiereby order @ allott unto him for his better maintenance, and for the sup})ort of
dignity of that our (jovernment

You sliall not suffi'r any publick money whatsoever to be issued or disposed of otherwise
than by Warr' under your liand, Ijy and with tiie advice and consent of the Council

You are to cause tlie accomiits of all sucii money or value of money attested by you to be
transmitted every half year to our Connnittee of Trade (a) foreign Plantations, and to our
commission"'' of our Treasury or our High Treasurer for the time being, wherein siiall be
specified every particular suuinie raised (U- disposed of, togetiier witli tlie names of the Persons
to wlunii any Payment, shall be made, and for what uses, with sulliriciit vouchers for every
payment, to the end we may be satisfied of the right and due ai)plication of the Uevenues of
our said Province and the Territories depending thereon

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 687

You shall not remitt any Fines or Forfeitures above the sum of Ten pounds before or after
sentence given, nor dispose of any escheats, whatsoever until you shall have first signified unto
us y^ nature of the offence or occasion of such Fines, Forfeitures and escheats with the
particular Summes or value thereof which you are to do with all speed unto our Commissioners
of our Treasury or our High Trearer for the time being, and luitill you shall have received
our directions therein ; but you may in the mean time suspend the Payment of the said Fines
and Forfeitures

And you are particiilarly not to pass any Law, or do any Act by grant settlement or otherwise
whereby our Revenue nuiy he lessened or Impaired without our special leave or Command
therein

You are to require the Secretary of our said Province or his Deputy for the time being to
provide Transcripts of all such Acts or Puhlick Orders as shall be made from time to time
together with a copy of the Journalls of the Councill and Assembly to the end the same may
be transmitted unto us, and to our Committee of Trade and Foreign Plantations, which he is
duly to perform upon Pain of incurring the Forfeiture of his Place

You shall transmitt unto Us by the first opportunity a ISIapp with the exact description of
the whole Territory under your Governm' with the several Plantations upon it As also the
Fortifications, And you are likewise to send a List of all Officers Imploy* under your Governm'
together with all publick Charges, and an ace' of the present Revenue, with the probability of
the Increase or Diminution thereof under every head or Article thereof

You shall not displace any of y^ Judges, Justices, Sheriffs or other officers or ministers
within our said Province of New- York, without good and sufficient cause, to be signified unto
Us, and to our Committee of Trade & Plautacons. And to prevent arbitrary Removalls of
Judges @ Justices of the Peace, you are not to express any Limitation of time in the
Commissions which you are to grant to fitt persons for those Imployments, nor shall you
execute yourself or by Deputy any of the said offices nor suffer any Person to execute more
offices than one by Deputy

You shall not by Coulour of anj' Power or Authority granted or mentioned to he granted
unto you, take upon you to give, grant or dispose of any office or Place within our said Province
which is or shall be granted under the Great Seal of England, any further than that you may
upon the Vacancy of any such office or Place or Suspension of anj'^ such Officer by you, putt in
any Person to officiate in the Intervall imtill you shall have represented the matter unto Us,
which you are to do by the first opportunity, and that our Pleasure be thereupon signif'' mito
you

You sjiall not erect any Court or Office of Judicature not before erected or establish'd without
our special order

You are to transmitt unto us with all convenient speed aparticular account of all Establishments
of Jurisdictions Courts, offices and officers, I'owers, Autliorities, Fee @ Priviledges, granted or
settled within our said Colony to the end you may receive our especiall directions therein

You shall likewise take especiall care with the advice and consent of our said Councill, to
Regulate all Salaries & Fees belonging to Places or Paid upon Emergencies, that tliey be within
the Bounds of Moderation, And that no exaction be made upon any occasion whatsoever

Whereas wee conceive it very necessary for our Service, that there be an Attorney Geuerall
appointed and settled, who may at all times take care of our Rights and Interests within our
said Province, you are with all convenient speed, to nominate and appoint a fit Person for that
Trust

688 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And whereas it is necessary that all our Rights and Dues be received and recovered, and
that speedy and effectual Justice be administered in all Cases concerning our Revenue, you
are to take care that a Court of exchequer be called and do meet at all such times as shall be
needful. And you are to inform Us and our Committee for Trade and I'lantations, upon 3'our
arrivall at iNew-York, whether our Service may require that a constant Court of Exchequer be
settled and establislied there

You siiall take care that (iod Ahuighty be devoutly and duly served throughout your
Government, The Book of Common Prayer as it is now establislied, read each Sunday and
Holyday, and the blessed Sacrament administered according to the rites of the Church of
England, You shall be carefull that the Churches already built there, shall be well and orderly
kept @ more built as tlie Colony shall by Gods blessing be improved, and that besides a
competent maintenance to be assigned to the Ministers of each Orthodox Church a convenient
house to be built at the common charge for each Minister, and competent proportion of Land
assigned him for a Glebe and exercise of his Industry

You are to take care that the Parishes be so limitted and settled as you shall find most
convenient for the accomplishing this Good work

Our will and Pleasure is, That no Minister be preferred by you to any Ecclesiastical
Benefice in tliat our Province without a Certificate from the Right Reverend the Bishop of
London, of his being conformable to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England
and of a Good life & conversation

And if any Person preferred already to a Benefice siiall appear to you to give scaudal either
by his Doctrine or Manners you are to use tlie best meanes for the removall of him and to
supply the vacancy in such manner as we iiave directed. And also our Pleasure is, tliat in the
direction of all Church aff'airs the minister be admitted into the respective Vestrys

And to the end tlie Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the said Bishoj) of London may take place
in that our Province as far as conveniently may be. We do think fitt that you give all
Countenance and encouragement in the exercise of the same, excepting only to the collating to
Benefices, Granting Licences for marriages @ Probates of Wills, which we have reserved to
you our Governor, and to the Commander in chief for the time being

You are to take especial care that a Table of Marriages established by the Canons of the
Church of England be hung up in all Orthodox Churches and duly observed

We do further direct that no School Master be hencefbrtii permitted to come from England
& to keep school within our Province of New York without the Licence of the said Bishop of
London and that no other Person now there, or that shall come from other parts be admitted
to keep school without your Licence first had

You are to take care Drunkenness & Debauchery, swearing and Blasphemy be severely
punished, and that none be admitted to Publick Trust and Imployment, whose ill Fame and
Conversation may bring scandall thereupon

You are to take care that no mans life. Member, Freehold or Cioods be taken away or harmed
in our said Province, otherwise than by established and known Laws, not repugnant to, but as
much as conveniently may be agreeable to the Lawes of this our Kingdome of England

You are to permitt appeals to us in Council, in all cases of Fines Imposed for Misdemeanors,
Provided the Fines so imposed, exceed the \'alue of Two hundred Pounds, The Appelant
first giving good security y' he will effectually prosecute the same and answer tiic condemnation,
if the sentence by which such Fine was imposed siiall be affirmed

You shall administer or cause to be administered, the Oaths appoint'' I)y Act of Parliament,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 689

to be taken instead of the Oaths of allegiance and Supremacy and the Test, to the members &
officers of our Councill to all Judges and Justices and all other Persons that hold any office in
our said Province by vertue of any Patent under our Great Seal of England or our Seal of our
Province of New York

And you are to permitt a liberty of Conscience to <ill Persons (except Papists) so they be
contented with a qurt and Peaceable enjoyment of it, not giving offence or scandall to the
Government

You shall take care that all Planters and Christian Servants, be well and fitly provided with
Arms, and that thej' be listed under officers and when and as often as you shall think fitt,
mustered and Trained, whereby they may be in a better readiness for the defence of our said
Province under your Government

And you are to take especial care that neither the frequency nor unreasonableness of remote
Marches, Musters and trainings be an unnecessary Impediment to the aifairs of the Inhabitants

You shall take an Inventory of all Arms, Ammunition and Stores, remaining in any of our
Magazines or Guarizons in our said Province and of those now sent thither and transmitt and
Accompt of them yearly to Us by one of our Principal Secretarys of State and to our Committee
for Trade and Plantations

You are also to demand an Accompt of what other Arms and Ammunition have been bought
with the publique monies or otherwise for the Service of our Province, and the same to
transmitt unto Us as aforesaid

You are to take especial care y' fit Storehouses be settled throughout our said Province for
receiving and keeping of Arms, Ammunition & other Publique Stores

Whereas yon have Represented imto us, that it will be necessary to enlarge, the Fortifications
of Albany @ to make others at Schonectade, to prevent the Incursions of the French and their
Indians from Canada you are with the Advice of the Council to raise such Forts, Castles or
Platforms at Albany Schonectade or other Places within your Government as you shcill find
requisite for this service. Provided the Charges thereof be defrayed out of our Revenue
arising in New York or by contribution of the Inhabitants

In case of distress of any of our Plantations, you shall upon application of the respective
Governors thereof to you, assist them with what aid the condition and safety of your
Government can permit

And that we may be better Informed of the Trade of our said Province you are to take care
that due entries be made in all Parts of all Goods and Commodities, Imported and exported
from thence and from and to what places they come and goe, and that a yearly Accompt thereof
be transmitted bj- you imto us, by one of our principal Secretaries of State, to our
Commissioners of our Treasury, or our high Trear for the time being, and to our Committee
for Trade @ foreign Plantations

You are from time to time to give an Accompt as aforesaid, what strength your bordering
Neighbours have (be they Indians or Otherwise) by sea and Land, and what Correspondence
you do keep with them

And whereas we are informed that some of the Colonies adjoining to our said Province under
colour of Grants, or upon some other groundless pretences, endeavour to obstruct the Trade of
New York and Albany you are not to suffijr any Innovation within the River of New York, nor
any goods to pass up the same, but what shall have paid the Duties at New York, to the end the
Chief benefit of that Trade may be preserV* to the Inhabitants and Traders of New York &
Vol. III. 87

690 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Albany, the same being agreeable to the Lawes of our said Province and to former Practice as
well as necessary for the Collecting those Ciistomes and other duties which are to be raised for
the support of the Government there. And in case you find the Inhabitants of East Jersey
have any other way of Trading with the Indians than by the said River of New York, you are
to use your Endeavours to prevent the same and to give Us advice thereof, with your opinion
what is to be done therein

You are to encourage the Indians upon all occasions, so as that they may apply themselves to
the English Trade and Nation rather than to any others of Europe and you are to call before
you the five Nations or Cantons of Indians, Viz' the Maquaes, Sinecas, Cayouges, Oneides, and
Onondagues, and upon their renewing their submission to our Government, you are to give them
our Royall Presents which we have caused to be provided for them, assuring them in our name
that we will protect them as our subjects against the French king and his subjects. And when
any opportunity sliall offer for jjurchasing great Tracts of Land for Us from the Indians for
small summes, you are to use your discretion therein, as you shall judge for the convenience or
advantage which may arise unto Us by the same

You are to suppress the Ingrossing of Commodities tending to the Prejudice of that freedome,
which Commerce @ Trade ought to have, and to settle such orders and regulacons therein with
the advice of our Council, as may be most acceptable to the Inhabitants

You are to give all due encouragement and invitation to Merchants @ others who shall bring
Trade unto our said Province or any way contribute to the advantage thereof. In particular to
the Royal African Company of England. And you are to take care that there be no trading
from the Province of New York to any place in Africa within the Charter of the Royall African
Company, and 3'ou are not to suffer any shipps to be sent thither without their leave and
authority.

You are carefully to observe all y" Articles contained in tlie Treaty for composing of
differences restraining Depredations and establishing of Peace in America concluded at Madrid
the -i\ day of July 1G70 with the Crown of Spain, an authentick Copie whereof you will
herewith receive And in case of any private Injury or Damage which shall be suffered or
done to any of our subjects in those Parts by the subjects of the King of Spain or if any other
Prince or State in Amity with Us, you shall take care to give us an account thereof with all
convenient speed, and not to permit or encourage a reparation thereof to be sought in any other
way than what is directed and agreed on by the said Treaties. And whereas we are informed
of great disorders and Depredations daily committed by Piratts and others to the Prejudice of
our Allies, contrary to the Treaties between us and the good correspondence which ought to be
maintained between Christian Princes & States, you are to take care such a Law, a copie
whereof is herewith sent mito you, be passed within our Province of New York, which you are
to transmitt unto Us by the first opportunity

Wheueas we think fitt for the better administration of Justice, that a Law be passed wherein
shall be set the Value of Mens Estates either in Goods or Lands, under which they shall not be
capable of Serving as Jurors, you are therefore by the first opportunity of transmitting any
Laws hither for our approbation to prepare and send one to that purpose

You are with the assistance of our Council to find out the best meanes to facilitate and
encourage the conversion of Negroes and Iiufians to the Christian Religion

You are to endeavour with the assistance of our Comicil, to provide for the raising of @
building of Publique Work Houses in couveuieut Places for the Employing of poor and
indigent People

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 691

Our Will and Pleasure is that you do take to j'ourself as Governor, the summe of Six
Hundred Pounds Sterling P. Ann. out of the Revenue arising in our said Province And that
you cause to be paid out of the said Revenue to the several officers both Civil and Military
such Salaries and allowances as have been usually paid unto them, until you shall receive
our further Directions therein

You shall not upon any pretence whatsoever perniitt any alteration to be made in the value
of the Currant Coyne, either foreign or belonging to any of our Dominions without having
first signified unto Us the reasons for so doing and Received our Pleasure therein

You are to take care that all Writts be issued in our Royal names throughout our said
Province and Territories depending thereon

For as much as great Inconvenience may arise by the liberty of Printing within our
Province of New- York you are to provide by all necessary orders that no person keep any
Press for Prints nor that any book Pamphlet or other matters whatsoever be printed without
our special leave and license be first obtained

Lastly. If any thing shall happen that may be of advantage and Securitj' to our said
Province, which is not herein, or by our Commission provided for Our Will and Pleasuke
IS, and we hereby allow unto you with the advice and consent of our Council!, to take Order
for the present therein, giving us speedy notice thereof, that so you may receive our
Ratification if we shall approve of the same. Provided alwaies that you do not by Colour
of any Power or Authority hereby given you, Commence or declare War, without our
knowledge and Command therein, except it be against Indians upon emergencies wherein the
consent of our Council shall be had, and speedy notice thereof given unto Us. And you are
upon all occasions to send unto us by one of our Principal Secretaries of State and the Lords
of our Privy Councill appointed a Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantacons a particular
Account of all your Proceedings and 'of the Condition of Affairs withiu your Government
Given at our Court at Whitehall
the 3V^ day of January 1GS9
In the first year of our Reign

By His Mat^' Command.

Warrant to pay a Cliaplain and other Officers for JSFeio - Yorh

[New-Tork Entry, II. 248.]

Whereas. We have thought fit to make and Pass an Establishment for two foot companies
to be employd in our Province of New York in America to be paid out of the monies
appointed for the Pay of the Land Forces within our Kingdome of England according to the
Rates therein mentioned. And being informed that there will accrue a surplusage of Five
hundred and fifty three pounds Four shillings and Eleven Pence or there abouts, at the rate of
thirty P: Cent by the difference of the money or value of money currant in our said Province.
Our Will and Pleasure is, hereby further to appoint a Chaplain for the said Two Companies
at the rate of six shillings and eight Pence P. Diem. A Chirurgeon at Two shiUings and Six

692 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

pence P. Diem. A Store Keeper, Armourer, Master Gunner and two Matrosses for the
Guarisons there at two shilHngs P. Diem each, the whole charge amounting to sum of Three
hundred forty nine pounds fifteen shillings and ten pence P. Ann. which Chaplain, Chirurgeon,
Store Keeper, Armourer, Master Gunner and Matrosses, We do hereby charge and direct you,
or the Commander in Chief of our said Province for the time being to cause to be satisfied out
of the said Surplusage of money that shall arise by paying of the Officers and Soldiers of the
said Two Foot Companies As also the Chaplain Chirurgeon, Store Keeper, Master Gunner and
JNIatrosses, in the money that is or shall be currant, within our said Province and not otherwise.
And that you apply the overplus being two Hundred and three pounds nine shillings and one
penny, or thereabouts to the use of our said Companies, and Guarisons, Giveing a constant
accompt of your Proceedings herein to the Lords of our Privy Councill appointed a Committee
for Trade and Plantations and to our Commissioners of our Treasury or our High Trear for
the time being And for Soe doing this shall be your Warrant. Given at our Court at Whitehall
The thirteentli day of March in the second year of our Reign

By His Ma'^' Command

Will Blathwayt

To our Trusty and welbeloved
Henry Sloughter Esq' Capt"
Generall and Governor in Chief
of our Province of New York, @
the Territories depending thereon
in America. And to the Gov''
or Commander in Chief thereof for
the time being.

Memorial of the Agents from AJlamj, cC'(;\, to the Government of Connecticut.

[New -York Papers, UL 3, B. 20.]

Memorial delivered to the Honorable Governor and Council of Their Majesties'
Colony of Connecticutt by Rob' Livingstone and Capt : Gerrite Teunise
Agents Commissionated by the Convention of Albanie and Cap' Thomas
Garton sent from the County of Ulster.

Wee have yesterday given yo"" Honors an account of the State of afiiiires with us and in
whatt danger Albanie is in if nott speedily assisted by our neighbours we of ourselves and tiiey
of N. Yorke whatever they pretend are nott able to maintaine y' part of their Maj" Territory
without a considerable supply of men and provisions and since wee now understand by the
French prisoners taken by the Maquase y' the French of Canida are intended to make an assault
upon Albanie with a considerable body of French and Indians early in the Spring for which
purpose they have ifatt bottomed boates canoes and engines of war ready by which means they
will bring the 5 Nations or Cantons of Indians to trucle under them who have hitherto proved

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIT. 693

faithfull to the English Crowne y^ sigiiall tokens whereof being now suffieiently demonstrated
by their killing and taking nineteen french and Indians of y' party y' committed y' Massacre
at Shinnectady and thatt with the loss of four of their men.

And perceiving by yo' Honors letters to the Gent, of Albanie y' upon the Inductions of Cap'
Leyslers Agents (whom wee- concluded were come here for more assistance) yo"' hon" draw of
the forces sent there last fall for assistance as if y' men which s"* Leysler engages to send up
were sufficient to resist the force of Canida we must conclude y' Cap' Leysler must be very
ignorant of affairs with us to strive to have the forces there drawne of else has some by ends
w"^"- we are afraid will prove destructive and extreame dangerous to their Ma"^' affairs att
Albanie and doe therefore in their behalfe of their Maj" Subjects in the Citty and County of
Albany desire & request

istiy That yo'' Hon" would be pleased to raise 200 brisk young men with all expedition to
defend Their Maje" King William and Queen Mary'ff Interest att Albany and to joyne upon
occasion with our young men and goe out along with the Indians to annoy the French off"
Canida and keep them in a continual! alarnie till such times things be in readiness to invade
them both by sea and land

gndiy Since nothing can be more dangerous than raysing jealousies among the Indians att
present w^ho continuall}' presse for assistance from hence, That an express be sent witii all
Speed to Albany to stop Capt: Bull's drawing of the men till a considerable Garrison be in the
Citty for itts sufficient defence against the French which cannott be less than five hundred meu
besides the 140 Inhabitants that live in y' City.

3'''"^ Since wee are informed y' M"' Milborn goes up with a party of Men from New Yorke
to overthrow the goverm' of the City of Albany and turn all upside downe and in all
probabillity remove those Gentlemen of the Convention with whom y" Indians of the 5 Nations
do keep their correspondence and covenant chain as they call it all w'='' we fear may prove fatall
in such a juncture wee desyre y' yo"' hon" would be pleased to putt a stop to such dangerous
])roceedings till our neighbours of Boston be informed of all afiaires who advised us in their last
letter that they had written to Capt: Leysler to forbear those measures which occasion us soe
much disturbance since yo' hon" may be assured that the Convention of Albany who aim att
nothing butt the publick good will be willing to submitt to any thing that ever shall be thought
expedient and requisite by the neighbouring Colonies who have no small interest in the
preservation of y' place from confusion securing the 5 Nations to pursue the present Warr

4''' That the Gent of Albany as well those who are of Leysler's Party as those who are nott
satisffied of his having the authority which he assumes to himself have unanimously sent an
agent to N. Yorke praying them to lay aside all animosities and private differences and contests
and joyne heart and hand with all might and force against the Common ennemy and to send
up what men provisions they can procure for maintaining and defending their Maj'" King
William and Queen Mary's Interest in these parts hoping they will not take any advantages
att present to promote theire owne Interest but mind the welfare of the Countrey and the
preservation of the Maj" subjects and the opposing of y' common ennemy.

5""'^ Since the people of Albany are so much impoverished by a continuall charge for these
3 years past without any trade or commerce whereby they are rendered incapable of fournishing
the souldiers with provisions Shennectady being destroyed and most of the out plantations
deserted that yo' hon" would be pleased to send a supply of an hundred barrels of porke or
beefe equivalent for the maintaining their Maj" Forces

694 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

6"'''' Since wee plainly see the French of Canida design no less then tlie destruction of their
Maj" interest in these parts of America and y' it is impossible y' their Maj" subjects can
expect any peace or tranquility soe long as the French of Canida bee not subdued it is our
only Interest y' all their Maj" subjects of the United Collouies joyne and procure a considerable
force by sea and land to invade and subdue Canida and to the end itt may be the more speedily
effected since delayes are extream dangerous in such cases we desire y' yo' lion" would be
pleased to depute some Gent" to goe to Boston to consult and joyne with y' Collony who wee
understand are a fitting out Vessels for the purpose that so glorious a work may be caried on
with all cheerfulness and expedition itt being every true Englishmans interest in these parts
to lend their helping hand on such occasions w'^'' will contribiite to our further peace

7"'''' That Yo' hon''" would be pleased to consider the quantity of provisions that will be
requisite for the carrying on y' expedition and w' want there would be if the reaping and
sowing should be obstructed by the enemy (w'^'' God forbid ) hoping y' yo"' hon'* will take
y' fitting care y' yo'' Collony be not drained of so needful a commodity in these dangerous
times

gihiy That yo"" hon'* would be pleased to consider w' we now propose is nott meerlj' for our
own safety l)ut the generall good of all N. England since wee are all embarked in one bottom
and though they who are nearest the fire burn first yett if Albany be destroyed w"" is the
principal land Bulwark in America against the French then there is not only an open road for
French and Indians to make incursions in yo' Hono" Territoryes but the 5 Nations who are
now for us will be forced to turn their ax the other way and how dangerous ytt is none of
the Gent. I suppose are ignorant of

gihiy Wee cannot omit to acquaint y'' hon" whatt wee have observed in our travels through
yo"" Collony how y' the people are generally much inclined and very eager to be employed
against the French w*^*" we hope will the more facilitate yo"" hon" Counc"* and undertakings
begging yo'' bono''' to use all expedition imaginable in soe great a business of import for iff
Canida receive their expected supplies from France we fear itt will be too late to conquer those
enemies to America's Peace

We beg yo'' hon''^ answ'' w"" all convenient speed being designed to hasten our journey to
Boston we remain yo"' hon''^ most obed' Servants

Hartford y« la"" Rob' Livingstone

of March lG5f •■ Gerrite Teuxise

• '• ' Tho* Garton.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 695

Jfemon'al of the Agents from Albany to the Government of Masscichu-setts.

[Xew-Tork Papers, III. B. 22.]

]Meinorial delivered to the Honorable Governouraud Councill and Representatives
of their Majes''' Collony of Massachusetts assembled at a generall Court in
Charles Towne the 20"" day of March IGfl by Robert Livingstone and
Capt: Gerrit Teunice Agents commissionated by the Convention of Civil
and Military officers from the City and County of Albanie and Capt : Thomas
Garton sent from the County of Ulster.

In pursuance of our Commission and Instructions wee have laid the case before yo"' Hon''' in
what condition Albanie and that part of their Majesties dominion is in how the five Nations
westward stand affected and the state of affaires att Canida so far as wee could learn of those
French lately taken by the Maquaes which are the three main points that now ought to be
considered off" and seeing the neighbouring Collouies and wee wholy under God depend upon
yo"' hon" who are only capable in these parts of performing soe glorious a design to subdue the
French of Canida the Enemies to our Religion and Peace wee will therefore offer these following
considerations to be weightily pondered and considered by yo^ Hon" since the preservation of
tlieir Majesties interest in America the welfare of their leidge subjects and our future tranquility
doth chiefly consist therein.

In the first place we must acquaint yC hon" of the mean condition that Albanie is in being
no wayes fortified to withstand y' force of Canida which we understand the French design to
bring against us early in the spring which being subdued (as God forbid it should) they not
only procure a peace with y* Maquase and other nations westward (without which wee know
they cannot subsist all Canida having confess'd as much themselves) but will compel the five
Nations to bend the force towards their Majesties subjects and to joyn with tiie French in all
their wicked designs and enterprizes.

ondiy To prevent which since wee of the Province of N. York are not able to maintaine y'
part of their Maj« Territory without a considerable supply of men and provisions wee desire
that yo"' bono" would be pleased to raise five hundred brisk young men with all convenient
speed to goe for Albany with provisions y' is beefe and porke (corne being there) and amunilion
with suitable Clothes stockings Indian Shoes &'^ fit for such an expedition which joyning w"" y^
men sent from N. York some to Garrison s"* place some to goe out with our young men and
Indians to annoy the French of Canida and to keep them in a continuall alarm y' they break
not out to doe mischeif to their Maj" subjects in these Dominions.

3""^ That yo' Honors would be pleased to supply us with a good Ingenier to lay out
Fortifications and contrive how the City of Albany may be better fortified as also with ten or
twelve good guns and some experienced men in gunnery which wee want there extreamly and
cannot expect to be supplied with them from N. York.

4'hiy Your Hon" are sensible y' y^ Indians being employed in the war against the French
which they take to be our war not theirs (since peace is tendered them) doth bring a
considerable charge along w* itt and cannot be effected without dayly supplying them w""
what they want wee pray that Yo' Honors would contribute four or five hundred pounds worth
of Indian goods such as Dutfles Stroudes White oezenbriggs Blanketts lead Cutlasses k." to be
disposed of to s"* Indians by such person as Yo' Hon" shall think meet to appoynt by the

G96 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

advice of the Gent" of Albania all which charge wee doubt not in the least butt will be allowed
and reimbursed by our Gracious Leige Lord King William

gihiy -pi^g v^ray to secure the five nations is to joyne them in the prosecution of the war
against the French since wee cannott nor must not expect they will goe out alone as they did
formerly they seing y' it is our war now and although thej' have given sufficient testimonies
of their fidelity by piirsuing takeiug & killing nineteen French and Indians y' committed the
Massacre att Shinctady with the loss of four of their men yet wee must not too much depend
upon J'' but have Christians continually along with them which v^'ill prevent the French having
any opportunity of treating with them

gihiy Wgg found y' the French gained much upon the Indians by sending their Clergymen
amongst them not so much to convert their soules as their bever and other trade to Canida ;
yet by theire familiarity and continuall converse insinuated into the minds of the Heathen and
prevailed much wee move y' yo' hon" be pleased to persuade some of your young divines to
undertake to instruct the Indians especially y* Maquase in the true Protestant Religion since
divers have an inclination to itt One being by the great pains and industry of Our Minister
Dom: Dellius brougiit soe far y" he made his pubJick confession in the Church at Albany to
every body's admiration and was baptized accordingly.

7'y Wee are much grieved to think of the factions and divisions att Albany and in other parts
of the Province of N. Yorke occasioned by Capt: Leysler assuming to himself the Authority
to command in chiefe withoute any Ord"' or Commission from our dread sovereign King
William soe to doe as ever wee could see, nay after all enquiry imaginable we caunott so much
as procure a Copy of their Majesty' Letters sent to Capt: Nicholson by M'' Kiggs commanded
from him by said Leysler who were directed in Capt: Nicholson's absence to such as for the
time being take care for the preserving of the peace and administering of the laws in their
Maj" province of N. Yorke tlie s'' Leysler's Agents having refused a Coppy of s'^ Letters to
Gov"" Treat and the Gent" of Connecticutt neither can we learn y' yo'' Hon" have itt so y' we
have reason to believe nott only they cannott belong to him but y' they continue protestants
Majestrates in their respective functions till his Maj'^ shall take further ord' to settle us neither
will y' s"* Leysler hearken or adhere to the wholesome admonitions given him by Yo' Hon" to
leave off" those measures which occasioned so much disturbance but on the contrary hath fully
concluded and is now about to subvert the Government of Albanie to remove the Mayor and
otiier Majestrates with whom the five nations w^estward have soe frequently renewed their
covenant chain since these revolutions which doeings will render us so mean and despicable in
the eye of the Heathen y' wee have reason to fear they will side with the French and no ways
depend on us as fornu'rlv- Those things being of most dangerous consequence mooved us to
implore the favour of the Goverm' and Coun' of Connecticut to send an express away in all
speed to Albanie to stop Capt: Bulls coming away with his Comp'' and Leysler's proceedings
there till wee had given yo' hon" to understand our condition but they having gave positive
orders to Capt: Bulls to draw off" his men upon y'' arrivall of the N. Yorke forces did not
grant our request so y' wee feare there is either bloodshed or a greatt confusion att Albanie
and since yo' hon'^ have no small iutrest in the preservation of that place and the 5 Nations
from confusion and ruine att such a jimcture when all ought to be unanimous against the
common ennemy and perceiving that yo' hon" seem all to be enclined y' wee should submitt
to Capt: Leysler's power for the present Authority wee cannot say because he hath none from
his sacred Majesty King William our Leidge Lord, if he hath itt wee are of opinion he is

LONDON DOCUMENTS: Vll. G97

much to blame never to make itt knowne to us since his IMaj*"' gracious k'tter to your lion" is
published to the whole world so we beg thatt yo" hon" would be pleased to use such proper
means and methods whereby the publick good and welfare of their Rlaj" subjects may be
preferred and y* their Maj" leidge people of the City and County of Albanie and County of
Ulster whether Officers or private persons may remain unmolested in their persons and estates
from Capt: Leysler or his associates and that they may have the privilege to answer what he
or any of his party can lay to their charge as soon as a Govern'' or particular orders from his
most sacred Maj'' King William shall arrive and nott to be dealt withall so cruelly as wee hear
severall of our protestant friends and fellow subjects are att N. York declaring as wee told the
Gent" of Connecticott thatt wee are willing to submitt to whatever shall be thought expedient
and requisite by yo' hou" in such an extremity doubtless yo"' hon''^ linde by experience y' there
is neither pleasure nor satisfaction to be in office in such times as wee now live in. Wee have
exhausted for the publick to keepe all in due order thinking every day a settlement will come
w'^'' God send speedily and nothing would be more welconi to us than an orderly discharge we
have Indians to deal withal at Albany and wee fear such changes as M' Leysler is now about
there, will raise jealousies. Our Interest and Depeudance is chiefly in the welfare of Albany
and rather tiian liis Majesties affiiires should in the least be neglected we will undergo all the
miseries imaginable and suffer att this juncture hoping God will send a speedy deliverance
when every true protestant subject may have redress wee have left no stone unturned to
procure a good correspondence having sent down an agent on purpose to treat with the Gent,
of N. Yorke praying them to lay aside all animosities differences and private contests and to
joyne heart and hand with us against the common ennemy but we cannot hear y' he has any
wayes prevailed but rather that Leysler is exasperated to proceed in his rash undertakings

gthiy 'Yq come to the main business which is the subduing of Canida uott so difficult as is
represented to people here we conceive itt is of thatt moment that all true protestants subjects
ought to joyne and according to their qualities and capacities to be aiding and assisting in the
same and understanding yo"' hou"'^ are equipping of vessells and sending of men to annoy our
enemies at Port Royall w'"" wee pray may have good success if they pi'oceed butt wee are of
opinion y' such an expedition will not obtain our aim and therefore if it could be possibly
effected the only way is to strike at the head by taking Quebeck and then all the rest must
follow and many will be glad to see that day for they never can live worser than they doe now,
their force wee know and the terrour y' our Indians will putt them in dayly wee are sensible
of, so y' by making a good appearance of Christians and Indians by land will draw the
priucipall force up to Mont Royall and so facillitate the taking of Quebec which if once
effected and the French removed every one may sitt down peaceably under their Vine and Fig
trees and plow and sow and reap it quiettness besides the hon' of subduing such a people
declared enemies to our religion and peace and the addition of so considerable a Territory to
the Imperial Crown of England ought to be a great encouragement May itt please yo'' hou"''
this is the time to effect itt, if ever itt be done wee fear never the like advantage will occur
if they gett their expected supplyes from France itt will be too late and now the grand
Councill of Yo'" hon""' Collony sitting wee hope they will make itt their only business to raise
men and money and fitt out with all expedition for soe glorious an enterprise and those
Vessels and men thatt are ready will be of good stead to cleere the coaste as they goe and stop
the river of Canida till the other vessells be fitted to goe and joyne with them for if they
should attaque Port Royall it would only awaken our enemies to fortifie themselves and putt

Vol. III. 8S

G98 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

them in a lietter posture of defence and soe obstruct the main business therefor wee hope
yo'' hon" will direct the Councills to obtaine tlie wliole and wliat will not the Countrej'man
be willing to give to such Fathers of their Countrey to such persons thatt accomplish soe
noble a designe doubtless the late Indian War is nott forgott what mines and desolations itt
did occasion butt now a worse ennemy must be expected French worse tiian Heathens
will be disturbers of our peace and they once being subdued all Indians in America must
submitt and pay homage to y* English Crowne and wee have observed in our travells both
through this and the neighbouring Collony y' the people are extream willing to be employed
ags' the French our Indians doe tender their service by land to joyne with the English and
alsoe to make canoes to carry men and provision and doe whatt in them lyes. They long to
see itt goe on and wee have more reason than they for this countrey is not for warring wee
have no walled Townes nor Bulwarks wee pray Yo"' hon" and Gent. Representatives to take
itt into consideration we are ten men to one in Canida if every body help a little according
to their abilities the business will be effected tis better to give ten pounds to save an hundred
than of one hundred pounds ten the enemy can soon destroy and have already as much as
will pay for such an expedition we have felt the smart of itt already and wee pray God itt
may rest there v^^hich cannot be expected itt is better to maintain men to kill the enemy
than to maintain the poor woemen and Children who are droven away by the enemy the
French are generally too quick for us therefore time is precious and lett good use be made of itt
there .are diverse good omens that God Almighty has determined the downfall of Anti-Christ,
in our days this is the only meanes in all probabillity to effect itt in America. Besides
if money and other good plunder can encourage soldiers to perform such a noble design as the
taking of Canida there is good store more than will ten times pay the charge of the expedition.
Itt is now come to thatt pass thatt wee must either speedily conquer them else they will soon
destroy us. Wee beg this honour'''^ Board to take the above"' proposalls into mature
consideration and an answer with all convenient speed y' wee may give an account to the
Gen' y' sent us and to tiie Indians of the 5 Nations tlu^ result of the hon" Councills wee
remain

Your Hon" most obedient Servants

Robert Livingston
Gerritt Teunise.
Thomas Garton.

Mr. L)vl)Kjf<ion to Mr. Fcrgumn.

[Now-Tork I'apcrs, B. l\. S34.]

27. March 1690 Boston.

Honb'" Sir.

It will undoubtedly be a surprise to you to see a line from me especially about aflairs of the
publicke, but the extream good character I have heard of yourselfe and your zeal you have
for the true protestant religion in being so active in our late delivery in conducting our
gracious Liege Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary to the throne, doth embolden
nie to trou!)le you witii the perusal of tlie inclosed |)apt'rN, wliicli will inl'onn you of affairs

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 699

with us, and with all to entreat you to deliver them to their INIaj'"'' Secretary of State, that
speedy care may be taken to settle us, if not already done, else the Country will be lost —
When we received the happy news of Their Majties accession to the Throne it was as
refreshing as a reprieve to the condemned; ueverthelesse we have had the misfortune to live
very uneasy occasioned by one Jacob Leysler a Merchant at New Yorke, whose ambition hath
with the aide of the vulgar prompt'd him up to Command and Domineer over there Maj""
subjects upon pretence of freeing them from arbitrary power, which thanks be to God was done
by a more glorious instrument, wee of Albany have endevoured to keep all quiet there, free
from such revolutions as many of our neighbours have had, resting ourselves satisfyed with
their Majesties gracious proclama'" of the li"' Feb'' 108|- wherein all protestants Sherrifis,
Justice and Collectors are confirmed, but the said Leysler did continually disturbe us, sending
his Emissaries amongst us to incense the people against one another, soe tiiat if Governour
come not speedily, am afraid the Country will be destroyed, but we expect a Governour one
Col: Slaughter for New Yorke every day, which makes us bear withall the more patiently. —

I am informed b)'^ some of our countreymen here that you are acquainted with M' Andrew
Russell of Rotterdam my brother in law, which makes me the more boulde to request that
you would befriend me concerning my disbursements made for the publicke, that orders be
sent by his Maj'^ to settle all affaires of New Yorke having launched most part of my estate
in the year IGSf when Coll: Dongan our late Governour was at Albany for the maintenance
of the Souldiers that opposed the french interest, when they fell upon our Indians and
destroyed there Castles, and were designed if not resisted by that force to have all the five
nations of Indians Westward to Trucle under them. I perceive the King takes particular
notice of it in His Maj''" declaration of War against tlie French King soe that I doubt not but
will be minded. I am out six and twenty hundred pounds, upon that expedition, the
Authentique copies of all my ace''' I sent to M"' Jacob Harwood of London Mercli' my
Correspondent to whom I am considerably indebted and cannot pay it till I gett in my money
— I have been at Albany about 15 years and in continual! employ of Secretary and collector
of that place, and the Genf there have prevailed with me to come as their Agent to these
Colonies of Massachusets and Conetticut, to procure assistance, and they have promised us
tliat we shall have some men from Conetticut Colony speedily, at least they will endeavour to
perswade them to it, and tliey at Boston are fitting out five hundred men by sea to take Port
Royall under the Command of S"' William Phipps, but things are carried on very slow, the
principal reason they give me, why they goe not directly to Quebeck, is because of want of
powder, and therefore they sent an expresse to his Maj'^ to be supplied. I shall not insist at
])resent fearing of Prolixity, begging a line in answer direc^ted to me Merch' at Albany, and
being sent by any Yessell bound for New Yorke or New England will come to hand, and if I
knew it would be acceptable would give you a further ace' of all proceedings with us in the
mean time shall breake off and remain

Honourable Sir

Your most humble and obedient servant

(signed) Rob' Livingston.

P. S. Pray be pleased to seale up the packet after perusall and direct itt to their Maj'"'
principal Secretary of State — I heard it is Mylord Nottingham that is for the forraigne
plantations —

700 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Lieiitenaiit Governor Zieisler to tlie King.

[NfW-Tork ral.iTs, B. 11. 444.]

May it please your Most Excell' Maj'^

By way of Boston we most humbly present your ]Maj''' with our state and condition till
Jan''' the 1G89. by the Right Rev'' father in Cod Gilbert Lord Bishop of Sarum and now
againe prostrate this at your Maj''"'' Royal] feet under the same shelter beseeching your Maj'^
to accept of our sincere, hearty, though weak endevours, and to afford such encouragements
as our case may require and to your princely wisdome shall seeme good beseeching the great
God of blessings, to blesse protect and preserve your Maj"'' in health, long life and prosperity
here and to crowne you with glorious diadem to all eternity we subscribe

Most dread soveraigne
ai*' March 1(390. Your Majesties

tlutitid and obedient subjects,
(signed) Jacob Leisler. Lieu' Govern'

and in the name of the Couucill

Ijieutenaiit Governor Lelsler to tlie Bl^liop of ^alidnu'i].

[Nfw-Tork rai.cTs, B. H. 442.]

31^' March IG'JO.
May it please your Lordsliip.

Tlie foregoing being sent via Boston p'' the Agents for New England which we hope are
safely arrived ere this date, we take leave to add, that a certain village named ydianechtede
24. Miles to the Northward of Albany on Saturday tlie O"" of FeV last about 11. a Clock at
night came 200. French and Indians near 100 each and attacqued the same whilst it snow'd
thick, barbarously destrojing the Inhabitants all l)eing dutch: they murthered GO persons,
and bore away with them 27. prisoners, wounding some others so that there remain but
about one sixth part of them having tiiere cattel, goods and provisions destroyed and wrested
from tiiem, the remnant slieltering themselves at Albany, where is provision made for them
from New Yorke — Being alarmed by the daily expectations of tiie French and Indians
advancing towards us with a considerable number of 2500 french besides their Indians at
Mont Real, endeavouring to obtaine upon the allyed Indians with us, viz' The Macquaes,
Onyedauns, Onondades, Cayougaes, Sinnekaes, and Mahekanders who have es|)oused our
cause, we hav(^ appointed persons to meet them at Albany in few dayes to consult our best
way to intercept tiie Euncmies march ; The Macquaes having given ns proofe of their fidelity
and courage by pursuing tliose wlio destroyed Sclienechtede even near their own home, taking
and slaying twenty five ol them w bo lagged in the reare, and promised to rayse more than
1000 Men of theirs to joine w illi too of ours which we have neare raysed for that intent,
keeping the passe upon the lake with a coiiipaiiy of Indians and Christians in number about
•50. that upon the Enneinyes ajiproach, we may be timely notice, lying about 150 miles

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 701

nortlnvard of Albany which we have fortified, to the best of our power and capacityes, the
fort having 13. canon 10. Barrells of powder and 60 men in garrison, with other habiliments ;
the towne palasadoes round and making breast works within, but want Canon, which we
hope may luckily arrive us before the attack, which if our neighbours of New England
especially Connecticut had but done their part (: by gods helpe) we should feare them, but so
indisposed they are that neare three weekes since Capt" Bull and 80 men which they had
afforded us the winter, were on a suddaine remanded home, contrary to our desires, and broke
our orders by violence, protesting against that proceeding altliough the security of this post is
of alike concerne to them with us, neither wovdd they contribute towards the charge of men
or the Indians to maintaine, and carry on the warr, altho' invited thereunto by persons
commissionated to treat with them therein, but countenanced and entertained malefactors,
charged with treasonable crimes refusing to deliver them up to Justice in the province where
they committed them, contrary to their allegiance to His Maj'J' and duty to a neighbouring
Govern' — Boston have promised some assistance, but we can not depend thereon proposhig a
month's time consult about it, when in the interim we can not assure ourselves, that we shall
not be attacqued, therefore are sending up men and provisions daily ; having committed the
care of that post unto three persons Commissionated by us who we trust will discharge their
duty to God the King and Country ; hoping that a supply of ammunition may arrive us
whereby we may be strengthened and encouraged to secure the frontiers, the welfare of the
whole province soly depending thereon, which, if lost the French will certainly obtaine the
Indians whom they solicte and treat with all by tiieir crafty priests and valuable presents,
makin"- large promises for their encouragement, and bringing them over unto them having
already biggoted some of their superstitions, naming them the prayiiig Indians.

New Yorke considering our state and condition in reference to wealth and people, is in as
good posture as the circumstances can bear, and trust shall be able to repell what force soever
may come by sea against it, having notice of a small Esquadre of french that designe to call
upon us this spring, but that which gives life to us chieftly is the assistance we expect from
His Maj'y. — We are so loudly called upon to supply this worke that courts of judicature are
suspended -until we have compleated what may be afforded to it — The raging spirit of malice
obstructs us much in the neighbouring Colony of East Jersey whither our Chief adversarys fly
for sanctuary and are embraced — Coll: Townly one M"" Emott an Attorney and some more of
their principall members asserting that the Throne of England is not vacant, for that whilst
King James was in France he remained in his owne dominions being annexed to the Crowne,
with many other wicked, petulant, and rebellious notions and Assertions, making the people
believe that the King takes care for those of his late Govern' by his proclamation of Febr^ 14
for continuing all officers in place till farther order (: Papists only excepted:) and that those
who set up his authority in opposition to theirs are to be censured and punished as evill doers,
but God be thanked we have no such mean law, and irreverent thought of His Maj'y trusting
and assuring ourselves that it can not be safer and in all respects more becoming us, than to
be found diligent and faithfull to our most endevours in the service of God and the King, and
what in us lyes to secure and preserve this province and its well being, not doubting but when
His Maj"" farther resolutions shall arrive us that we shall be in capacity humbly fitted and
prepared for them — The Master of this ship named the Prophet Ely as, was bound for Holland
from Curacoa who came unto this port by reason of leake and want of some provisions, havmg
likewise some guns opportunely suiting us, did take take them upon the Kings account, being

702 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

five guns of 12. pound Calaber and three of six pound bullets which we humbly crave may be
made good to him or the west India Comps" of Holland.

If possibly we can raise men for the sea doe intend to send a privateer of 20 guns and
another small vessell to joine with those of Boston to alarm Canada by water if the weather
proves soft for opening tlieir rivers, that by reason of the Ise are yet and will continue a
moneth longer impassable if they do not bestir themselves in good ernest we are in danger of
losing all the King's footing in this part of America, wherefore we have written unto those of
Boston, Virginia and Maryland to send persons to a proper place of rendervouz forthwith to
treat and conclude what is necessary to be done in so important a case — We finde the people
here very slack in bringing up money for defraying so necessary a charge to support this woi'ke
and do not convene, according to our writts issued forth long since to the respective countyes,
in the method of an assembly to levy the same, although we do not despair of obtaining.
And now Right Rev* Lord we again humbly throw ourselves upon your Lord?' goodnesse
and bounty to accept of our poore endevours and present our state unto His most Excellent
INIaj''' to whome we have adventured to present once more a few lines, which crave your
LordshP" patronage and intercession for us that he would graciously please forthwith to
attbrd such assistance as to his princelly wisdome and boimty shall seeme, good and your
LordP' goodnesse to obtaine for us, committing ourselves and all we have, are, or can or may
act and doe unto the great God who hath wrought so wonderfully for us, the Princely benignity
of our Souveraigne and our LordP' benevolence subscribing ourselves — Rigiit Rev'* Lord

Your LordP" most obedient supplicants,
(signed). Jacob Leisler Lieu' Governor

and in the name of the Councill.

Comniimion to Mr. Johannes de Bnnjn and otliers to Siqwrintend Affairs at AU>aiiy.

[Nc-w-Tork Papers, B. W. 44(). ]

By the Lieut' Cover" and Councill ettc.

Wheeeas a certain inunbcr of people terming themselves a Convention, within the Citty
and County of Albany have vindicated the Autiiority of Coll: Tho: Dongan and countenanced
his and S'' Edmund Andros there illegall and arbitrary Connnissions and proceedings acting
thereby, likewise having assumed to themselfs the ruleing power by keeping His Maj"" fort
and contrary to the authority of this province to the great disturbance of His Maj"" subjects
and other the good and peaceable inhabitants thereof, as also contemning his Maj''"' orders and
directions not only by not proclaimeing their Maj"" according to an order from the Right
Hon''''- the Lords of His Majestys most Hon""^ privy Councill dated the 29'" July 1689. but
opposeing and in a hostill and rebellious manner forbidding and hindring the same, besides
many other seditious practices all which are pernicious and destructive to His Maj'^' interest,
the peace tranquility and wellfare of this province and the Govern' thereof and had been the
occassion of Encourageing the French and Indian ennemies, to attacke and tlfestroy the
inhabitants of Shinechtady to tlie great weakning ol' His Maj'>'' forces in the said County —

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 703

These are to authorise, empower, and constitute you Mess" Johannes de Bruyn, Johannes
Provost and Jacoh Milborne to take into your care and your direction and connnand all the
forces now raised in New Yorke and the adjacent counties with all ammunition and provisions
thereunto appointed and forthwith proceed from hence to Albany aforesaid where you are to
superintend, direct, order, and controle all maters and things relating His Maj""' interest and
revenue in that County and the security and safety of his people and subjects therein, by treating
with the confederate Indians, and use such methods and means as [to] you shall seem meet
that may conduce to the ends before mentioned, likewise to proclaime theire Maj''", publishing
there gracious orders, and denounce warr against the Fi'ench King ettc — Reducing, subduing
and bringing to their obedience all such who oppose the same and to settle and establish the
said County in the same method and constitutions as this His Maj'y* City and County of New
Yorke and others thereunto appertaining, and further you are to obtain the fort Orange at
Albany from those of the convention and theire adherents, by due summonce, oftring them
such conditions as may be agreable to the ends above said, but in case of refusall or resistance,
then you are to treat them as Ennemies to our Souveraigne Lord the King his crowne and
dignity, the same to subdue and overcome by force of arms and all manner of hostility
whatsoever, willing and commanding all persons within that County aforesaid to be aiding
and assisting therein, as they will answer the contrary at there utmost perrells — hereby giving
and granting you full power and authority to consult, act, doe and conclude all matters and
things for or concerning his Maj'''' interest and the welfare <and security of that County as the
case shall require and to your jxidgements shall seem requisite, confirming, ratifying and
establishing Whatsoever you shall so act or doe in the premises to be good, valid and of full
force and virtue to all intents constructions and purposes whatsoever — Given under our hands
and sealed with the seale of this province at Fort William in New Yorke this 4. day of March
in the 2"^ yeare of H. M"' reign An" Dom' 16S9. (: was signed): Jacob Leisler — P' delanoy
Tho' Williams,' Samll: Edsall, Benj: Blagge, Samll Staats, Hend: Jansen van Feurdeu, Hen :
Cuyler.

3fr. Livingston to the Government of Connecticut.

[New-York Papers, III. B. 84.]

To the Hon'''*' the Governour and Councill and Representatives of their Maj" Colonic of
Connecticutt assembled at a gen' Court at Hartford y"" 11"" day of April 1G90.

Hon'''^ Gent"

Not long since Capt: Gerrit Teunison and myself commissionated by the Citty and County
of Albany and Capt: Garton from the County of Ulster did relate to the Hon'"'"" Governor and
Councill of this Collouy the state of affaires in the Citty and County and in what dangerous
condition they were in by reason of the French and Indians of Canida and how necessary it
was for assistance to be sent thither speedily for the p''servation of his Mat" Intrest there

' The name "Tlios Williams," is not subscribed to the original in New -York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVI. Joannes
V^rmilje signs it, thongli his name is ommitted in the above. — Ed.

704 NKW-YOKK COLONIAL MANUSCIUPTS.

woe did allso for y' Hon" better inibnnntion deliver copies of tlie I\Iaquase propositions
and a iie\vl)ris examinations of the Frencli prisoners tiiat liad eonnnitted the Massacre' at
yiiennecteady together with a Memoriall containing divers propositions for the better
preservation of Albany by sending of men and provisions thither the securuig the 5 Nations
of Indians to the Englisii Crovvne y'^ annoying y" French y*' subdueing Canida by the joynt
concurrence of His Majesties Collonies y*" prevention of dissentions among his Maj''^ subjects
and as appears by said Memorial to which referrence is had, all which y" Govern"" and Comicill
did think convenient to acquaint their neibours of Massachusetts withall which letters are
delivered to y"" Cover"' & Councill and Representatives of s"* Colony then sitting together with
memorial representing to them the absolute necessity attacking Quebek by water the only way
totally to subdue Canida not so difficult as people there ware made to believe as allso the state
of Albany & that part of their Maj" Dominions how y'' 5 Nations aftected and y' State of
afares of Canida in Gene" as it was declared to us by s"* prisoners which they found afterwards
confirmed by a Frenchman tahen att the Eastward one of y' party y' did the mischeef at y''
Salmon falls all which sufficiently demonstrates y" designes of our bloody enimies and how
eager they are to sul)due Albany which they judge will be most obnixious to them by reason
of the near tye and covenant they are in witii y"" -5 Nations which they cannot bear withall and
since this and tlie neighbouring Collonies are linked in the Covenant chain with the 5 Nations
which never will come in better stead then att this juncture wee conceive it will be none of the
least consernes of this honorable assembly to think upon such methods as may preserve the
same entire according to engagement since the common interest depends so much upon the
same juncture. We have made application to y* Colony of Massachusetts for assistance of
men and provisions to joyne with our forces and Indians to direct and annoy y'' Enimy by land
through the Cuntrey who are alike sencible with us of y'' necessity of the same but they being
infested by the Enemy upon their out towues and plantations eastward and northward and
setting forward a na\all Expedition against y" French of Nova Scotia and I^acadie Sir W""
Phipps going comauder in clieefe with 500 men which will draw forth considerable of theire
forces which makes them in no presant capacity of graunting our request but refers us to this
Hon'"''' Assembly declaring that they have writt as effectually as they can to stirr up yo' lion""'
their neighbors and confedrates to yeald yo"" succor and assistance to us and to send some forces
li'om thence to joyne our Indians in prosecution of y* common ennemy.

These and yo"" considerations doe prompt us to make this second addresse to this Colony not
doubting of a very happy issue, since wee are apt to believe that the meeting of this Hon""'"
Assembly is cheefely if not wholly to consult of matters for the carriing on the present warr
wee will theretbre in all submission, tender these following proposalls to yo' lion"'* consideration
which wee hope will not be unseasonable at this dangerous juncture when so weighty
matters are to be discussed.

In y' first place we jjcrceive as well by Yo"" hon" Letters to Albany by us perus'd by y*" way
as by y" conferences wee bad with y"-' hon''''' Govern"' & Councill when last here as also with
the Govern"' and Council! of y" Massachusetts bay that all earnest desires were that wee should
wholly submitt to Capt' Leysler's power wee can inform y' lion"'" having received letters from
Albany y' y° Gent" there wlio alwayes since these revolutions iiave endeavoured to keepe a
good correspondence with tlie Gent"" of New York and desire tiieire assistance and concurrence
on all occasions in the carrying on of this warr, l)ut not so reasonably compl3f'd withall as
theire argent necessitye and y' circumstances of affares could have expected yett upon yo'

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 705

lion" advise and y' our neibours may be satisfied y' Albony was never wanting on these parts
tliey have comply'd with what yo"" hon" thought convenient and most requisite in such an
extreamity and have surrendered the fort to them of N. Yorke and are and ever were most
willing and ready to receive any auxiliary troops sent from N. Yorke for assistance so they were
not sent by Leysler to disturbe y* peace of y' place

2. That they of Albony to shew there forwardness in y' prosecution of y' warr have not
only born with and passed by sundry enormities committed by Capt: Leysler and his
adhearance referring y' redress thereof till a Gover' comes from His Maj"^ King William but
have notwithstanding there mean and low condition haveing had noe trade or commerce for 3
years past agreed with the i\. Yorke Commissioners for y' earring on of the present warr to
procure 140 men 6000'" Biskett 400 lbs ponder 30 canoes 100 drest dear skins 60 guns 100
hatchets and 100 skep': pease which is to be ready in a month's time and N. Yorke is to
deliver 200 men and 60 men from with other necessaries all which forces to go out

along with the Indians to annoy the French with all expedition

3""^ That yo"' hon" would be not pleased to resent y* undecent carrige of Capt: Leysler to
yo'' Hon" in Gen" by his declaration put forth in the name of the Leift: Governor & Council]
and"^ of New York for y"" good intentions and servis done to there Maj" and for y» common
safetyes in sending Capt: Bull with his Compauye to enforce and strengthen the garrison att
Albanie w'"" ever shall be acknowledged by yo' obliged neighbours nor that yo' hon" will not
be pleased to take noatis of M' Milbornes uncivil intreaty of y"" Companie in particular att
their comeing away hoping that such outward and ungrateful actions att which wee are much
concerned will not discharge yo' hon" from minding the main intrest.

4"''5' That you' hon" would be pleased to raise such a quantity of brisk young men as yo'
hon" in your wisdome shall think requisite to send up to Albony with provisions and y'"
necessaries and some of yo' Indians to joyne with y^ 5 nations against the common ennemy
which will proove very advantageous if it were but one good company or two for the present
and y* in severall respects as first itt will be an eternal tye or connaxion of the 5 nations to
yo' hon" whereby they will see y' y' promises made to them by the Agents of this and
neighbouring Collonyes ware not complemantall nor feigned but real and sincere which wall
ever oblige them to depend upon the like future. 2'^ Itt will be a meanes to draw y*' seat of
warr into our Enemyes Countrey by disturbing and disquieting y" at home and hinder these
incursions and outrages on yo' hon" territory which oy"wise wee must of necessity expect
neither can all the gards and forces of the Collony wholly preserve the out plantations from
y* crueltyes of the French and theire Indians except they be penned up at home and wee must
beleeve itt is French Policy to alarm our out townes to cause us [to] draw our forces there y'
they may sitt quiet att home

3'"y Itt will train yo' young men up fitt for any expedition they will learn the wayes and
passages of y'' Cuntrey and that manner of liveing make them fitt for travell by water as well
as by land and accustum them to fatigue and hardinesse for what is itt y' is the Buggbear of
Canida but theire Bushiopers as they call them and they being once overcome Canida will be
a prey to him that first will approach itt.

5thiy rj-jjg Q^^iy ^^y. ^Q secure the French nation to y*^ English Crowne will be by sending of

aid from hence for if they perceive y' this Collony yeeld noe assistance and y* they must

wholly depend on the province of N. Yorke if anny disaster should happen since fortune of

warr is ticleish then they will hudle up a peace with y* French and so either sitt still or worse

Vol. III. 89

706 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

whereas if they see y' New England (whose warr it is, not theirs) joyn with them itt will be
see much an incuragement they knowing y'' power and force Teritores that nothing will keep
them back from prosecuting the warr briskly.

6'^ That Yo'' Hon" atfares relating to y'' present exigency be accompanied with expedition
since nothing can be daingerous than delays in such a juncture it being y' generall greevauce
both of this and neighbouring Collonies y' y* business of y" warr carried on so slowly, for wee
aught to consider what a quick enemy wee have to deal withall who will lett neither time
nor opportunity slip to doe us a mischeefe or prejudice.

7"'''' That Yo'' Hon" would consider what a reproach itt would be to y' English Nation y' a
handful! of people as y" French are in Canida should disturbe and ruine the Cuntrey when
wee are more than ten to theire one neither is itt soe difficult to come at them as people here
are made to beleeve for the whole jurney to Canida from Albany can be performed by water
except att the carriing place where y' Canoe is to be carried ten English miles wee must turn
our tradeing into warring and instead of loading our Canoes with goods for Canida for Beaver
as formerly wee must load y* Canoes with provisions and ammunityon to be revenged of our
cruel and perfidious Enemies, if wee consider nothing but difficulties charges & nothing can
be expected to be don against them nay not so much as to secure ourselves as wee ought
therefore Hon*"'' Gentlemen there is no medium now left wee must either destroy or be
destroyed and thank be to Almighty God Yo"' Hon" neither want men nor provisions and them
y' are brisk and willing to goe about itt if they be but sett on and incuraged as they ought in
such a time.

S'y Since this Gen' Court will undoubtedly choose Commissioners to goe to Rhoade Island
y' they will be pleased to assist with all the plenipotentiaries there as ware all ready with y*
Massachusetts Collony y' absolute necessity there is of taking Quebek speedily before theire
supplies come from France and y' y'' Ships now fitting att Bostonne for y* Port Royal
expedition may be imployed that way before they returne els the warr will be soe tedious
chargeable and troublesome there will be noe liveing espetially if the French gett theire
expected supplies from France which never faile them wee hope Yo'' Hon" will think itt the
gen" Intrest of y" Cuntrey to graunt our present request which is requisite should be signified
to the five nations that they may be incuraged to come doune the faster to proceed on the
expedition this being the best time of the year for the makeing Canoes wee begg Yo'' Hon'''
ansure to the above s'' proposealls that wee may acquaint the people of Albony with Y'o'
Hon" result

In the mean time remaine
Your Hon" most iiumble & obedient Serv.ant

Rob' Livingston

To the II()u"° the Members of y' Gen' Court now sitting at Hartford

1 That Yc/ Hon" would be pleased to be mindful! of the 7"" Article of y« memoriall
delivered in formerly to the Govern'' & Couucil by myselfe and y" oy'' agents for Albony &
Ulster y" expectation of provisions divers vessels are come up yesterday which if not
prevented will drain y' Collony speedily

2'"y Tiiat since Yo'' hon" are pleased to tause raise a 100 men to send to Albony forthwith
under one Capt: Liev' and Ensign, y' Yo"" hon" would be pleased to ad so many men more as
will make two compleat companies which will remove all jealousies of the Officers if anny be,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 707

itt being thought the vvisdome of tliese latter ages to have smal companies for theire better
Goverm' and would make a greater shew to y' Indians.

3'''' That Yo"' hon" would be pleased to send an express to all acquaint y*^ Gent: there and
y^ Indians y' upon yo'' request you will forthwith send 2 companies and some Indians as soone
as the meeting of Road Island is over and y* need require itt you will send some hundreds
more

4. That since nothing can be don without a present supply of money and provisions and
perceiving y' sundry substantial! inhabitants are willing to contribute voluntarily y' in my
opinion the most speedy way to raise effects to carry on y"" warr would be by subscription and

way of loan which our neighbours of Boston doe.

Rob' Livingstone
Hartford y-^ 12">
day of April 1G90

After this had bin signefied to y" principall member I desired to have audience before y"
Court was adjurned and returned hearty thanks in y" name and behalfe of y* Citty and County
of Albony for the present succor and supply which their hon" had graunted hoping they
would proceed nobley in y" carriing on y^ warr as they had begun assureing Albony would
not be wanting in theire parts and in due time signefy to his Majesty theire redinesse to
releeve us in our necessity.

N. B. An embargo was laid on provisions immediately two Companies established Capt:
Fitsh 70 men and Capt: Johnson 65 men & 80 Indians. A Rate of 9^ per lb was made to
carry on y' warr the Govern'' and Councill agreed to send an express to all they paying half
of y* charge which I consented to.

A Gen" Court held at Hartford by Spetiall order of y* Govern"' April y« ll"" 1690

M' Livingston also moved y* Court in the behalf of Albony y' some forces might speedily
be sent thethere for y'' preservation of y' post and offending the Enemy (as by severall
proposeals he gave into y' Court in writing will appear) all which was considered by y* Court
and y^ Court did see a necessity of utmost endevors to prevent the French of attakeing or
settleing at Albonie and therefore did Order y' two foot conip'' shall be withall speed raised
and sent to Albony to take all opertuuities and advantages against the Enemy to distroy
them

Extracted out of y^ Court

Records was signed

John Allyn Sec^

708 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Hohert Livingston to Sir Edmund Andros.

[New England, V. 200.]

Hartford 14 April 1G90.
May it please Yo'' Excell.

I was in hopes Yo"' Excel: should have heard y'' iiewes of y^ distroying Shinnechtady by y*
French and Indians before your departure y' your Excel: might y* more hastned their motion
at Whitehall for our setlement. On y'^ 9"" of Feb'' last a Comp'' of 250 French and Indians
came upon y' place when they all were asleep about 11 aClock at night, and kill'd & destroyed
GO men women and children, carryed 27 men and boys prisoners and burnt y' towne, except
G or 7 houses wliich are saved by Capt: Sander' whom they did not touch, having expresse
command to medle w"» none of his relations for his wife's sake, who had always been kinde
to y' French prisoners. The people of that Towne were so bygotted to Leysler that they
would not obey any of y"* Magistrates neither would tliey entertain y*" souldiers sent thither
by y* Convention of all ; nothing but men sent from Leysler would doe theire turn.

Thus had Leyler perverted y' poor people by liis seditious letters now founde all bloody
upon Shinnechtady streets, with y" notions of a free trade, boalting &"^ and thus they are
destroyed; they would not watch, and wher Capt: Sander commanded, there they threatened
to burn him upon y* fire, if he came upon the garde. Wee were much allarm'd at Albany ;
we sent y" Maquase y' were at liand, out, and to y" Maquase castles ; but y' messenger being
so timorous did not proceed ; so y' it was -3 days before we could get y' Maquase downe
to pursue them ; who being joyned with our men, folio w'd them to y' Great Lake, where y'
yse being good and y" French haveing robb'd sundrey horses, put their plunder upon sleds
and so over y*" Lake; however y' Indians pursued and gott 10, and afterwards 5, and killed -3.
Who being examined, relate y' y' Frencli design to attacke Albany early in y= Spring, haveing
120 batoes 100 birch canoes and 12 light morter peeces, and severall other engines ready, and
are to come with 1500 men.

We signefied this dissaster to N. Yorke, Virginia, Conecticutt, Boston, &■= and desyred
assistance. I was commissionated by our Gent : to come hither and to Boston, where I have
been ; but they being lusty to send 500 men to Port Koyall and raiseing men to secure there out
townes, for Salmon Falls^ was cutt oft" when I was at Boston by 30 French and 30 Indians and but
one Frenchman taken ; Boston said, they could not assist us, but referr'd us to this Collony
wlu^re y' Gen' Court sits now, and have at last granted us about 2 Cumpanies, 124 men
besides Officers, & as many of there Indians as will make 200 in all, & furnish provisions for
them, & are to goe forthwith to Albany. I had letters last week from home, who write me
they have surrendered y" fort to Leysler's party ; for this Collony drew oft" y' Company y'
was there as soon as y* N. Yorke forces vizt IGO men came up, and advised them to submitt to
Leysler as also did Boston, calling him Leift: Governor, and y' we could not expect an)'
assistance till we had submitted, for every one of our neighbours drew back there hands. The
conditions as far as I can understand are but mean, y* Red Coats they promis'd should be
entertain'd, them y' would stay, & should liave their pay in 6 weeks time; and no sooner
had tliey y* B^ort in there possession, but turn'd out all y* souldiers but 13, among y' rest
poor Sharpe, who is lame, being wounded with a great gunn y' splitt when y* alarm came of

' Captain Alkxaxuhr Glkn. Coldcn'a Il'iMory of the Five Nuiions, 115. — Ed.

" A eetUtmeut in Straffurd county, New Ilaniiwliiic, on the river wliioh diviiies that State from Maine. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 709

Sliinnectady. They of Albany agree wel eneugh with y* New Yorke Commissioners
concerning y' carrying on y'' warr. Albany furnishes 140 men, Sopus 60, N. Yorke 200 y' goe
out in a mouths time against y^ enemy with y' 5. nations towards Canida. But Leyslers
faction will have y'' May"" and other Magistrates to take Commissions as Leift: Gov"' and that
they will not doe till he can [produce] beter power from K. W" to grant it. He is as
cruel as ever, abuses all y' principal men basely. Brother Cortland is fled, poor Cornel
Beyerd, M"' Goer, W" Nicolls,' and severall more, he keeps close and in dark prisones, and
causes Beyerd to be carried in a chayr thorow y^ Fort by porters, with yrons on, in triumph.
Your Excel: may conjecture how we long to hear from His Maj^ y' a period may be putt to
our sufferings. Never were poor Protestants in y^ world so persecuted as this tyrant Leysler
does and y' upon pretence for standing up for King W". He mocks and skoffs when a num
speaks of law: y' sword must settle K W™* right, not y* law, he tells us. As soon as he
heard of ni}^ goeing from Albany to these Colonies, he sends to this Colony and Boston to
apprehend me, writeing warrants, cont^ many false & pernicious lyes y' 1 should have spoke
this and that against y" Prince of Orange, thinking by y' means to render me odious to these
Colonies, y' they should not send supplyes, and then he could manage Albany at his pleasure.

I begg your Excell: to put His Maj" iu minde of our deplorable condition, and y' a Goveru''
may be sent, if not already done ; elce it is to be feared this couutrey will be lost.

We moved to them of Boston to joyne and fit out vessels to take Quebeck, and we would
goe with y'' Indians towars Mont Royall ; but they alleadge y" want of powder, and have
therefore sent a sloop a purpose to y' King for a supply. If Canada be not taken this
sumer, we wil be undone. I writt to my Lord Nottingham and sent his Lord? y' copies of
our protest against Leysler, y*^ memorialls I deliver'd to this and Massachusetts Collony, all
inclosed in a letter to ISP Ferguson. I hope they will come to hand, and y' we may be
speedily redressed. There is a generall meetiug of Commissioners at Road Island within a
fortnight, of all y' dominions, to carry on y^ warr. I hope it will be speedily ended. We are
well assured y' if His Maj" never send so many letters Leysler will continue his tj-rannicall

' William Nicolls, son of Matthias N. first Secretary of the Proviuee of New-York, was born in Englaud in tlie j-ear
1657, and educated for the bar. He aecompauied Governor Andros in 1677 to England, where he embarked with a regiment
for Flanders, and spent some time in the army. He returned home after an absence of two years and entered again on his
profession. In 1683 he was appointed Clerk of Queens county, and on 11th April, 1687, was commissioned Attorney General of
the Province of New-York. Licenses and Warrants, V. Having been a strong opponent of Leisler's measures, he was arrested,
as above stated, and remained in prison until March, 1691, when he was liberated by Governor Sloughter, of whose council he
was a member. In October, 1695, he was sent to England by the Assembly to represent to their Majesties the state of the
province, and the grievous burdens it was under for the security of the frontiers, but he was captured by a French privateer
on his passage, who robbed him of £320, and carried him to St. Malo, where he was imprisoned for some months, when having
been exchanged, he proceeded to England. On Governor Bellamont's arrival in New-York, in 1698, the Leislerian party
obtained the ascendency, and Mr. Nicolls was among and the first to feel their vengeance. He was immediately arrested on a
charge of being implicated with pirates, and obliged to give security to answer to the accusation ; he was also suspended from
the council, and in 1689, was called on to render an account of the £1000 which had been voted him as agent. In 1701 he was
excluded from the Assembly by the same party, on the ground that he did not reside in Suffolk county, which lie was elected
to represent. Having, however, taken up his residence in that district afterwards, he was elected again for the county in 1702,
and chosen Speaker of the Assembly in October of that year. He filled this office until May, 1718, when he was obliged to
resign, in consequence of ill health. He retained his place as Member of the Assembly, however, until his death, which occurred
in 1723. As a lawyer he acted as King's counsel against Leisler and Milborne in 1691 ; and in 1702 defended Colonel Bayard
and Alderman Hutohins whom Lieutenant Governor Nanfan arraigned ou a charge of treason. He acted also as counsel for
the Reverend Mr. McKemie, a Presbyterian clergyman, who was prosecuted by Lord Cornbury for preaching without license.
He was married in 1693 to Anue, daughter of Jeremiah, and widow of KUiaen, Van Rensselaer, by whom he had three sons
and three daughters. Thompson, from whose History of Long Island, H., S91, most of these details are condensed, says his
lady died in 1715. —Ed.

710 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

governm', till a Gov"" comes from His most sacred Maj^ K. W" which God send speedily with
men for our assistance. I have noe more to add but to pray Your Excell: to be mindfull of
my concerns about y* Albany expedition, y* His Maj' may send orders to setle and pay all
these arrears; else I am undone; for there is above 400,£ I am out, besides what 1 have y*
mortgage for, and I have since tliese revolutions advanced considerable, expecting every day
a settlem' Brother Cortlant and I have maintained y' Kings souldiers at Albany till y' 12 of
March IGf-J exclus: and now they turn them out like doggs, and tell them "let y' Convention
pay yow," who adminiustred y"" y* oath of allegience to them for King William and Q. Mary,
for none elce were admitted to stay but them that took y' oath, because they should have
nothing to object against us.

I doubt not but your Excell: will also take care about y' .£60 I advanced your Excel: at
New Yorke. I am considerably indebted to one Joseph Hamond of London merch' and
know not how to pay him except these matters be setled & paid. I have no more to add at
present but y' I am

Your Excel: most humble

and most obedient servant

R' Livingston

There was a French Indian prisoner in y' Fort which y'^ Maquas took, and now Leysler's
men by there neglect have let him escape, and is run to Canida ; att w'^'' we are all concem'd,
and y' Indians take it very ill. Inclosed is 2 Copies whereby your Excel: wil see how
Leysler reigns.

For His Excell : S"' Edmund Andros Kn'
late Capt: Gen" and Govern'' in Cheefe
of There Maj" Territory and Dominion
of N. England. At. Whitehall.

Minute of the Board of Trade respecting the Neio-Yorh Hecords.

[ Board of Trade Journals, VI. 324. ]

At the Committee of Trade and Plantations. At the Councill Chamber at Whitehall
Thursday the l?"- of Aprill, 1090.

Present — L'' President E. of Fauconberg

E. of Pembroke M'' Comptroller

E. of Nottingham S"' Henry Goodrich

E. of Torrington M'' Powle
M'' Boscawpn.

New York. Their Lcips being informed that the Records belonging to New York had been
removed to Boston, agree to move His Majesty that orders may be given for delivering
them to Col. Sloughter.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 711

Order in Council for the delivery of a Sloop, c£r., to New - Yorh.

[P. C. Register, 1 W. E. 451.]

At the Court at Kensington, the 2G"> of Aprill, 1690.

Present — The Kings most Excellent INIa'^

Lord President, Viscount Sydney

Earle of Pembroke RP Vice Chamberlain

Earle of Nottingham Sir Henry Goodrich

Earle of Marleborough IVP Harboro

Whereas the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations did this day
humbly offer to His Majesty that, there having been two sloopes built in New England at the
publick charge, while the Colonies of New York and New England were united, one of them
may now be delivered to Colonel Sloughter, Governor of New York, for their Ma"" service in
that Government; and that the people of Boston having brought the great gunns from
Pemaquid, a Fort belonging to the Government of New Yorke, those gunns may likewise be
delivered to Colonell Sloughter, as also that the Records now at Boston, belonging to New
Yorke maybe restored to that Colony: His Majesty in Councill is thereupon pleased to
Order that one of His Maj'^' principall Sec^' of State do prepare letters for Royall Signature
unto such as are in the administration of the Government of tlie Massachusetts Bay in New
England, signifying unto them His Ma'^" pleasure that they cause one of the sloopes lately
built there at the publick charge of all the late United Colonies, as also the great gunns
ammunition and stores of warr lately brought to Boston by the People of New England, from
Pemaquid a Fort belonging to the Government of New Yorke, to be fortiiwith delivered
to Colonell Sloughter, Governor of New Yorke, or to such as shall be appointed by him to
receive the same for their Ma"" Service in that Government.

Ord&^ to the Colony of Massachusetts to deliver up the New -Yorh Records.

[New-York Entrj-, II. 260.]

Trusty @ welbeloved we greet you well Whereas we are informed that there have been two
sloops built within our Territory of New England, at the publick charge, while the Colonies of

New York and New England were united, And that the People of Boston have
gtos^'"^''"* brought thither the great Guns from Pemaquid, a Fort belonging to our Province
The N. Tort of Ncw York, As also that the Records of that our Province, are now remaining

at Boston We have thought fit hereby to signify our Will and Pleasure that
you cause one of the said Sloopes as also the Great Guns Ammunition and Stores of
War brought from Pemaquid together with the Records of New York now remaining at
Boston or elsewhere within Our Colony of the Massachusetts Bay, to be forthwith delivered to

712 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

our Tnisty and welbeloved Henry Sloughter Esq" our Governour in Chief of our Province
of New York or to such as shall be appointed by him to receive the same, that they may be
made use of for Our Service within that our Province And so we bid you farewell Given
&' at Kensington the SO"- day of Aprill 1690. In the 2"^ &•=

By his Matys Command

Proposals of the Commissioners at AJhamj to the Indians.

[New-York Papera, B. II. »41. ]

Albany 3^'' May 1690.
Proposals made unto the five nations of Indians who were sent for by order of
Commissioners ettc.

Present — the Commons.

Capt" Staas, Pr. Schuyler, D. Wessells

Capt" Wendell, Major Winne, Livinus Schayck

Capt" Mogolon,> Capt" Bleecker, Albert Ryckin^

Claas Ripsen —

Brethren.

Nothing more cheerfull then to see so many arrowes togither in one sheafe as our meeting
in this house to day demonstrate, and to the joy of our hearts wee bid j-ou a solemn and
hearty welcome.

Time and experience of the sages and wisest men in the world passed before us, hath
taught and still proclaimes the beauty, strength, advantage and necessity of friendly amicable
contract and firme Covenant to the procuring of the green tree which when obtained, then to
preserve it against all stormes. tempests and ill weather of fortune or any ennemies, that envy
at, or seek to interupt our peace and tranquility.

Wherefore Bretheren, it is this, this silver chaine which binds us alltogither whose links if
we continow in our firme amity and candor, are of such magnitude and metall that no
snarling dogs can make the least impression thereon, but to the contrary will breake their
teeth, and dislocate their envious jaws whensoever they attempt it —

Which Covenant solemnly to renew and perpetuate is one great end of our conveening this
day, not that we doubt of either side, or have the least occassione to make scruple that is soe,
but like a well tuned instrument when prepared, calls for a skillfull hand, and a disposed care
to make melody even to the ravishment of all the friends in the great rouine which is evermore
grateful to them.

And therefore let this always remind us of the necessity we have (as we prefer summer to
winter and a green tree to a dry and a dead one) : to joiiie our hearts and hands as manny arrowes
together which if not seperated are of greater force and not to be broken and espouse one
interrest against the common ennemy, namely the French and their adherents. —

' Van Wamjlo.n. — En. ' ISvokman. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIT. 713

It is not needfull to sett fortli (unto you bretliren) the quality and maners of that
treacherous nation, you and we having had the sad as well as true experiments thereof, in
short they are of the nature of a fox gendred hy a wolfe ; the Fox suhtilly by delusiones
obtaines upon the deceived, and then wolfe like devours them, examples at both ends of our
house are evident whilst peace were treated on, they made treacherous attempts wherefor
shall end this proposition by referring their dispostiones to your and our own notices —

Upon these considerations it being concluded that the French and their Alyes are the only
ennemies that can prejudice us, it highly concernes them to prevent their designes and
enterprises against us, and to that end fit instruments and good order with due conduct
are materials proper to accomplish the same —

Wherefore as wee are well assured of many excellent and courageous Captaines amongst
yoii, that not only bear the name but have approved themselves by undoubted and evident
exploits, so wee would willingly know what number of men may be depended on your side,
who shall undertake this most necessary and glorious work, and likewise the time fixed, and
what may be further consulted and concluded therein —

The Indian answers as follow, viz:

Brethren.

Diadorus representing the five nations accepts the propositions relating the green tree with
thankfulness, and are glad to see that we have not treated on the same termes of peace as
formerly, but more particularly as it relates our engaging and maintaining a war against tiie
Ennemy whereon they present a belt 12 high.

That they have very well observed the metaphor of the arrowes, one of which being broken
weakeneth, they shall in nowise break them but remaine firme with heart and hand,
neverthelesse there is much wanting to the arrowes viz : the bow to shoot out of and other
materials, whereon a belt 12 deep was presented — Corlaer and great corlaer wee have weel
apprehended, the silver chaine (: with other expressions:) whereby you giveing to understand
that it shall be further strenghened against any wild beasts attempting it, but shall breake
their teeth ett. wee joine with j'ou therein with thankfullness and rejoice at it, knowing that
no other nation, can be made so happy shearers in sucli a fortitude but ourselves, although we
know they have great desire to engage us with them, whereupon a belt 15 deep was presented.

We have likewise observed your proposition, concluding the French and their allyes to be
the only ennemies, on which we answer that those of our nation and kindred which are their
subjects, we deem them enimies, the same with the French — presented a belt 12 deep.

We thak you for your second proposition wherein you compared the French ettc. to a fox
engendered by a wolfe, and that you have imparted it to us, whose actions to you and the
Sinikes and our whole house have made it evident, but wee doubt not also to be the wolfe
with our Captains and subjects, presented a belt of 12 deep.

You have sent for us the five nations to come at your desire which we have readily done,
but wee see not our Children the Schackwock Indians,' neither the river Indians, who was
expected should likewise have appeared, presented a belt 7 deep and so far to proposalls. —

' The Scaghticoke Indians originally belonged to the eastern tribes, or those of New Hampshire and Maine. 'Ihey loft Ihoir
country about the year 1C72, and settled above Albany, on a braneh of Hudson river. Colden's Five Nalions, \>. 95. They
eventually removed to Canada. — Ed.

Vol. III. 90

714 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Bretlieren pray attend well to what we say and it much concernes us, our desire is, that you
would niaintaine peace amongst yourselves, and joine toglther the severall Collouies of INew
England and Virginia likewise those of Alban}^ who have alwayes satt under the green tree,
otherwise wee shall destroy one another, presented a belt 14 deep.

Wee come here and perceive you are well acquainted with our house and it rejoyceth us
much that you are so well enformed, and now wee see that you will hang over the kettles,
and that you have notified the preparationes of the Sinnequaas, whereupon a belt 12 deep
presented.

We are glad you have espoused this cause and that you will consult how it shall be managed,
there are three passage to Canada viz': Cadraqna, Canadas path, and another by the sea coast,
whereupon a belt 11 deep

Brethren wee should be much troubled that the ennemy should anywise escape us, therefore
let us besett him round on the sea coasts as well as by land and encompass all his three forts,
we desire that at one his 2 Castles by land nuiy be besett, and the other may be attacqued by
sea, a belt ] 0 deep.

Wee desire your powder bags may be larger, and when our young Indians come that their
hatchets and gunns may be prepared readily — a belt of 9 deep.

Whereupon they conclude that they see the ketle is hanged over with seven heads and they
sitt in the midsts tending the fire that it may be quickly ready, desiring us to the same, and
then they hollowed which was retunied with 3 hussas. presented a belt 13 deep.

Wee expected that you should have bidd us take up the hatchet and gird it on our sides,
likewise that you should have ordered us to paint our faces, thereby to seem terrible and put
a dread upon our ennemies — A belt of S deep.

Brother Corlaer be no wise discouraged but make your fort strong (as we have our castles):
at Schenectady, and maintain a garrison there, that your Corne may be preserved and reap
your harvest, also send for your wifes and ciiildren from New York and encourage them tiiat
we shall be safe and fear not, a belt of 13 deep was presented with the five houses in it —
The words of Diadorus are ended.

A true copy of the Originall. examined this 25 Juny 1G90.

(signed). Abrah™ Gouverneuh.

Reverend Father Lamherville to tlie Iteverend Father Milet.

[TRANSLATED FltOM THE LATIN.]
[New-York PaiK-rs, B. IL 843; iind E. F. G., G IL ]

May G, 1690.
Reverend Father. Pax X"

May the Lord have pity on you and send you aid from on High, that you may be able, with
a strong heart and willing mind, to walk day and night in His law, since you daily mortify
yourself for the glory of His name ; for you have become a prisoner on account of your
great charity towards the Indians, and for the salvation of souls; for when you were called
by them to pray to the Lord for a sick Squaw, they then took you prisoner, and this is the
cause of your captivity.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 715

You are aware, and God is our witness, that as long as we have had intercourse with the
Indians, we had no other intentions than tlie salvation of souls, and the existence of peace, as
well with the English as between the French and Indians ; but it has happened, that they are
turned, by the artifice of the Devil and by Envy to the destruction of those souls which
Christ has redeemed with his own blood. We pray that He may quickly conciliate the
English and French, and free them from the wickedness of wars.

We send you by him, who is called UOiitardc, paper and powder, which, when mixed with
water, will make ink. Thus, with permission of the Indians, you will be able to write to us.
We also send you clothes to cover you, and golden coin for the purchase of a woolen, or
any other cloak, or garment you may need. But we have no news except that Domine
Dellius, the minister at Albany, an honest man and w^ell disposed towards us, told a French
soldier, a prisoner among the Mohawks, that he had seen the letters we wrote you and that
a bad construction had been put on them. If you have any opportunity to commixnicate with
him through the Indians, you may assure him that we never entertained any such thought,
as we abhor crimes of this nature. But I request, should you see Domine Dellius, minister
at Albany, or write to him, that you make him my respects. Although there may be war
between the French and those English who are opposed to the King of England, nevertheless
we always entertain the same friendly dispositions towards Dominie Dellius, inasmuch as we
both desire peace, not war.

Farewell. We pray God that, all dissensions being soon at an end, we may again embrace
you in safety. This is the sum of our prayers. Again adieu; from your old companion
and neighbor among the Indians. All salute you.

A mon Rev'd Pere

Pere Millet, de la Compie de Jesus
A OnueiSt.

Concordat cum originale.

Quod attestatt

(signed) Abram Gouverneur.

3f)'. Van Cortland to Sir Edmund Amlros.

[New-Tork Tapers, B. H. 344-S47.]

May it please Your Excellency :

It is now nere 17. weekes that I have been forced out off my house, by the violence of
Capt" Laysler, and hath sent and inquired almost everywhere after mee, but by the grace of
God I am still free from his hands, And although I have sent to him to know the reason why
he doth prosecute mee in such a forcible manner ? and if I have committed any crime or
offence, that I was ready to give security both for my good behavior and appearence when
lawfully called, but no plaine answer could be had, onely that he would have my person if
between heaven and earth — People say, he will have off me againe the money I received off
the Collector Plowman, by your Excell'>^ order, others say he thinks I doe not owne him to
be the Kings Lieut' Gover^ some say that M' Bayard had writt to some of his friends (which
letter was intercepted:) that he would retake the fort, and that 1 with Bayard doe conspire

716 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

against him, to rise the people and to deposesse him, which is wlioly false, for I expect my
help from God and His Majesty — M"" Bayard is still in prison and in irons, William NicoUs
is in close prison, soe is M'' Hix for not delivering up his Commission as Justice ofi' peace,
Poore Perry is there still, M"' Johannes Kip Alderman and Deacon oft" om- church for going
in the Church to old M"" Beeckman to receive the Almes, hefore he went to young Henry the
Baker who is now one off the Counciil ; M'' Christotfer Gere is in prison for saying he was
as much Lieut' Gov"" as Ar Laisler ; D' Geodineau,' for not delivering up his Commission as
Leftenant — he was in the expedition with Gov'' Dongan att Alhany, Major Willett, Capt:
Jackson, Daniel Wliileliead and others are also forced to flye. Coll: Hamilton, Townly,
Capt° Bourne, Pinhorne- and others off new Jarsay Gentlenum, dare not come in town ;
Gov'" Dongan was confined in his house att Hemstede, but is gone to New Yersay, INI''
Plowman, Maj'' Breckhols, Rob' Levingston and others forced to absent themselves, and many
more — In march last Milborne went up to Albany with 200 Men, tooke the fort disbanded
the established company put the old Magistrates out oft" their places and new ones in tiieir
steeds, follows Laysler steps in imprisoning of several! people, which made some of the
inhabitants to rise with some Indians, and forced Miborne to fly for Esopus to save his life;
The Freuch and Indians have againe since your Excell'^'" departure, destroyed some people to
the Eastward of Boston, have alsoe burned Scheneghtade killed GO people and tooke 28 young
men and boys prisoners ; About 150 Indians and -50 j'oung men oft" Albany followed the
French overtooke tlu'in iijion the lake, killed some and tooke 1-5 Frenchmen, which the
Indians have killed in tlieire castles ; the frencli Indians have killed eight or ten people att
Couestagione, whicli has made the wiiole country in an Alarm, and the people leave there

' Giles Godexeau, a French Iliiguetiot, and his daughters, Susanna and Ellina, received letters of denization in New-York,
August 26, 1686. He obtained a commission as Lieutenant of Captain Minivielle's company of foot on 8th October following.
^'cw-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXI V. — Ed.

^ W1LLIA.M PiXuoR.vE was a merchant in New- York as early as 1079 (Deed, Book V., 226, 2.3-4); and in Slay, 1683, became the
purchaser of the garden house in Broadway, mentioned p. 2al of this volume, for which he paid the sum of forty pounds
sterling. Ibid, VII., 48. On the grant of a charter to the city by Governor Dongan, Captain P. was named Alderman lor the
East ward (Vahntine' s New -York Manual), and was elected Speaker of the Assembly which met in October, 1685. Thompson's
History of Long Island, I., 162. On the appointment of Sloughter to the government of New-York, Plnhob.ne was named
one of his council, and subsequently member of the special commission which tried and condemned Leisler. In March, 1691,
wo find him appointed Recorder of the city of New- York, and on the 5tli May following fourth justice of the Supreme Court
of the Province. He held the office of Recorder until September 1, 1692, when he was removed from that, and his place in
the council, on account of non-residence. On 22d March, 1693, he became second justice of the Supreme Court, and having
returned to the city of New-York, was restored to his seat in the council on 10th June of the last mentioned year. Whilst
in this situation he succeeded in securing for himself and others, an extravagant grant of land on the Mohawk river, west of
Fort Hunter, fifty miles long and two miles on each side tlie river, at a rent of one beaver skin for the first seven years, and
five beaver skins yearly for ever thereafter. But Lord Bellamont having arrived in 1698, power passed into the hands of the
Leisler jmrty, and Pinuorne, their enemy, was suspended on the 7th June from his offices of judge and councillor, on a charge
of having "spoke most scandalous and reproachful words" of the King ; this was followed in tlie course of the next year by
an act vacating his extravagant grant on the Mohawk. He now retired to his plantation at Snake Hill on the Haekensack
river, N. J., and was next appointed second judge of the Supreme Court of tliat Province, of the council of which he was
also a member; he took his seat on the bench at Burlington in November, 170-1. Here he shared all the obloquy which
attached to his son-in-law. Chief Justice Mompcsson. Lieutenant Governor Ingoldesby having been removed from office,
on the earnest application of the peoj)le, was succeeded by Pi.vhorne, who was at the time, president of the council, and who
now exercised the powers of commander-in-chief. The latter was superceded on the 10th June, 1710, by the arrival of Governor
Hunter, and the Assembly soon after demanding his removal from all places of trust in the province, he was dismissed in 1713.
He died towards the close of 1719. Judge PixuoiixK was married to Mary, daughter of Lieulenant Governor Ingoldesby, in
virtue of whose will (dated 31 August, 1711), she and her children, M iry and John, became patentees of lauds in the towns
of Cornwall and New Windsor, Orange county, N. Y. Kcw-York Council Mimitcs, VI., 5, 6, 27, 122, 181, 208; A'll., 46;
New-York Land Papers, VII., 114, 195. Field's Provincial Courts of New Jersey 73, et scg. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 717

plantations — Most of the Albany woenien are att New Yorke. Areut Schuyler went with
eight Indians to Chambly killed 2 and tooke 1. Fi-enchnian prisoner — Laisler has pressed the
Brigantine oft" M"' del'aister and a Burmudian sloope whicli are to goe well manned and
provided in company with a privateer to take Quebecq in Canidas and the men that are att
Albany assisted with IGO men from Boston 150 from New England and 100 men from
Maryland, and 1500 of the Maquaas and Siunequaas are to goe by land to Canida to take that
whole Country ; so the army will consist oft' about 600 English and 1500 Indians, but I am
aftraid that the privateer will make prises oft' the two vessells and provide himselfe with what
they have on board and goe his wayes — Drunibes are daily beating for men to goe upon said
vessell but few appeared which hatli caused a resolve to be taken that some of the best
Inhabitants of New Yorke (: of which a list is made :) should be pressed to goe on board said
2 vessells in His Maj"" service to take Canida whicli hath made severall of them to absent
themselves and leave New Yorke and come in New Jersay ; To defray all these charges
already made and to be made Laisler did sent out his warrants to call an assembly. But
some few, being all off" his side appeared and voted Jn° Spratt, Cor: Pluvier R' Walters,
Laislers sou in law and M"" Beeckman to be the representatives for New Yorke (butt INI''
Beecknian would not sitt:) Suflblke County would not meddle with it, from the otlier
Counties came Representatives onely cli'oseu by a few people oft' their side and as I understand
very weak men ; these men satt att the house oft' said Walters were the Inhabitants delivered
severall petitions, for the prisoners to be sett att liberty, and that their grievances might be
redressed, but nothing was done in it, and after a few days sitting, an act was made to rise
throughout the whole Gouvernment tiu'ee peuce in every pound reall and personall, to be paid
the first of Juue and that all townes and places siiouhl have equall freedom to boult and bake
and to transport where they please directly to what place or Country they think it fitt, any
thing their places attbrd, and that the one place should have no more priviledges, then the
other, this is all what this wise assembly did — upon this M'' Laisler makes an order, that all
provisions shall be stoped', and sends for all beefe and Pork to be carried in the fortt, breakcs
the cellars open, and take by force what he pleases, all gunns, powder beefe, porke, flowr and
pease, all is can-ied in the fortt and aboard the 2 vessells, against the will of the owners or
making a price with them, and saitli as soone the warr is over they shall be paid. M''
Plowanan had about sixty barrells of porke and beefe in Elizabeth towue for which Capt"
Leisler sent about 100 men and tooke it by force: If he but supposes that a man is nulebted
for arrearages in the time of your E.xcl^'' or Gouver"' Dongan, he takes away their goods,
without going to Law or to know whether they are indebted or not, and saith he will be
accountable for it to His Ma'^ ; The remainder of the money that was gathered for the
redemption of Laisler and the other slaves in Turkey which Your Excell : gave to build a new
church in New Yorke, our Churchwarden had it laid out in Amsterdam and gott Osenbridge
linnes for it, all which Osenbridge Laisler hath taken and sent to Albany with Milborne.
Your Excellency would admire to heare all the falsities and lies that are spread abroad
against the former Goverments, and those that have been in places — the immagination of a
treason has gott soe deep an impression in the minds oft" the people that it will be hardly got
out oft" it. The Inhabitants doe still worke and watch att New Yorke, the one time making
and the other time breaking it againe to keep them att worcke? It is now almost a whole
years these troubles begun, in all which time, I have not been at home about three mouthes,
and that in great troubles ; all the other times I have been troubled and forced to absent
myselfe to keep myselfe outt oft" prison, where, those that are there, are kept soe nastily.

718 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

speuking or seeing any off their relations very seklome, Avliicli is then counted a great peece
off Ciiarity and kindnesse — To write unto your Excell: all our troubles, agreevances and
sadnesses, which we liave and suffer both in person and estate, I am not able to doe, because
can not have that exact ace' of all the particulars, butt the Countrey is soe full off itt makes
the mens ears to ring — Being thus in this Chaos off troubles, and in the middle of all these
afflictions, deprived from the liberty off looking after my estate, my wife affronted and beaten,
my children threatned (: one of which died in my absence :) all the other sicke, my estate
running to decay, blamed by the people, my honour stained, my credit blasted, all which
greeves me to the hartt, without, that I can have any remedy here off these that are in
Government, here, and having nobody in England to whonie I can addresse myselfe for helpe
and assistance in this pressing misery and Calamity, and being assured that yourExcell"'^: hath
that kindnesse and favor for mee and my family to helj)e mee if it lyes in your power ; I
make bold to adresse myselfe unto Your Excel^^ moste humbly beseeching Your Excell'^ bee
pleased to endevour that an order may be sent over for our releef ; that those that have now
been soe long in prison and those that have been forced to absent themselves, and them that
are still threatned every day to be imprisoned, whereby they can not have the liberty and that
freedome as they ought to doe theire affaires, may have their liberty and freedome as other
subjects have, giving in security if any unlawfull act committed, to appear and answer before
His ISIajestyes Governour wlien he shall come, all what shall be alleged against them, and in
the mean time behave themselfs as other subjects doe, and that none shall be condemned but
by due court at law, that none shall be deposessed or deprived off his goods or Estate without
having a tryell for itt or witii his will and consent, and being satisfied for it — That what goods
that are already soe taken away, the actors may answer for att law, for the same and for all
other damage and losses sustained b}' their unlawfull and iinchristian actings, and tliat all
other our soe heave greevances may be redressed; In the doeing whereof Your Excell: will
doe a great act off charity and infinitely oblige many off your reall and true friends — I
understand Coll: Hamilton intends to goe for England, if soe, bee .will give your Excell: a
large account off the transactions in these parts.

I have here inclosed sent unto Your Excell: my account off what I have disburched for
reparations off the fortt and other charges off the Govern' for provisions delivered to tlie
Souldiers, pay to Capt: Baxter's company firewood — Charges on the wood boat, and barcke
James is all amounting to the sums off ^1459. 2. 2| upon which I received the sume off
.£730.11.3.j soe there remaines due unto mee i£72S.10.11j. I have alsoe sent on the back
side off the accoiuit a list off what I have trusted to the Souldiers of Capt" Brockhols, which
they were to pay me when they should receive their pay, and if that should faile, your Excell:
may see what a losse I shall be thereby — I hope your Excell'^^ will be cleared (: before these
comes to your hands:) from the false imputations laid to your charge and that a good sume
off money will be allowed you for dammage ami fiilse imprisonment, and that your account
will be nuule up and paid to the time of your arrivall in England, 1 begg of Your Excel^^ to
remember my ace' and concernes tiuit I may gett the balance of what is due to mee according
to the within ace' and if your Excell would be soe kind as to lett me know whether I might
send for part off itt or ibr the whole, it would be very obliginge and acceptable tidinges.
And if an order should come to pay Capt Brockhols and his company and the men off Capt:
Baxter, fliat tlicn I miglit iiave all llic ]>ay in my hands, to satisfie them every one in particular,
that soe I may gett from them, what they arc indebted to mee — 1 have alsoo on the backside
oil' said ace' sett a mt'moraiulum oil' the Commission 1 had from tlu' Hon'"'" Will"' Blathwayt

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 719

Esq' Auditor General to be his under officer and deputy auditor, and accordingly have examined

and stated GoV Dongans acc'^ that went over in tlie year 168S: the accounts off" Albany

expedition, and the ace" of the Collector Matthew Plowman, for whicli I have had no saliary

all that time, it being left to Coil: Dongan, who promised me that I should have 5 p"" cent for

it as p'' his write signed by him appeares ; but tlie cliange of tiie Govern' and afterwards the

revolutions hatii deprived me from it — If your Excell'^y would be pleased to be soe kind and

favorable to mee as to intimate the same to M"' W™ Blathwyte, That I may have an order to

receive in England or here, the sume of 150 or 2001b. off" all what is past, and the Commission

continued and a saliary established per annum it would be very thankfully accepted.

To write unto your Excell'^J' off" all the transactions liere and in our neighbouring Collonies

would be to tedious, besides have not that exact ace' of it only that Boston is setting out

Vessells to take Port Royall from the French if they cann — Conneticot Colony all in amies

to defend themselves against the French and their Indians, But our poore province of New

Yorke is all in an allarm both by the incursion off" the French and the warre, and is a worser

and sadder condition by the irregular manichment off" our present Rulers, which I hope God

will in a short time helpe us from in sending us a good wise Gouvernour out oft" England, that

soe wee may ones, live iiappy againe as formerly wee did in mean time I hope to hear of your

Excell; good and safe arrivall in England, and if a Governour is not come away for New Yorke,

that your ExcelKs" will have liad tlie opportunity to discours with him about tlie state and

condition off" this province and in particuler in favour and behalfe of your Excell"' good

friends here, not doubting but your ExcelK^ will still continue your kindnesse and favour to the

Colony and in particular to New Yorke, notwithstanding some ill people and these great

troubles and revolutions lately happened which it seemes are universal! in these parts off the

world — soe wishing your Excell'^>' all happinesse prosperity and health, praying excuse for my

tediousnesse and trouble I putt upon your Excellency, shall take leave and with all submission

assure your Excell"=y that I am and shall remaine as in duty bound — May it please your

Excellency your Excell'^'' most humble and reall serv'

(signed). S. v. Cortlandt.

New England. 1690. May the 19"'

P. S. Jacob Maurits is arrived att New Yorke bringing tidings, that Coll: Slaughter is to
come over for Gov' of New Yorke — Lieut: Gov' Nicholson Gov' off" Virginij — very suddenly,
pray God send him a good voyage.

People have been with niee to buy the lot of Ground of Peter Schaeftbanck. Your Excell:
please to order me what I shall doe in itt —

Wee hear that Capt" Nicholson is arrived in Virginij

!5' W" Phipps hath taken Port Royall

The French and Indians have destroyed new Darthmouth' in Casko Bay killed and carried
away 80 men.

' About the year 1682, Henry Josselyn, by virtue of .in order from Sir E. Andros, granted to certain persons in Maine n
township. " bounded South by the sea; North by the country: East by the river known as Damaras Cotte with tlie fresli
pond at the head of said River and so into the country ; and on the West by the great Island of Saecadalioc, and so througli
Batesmans gut into the sea south and by west, and also upward from Batesmans gut into the country to the Great falls and
from thenee to Great Monsweage falls, and thence a north and by west line into the Country." On 19th August, 1682, the
parties interested met in Boston, and agreed to lay out a town on Malons and Jentts' neck, on Sheepscot river, which was
called New Dartmouth. See Petition, Ac, of the inhabitants of New Dartmouth in Nc-w-Yorh Colonial Manuscripts, XXXIV.
It was afterwards (1758) incorporated by the name of New Castle {Maine llisiorical Collections. II., 232), and is in Lincolu
county. Me. ; but not on Casco bay, as stated in the text. — Ed.

720 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. Newton to Captain Klrliolmn.

[Xcw-Tork Papers, B. 11., VA. ]

2G"' May 1690 Boston.
Worthy Sir !

Last week Casco was taken, wherein several! Garrisons were contained SO souldiers ; hut
were so quarter'd that upon the attack they could not relieve one another and were all
destroyed and taken captives, with the women and children, saveing one man who was taken
before the engagement, and then made his escape. It is reported since thath York or Wells is
taken, and to he much feared that the ennemy will in a short time destroy all to Piscataqua,
if not that too. Our Charter Governo" little regarding that part of the country, or the lives of
so many of tlieir Maj''" subjects, as have already been destroyed, but mind smaller matters ;
and althougli his INIaj''" letf ( : according to my apprehension : ) gave them no larger Authority,
then to preserve the peace till further orders, yet they proceed according to the old charter
vacated in 1086. alid are going to the Election of a New Gover'^ and Magistrates upon
Wednesday next, and nothing will [go] down with tliem but a charter, but I fear without His
Maj'y^ speedy supply the country will be ruined — S' William Phipps' was fitted out hence about
3. weeks ago with two ships and some small vessels and seven or eight hundred men to Port
Royall which surrendered to him upon articles, and he is bringing Gov' Parrote^ with 70 other
french prisoners hither, has demolished the fort and brougiit away all the french, xmless such as

' Sir WrLLiAM Puiprs [one of the youngest of twenty-six eliilJren] was a New England man, born at Peniaquid in 1650,
where lie kept sheep until he was eighteen years old, then was au apprentice to a ship carpenter. "When he was free, he set
up his trade, and built a ship as Sheepscotc. After that, he followed the sea, and hearing of a Spanish wreck near the
Bahamas, he gave such an account of it in England, that, in leS.S, he was appointed commander of one of the King's frigates,
the Algier Rose, of eighteen guns, and went in search of it but failed. Soon after, being fitted out by the Duke of Albermarle,
upon a second voyage, he was more successful, and brought liome a treasure of near three hundred thousand pounds, his own
share being about sixteen thousand pounds only. The King knighted him. He was soon after appointed high sheriff of
Xew England, which he accepted with a view to serve his country, under a tyrannical government; but he could do no
service, and was in England again in 1088. King James, about the time of his abdication, offered him the government of
New England. It was not a time to accept of it. Sir Willi.\m had the character of an honest man. His education was veiy
low. lie was of a hasty temper, and being a stout man, he would use his cane and fist after he was governor. Some instances
of this sort with a captain of a man-of-war and a collector occasioned complaints against him in England, which he was sent
for to answer; and so far justified or excused his past conduct, that he was returning to his government, when he fell siek and
died [February 18th, 169-5], and was buried in St. Mary 'Woolnoth elinrch, London. By a series of fortunate incidents,
rather than by any uncommon talents, he rose from the lowest eiindition in life to be the first m,an in his country. Iliitc/iin.ioii's
History of JIassaclmsctts, I., p. S'.iO. — En.

■ Monsieur Perrot, having married the niece of M. Talon, Intendant of Canada, succeeded M. de M.aisonneuve as Governor
of Montreal, in 1670. In this situation he contrived, though his salary was but small, to become very wealthy in a few years,
V>y trading with the Indian.s. Count Frontenac, who wished to cheek this illicit trade, caused Mr. P. to be arrested, and kept
him prisoner for more than a year. A misunderstanding afterwards arose between Mr. P. and his patrons, the gentlemen of
the Seminary of St. Sulpiec, who, as Seigneurs of Montreal, had the right of presentation to the office of governor of that city,
and he was dismissed. He was ap])oinlcd governor of Acadia in 108-1, but here he also neglected the duties of his office,
applied himself entirely to trading with the Indians, and was consequently disgraced. lie was succeeded by M. de Minneval,
who was in command at Port Koyal when it was reduced by Sir W. IMiiiiji-s. Mr. Pkrrot escaped being captured on this
occasion by the English, who soon after left Port Koyal. Mr. P. tliereupon returned thither, and next attempted to reach the
river St. John, when he was taken by a pirate, who treated him verj- cruelly in order to force him to discover his treasure.
The pirate was fortunately cajitured by a French iirivntecr, and M. Pkrrot saved from the wreck of his fortune sufficient to
establish his family in France with advantage. The statement in the text is therefore erroneou.?. Mr. Pebrot is said to have
died soon after this. Two daughters survived him ; one of whom b<'ennic Countess of Roche Allard ; the other, Presidentess
of Lubert. Charlevoix, from whose Jlist. de la JVouv. Fr. the above particulars are borrowed, says, T. HI., 140, that Mr. Pebkot
was the first Governor of Montreal, but this is evidently a mistake, as appears by T. I., 407, of the same work. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 721

would swear allegiance to the Crowne of Englaml ; but we liave sutlered greater loss bj- farr
at Casco, then we have gained at Port Koyail, j-ett we are in a better condition and under a
better Govenn' here then at York, for that Tyrant and Usurper Leysler makes his will his law,
for in December upon the arrival of M"" Riggs there with His Maj'' letters to your Hon" directed
and in your absence to such as tooke upon them the care of the Governi' for the time being,
he commanded the letters from M"' Riggs, and presently according to the direction therein given
proclaimed their Ma"" the second tyme and stiled himself Lieut Gov"" and must goe under that
denomination ; for it is a crime of the highest nature, and enough to send any man to gaole
tiiat will not salute him by that name, and hath detained Coll : Bayard a considerable time in
prison in irons (: att the first carried him about the fort walls in irons in a chaire to terrific the
people : ) for no crime that I can. heare of, but being ( : as he termes all persons not of his
opinion : ) disafected to his Goverm' and speaking words against Leystler which he sales
is high treason, has likewise imprisoned jNP W'" Nicolls Jo: Perry the post, who are still
detained in prison without baile or mainprize paid severall others have been likewise imprisoned
for no crime, and upon petitioning of him, and calling him Lieut GoV gott their enlargements.
There is not long agoe arrived a Piratt run away from the West Indies, which he keepes iu
pay and has given him a commission, and as it is supposed, designes to make his escape with
him upon the arrivall of a Gov"' which we have great reason to wish may come with all speed,
for there is through his meanes such distractions amongst the Albanians that the country is
much endangered to be lost. Synnecteda is taken by the French and Indians in December,
and it is feared Albany will be attempted ere long which now may be very easily vanquished,
by reason of the divisions amongst them, caused by one Jacob Milborne, Leyslers Generall —
Leysler has demanded of the people at York ^£5000 for the warr with the french, and says if
they will not give it, he will take it from them by force, and supplies the Pyratt out of the
Merchants stores there, without any pay or giveing them soe much as a receit for the same,
and says he does not doubt, but that he shall have the power ; that if he send for the head of
any man there, itt would presently be brough.t to him — This is the short account I have of
him, and might enumerate a great deal more, but it would be to tedious, and therefore desist
the same presuming you may have a larger account from better hands — Hon''"* Sir

Your most humble servant to command

( signed ) Tho : Newton.'

M"' Cortlandt, Maj'' Brockolls and several other gents are forced to leave York and goe into
the Jersey — Coll : Dongan has been houuted by the s"* Leysler from place to place and last
come hither, where I hope he may be quiet —

' On the 23d March, 1691, Tuomas Newto:*, Esq., had his commission given liim, nnd took the oaths for his place of
Attorney-General. New -York Council Minutes, VI., 6. He went to Boston iu tho month following, and .James Graham
succeeded him as Attorney-General. Jbid. 15, 29. — Ed.

Vol. hi. 91

722 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Sir Edmund Andro6^ Report of Im Administration.

[New England, V. 223.]

To the Right Hon'''^ the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Plantations.

The state of New England nnder the goverment of S"" Edmond Andres.

That in the yeare 1686 S"' Edmond Andros was hy comission und"' the Create Seale of
England appoynted to succeed the President Dudley & Councill in the goverment of the
Massachusetts Collony, the Provinces of Hampshire and Maine and the Narragansett Country,
to W^"- was annexed the Collonyes of Rhoad Island New Plymouth and the County of Cornwall.

In the yeare 1687. the Collony of Connecticott was also annexed and in the yeare 16SS. he
received a new Commission for all New England includeing the Province of New Yorke and
East & West Jersey, with particuler order and directions to assert and protect the Five warlike
Nations or Cantons of Indians, lying West from Alhany ahove the heads of o'' rivers as far or
heyond Maryland vizt Maquaes, Oueydes, Onondages, Caeujes, and Sennekes, as the Kings
suhjects upon whom the French had made severall incursions, & to demand the setting at
liberty severall of them surprized and deteyned by the French, and reparation for sundry
goods taken from severall Christians His Majesties subjects in the lawfull prosecution of their
trade.

S'' Edmond Andros upon receipt of his Commission went to New Yorke and Albany of which
the Indians having notice, altho' they were then mett in Councill about goeing to Canada came
thither, and were setled, and confirmed und'' his goverment.

He forthwith signifyed to the Gov"' of Canada His Ma''"^' pleasure relateing to tlie Indians, and
made demand from him, pursuant to the above orders, and alsoe to quitt a considerable fort
which by incroachment he had built at Oniagra in the Senneka's Country southward of the
Lake within His Ma"" dominion, about one thousand miles distant from Quebeck in Canada
(notwithstanding all the endeavours and opposition made by the Govern'' of New Yorke, before
the annexation) upon an advantageous pass, neare the Indians hunting places, capable greatly
to annoy and nwe the Indians and obstruct and hinder the trade with them ; That thereupon
the Govern'' of Canada did accordingly withdraw the garrison and forces from the sayd Oniagra
and those parts, and did further signifie that the Indians by him taken were sent to France,
but would write to the King his master about theirs releasement.

The severall Provinces and CoUonys in New England being soe united ; the revenue continued
and setled in those parts, for the support of the government, amounted to about twelve tiiousand
pounds p"" ann"" and all places were well and quietly setled and in good posture.

The Church of England being unpi'ovided of a place for theyr publique woship, he did, by
advice of the Councill, borrow the new meeting house in Boston, at such times as the same
was unused, untill they could provide otherwise ; & accordingly on Sundays went in between
eleven and twelve in the morning, and in the afternoone about fower ; but understanding it
gave offence, hastned the building of a Church, w"""" was effected at the charge of those of the
Church of England, where the Chaplains of the Souldiers p^formed divine service & preaching.
He was alwayes ready to give grants of vacant lands and confirme defective titles as authorized
(the late Corporation not haveing passed or conveyed any pursuant to the directions in tiieir
Charter) but not above twenty have jiassed the scale in the time of his goverment.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 723

Courts of Judicature were setled in tlie several) parts, soe as might be most convenient for
the ease and benefitt of the subject, and Judges appoynted to hold the Terms and goe the
Circiiite throughout the Dominion, to administer justice in the best manner and forme, and
according to the lawes Customes and statutes of the realme of England, and some peculiar
locall prudentiall laws of the Country, not repugnant therto ; and fees regulated for all
officers.

That particuler care was taken for the due observance of y* severall Acts made for the
encouragement of navigation and regulateing the plantation trade, whereby the lawfull trade
and His Majestys revenue of Customs was considerably increased.

The Indians throughout the goverra' continued in good order and subjection untill towards
the latter end of the yeare 16SS. by some unadvised proceedings of the Inhabitants in the
Eastern parts of New England, the late rupture with the Indians there commenced, severall
beino- taken and some killed, when Sir Edmond Andros was at New Yorke more than three
hundred miles distant from that place ; and upon his speedy returne to Boston ( haveing viewed
and setled all parts to the Westward) great part of the garrison soldiers with stores & other
necessarys were imediately sent Eastward to reinforce those parts, and vessells to secure the
coast & fishery, and further forces raysed and ajjpoynted to be under'' the command of Maj'
Gen" Winthrop, who falling sick and declineing the service, by advice of the Couucill he went
with them in person and by the settlement of severall garrisons, frequent partyes, marches &
pursuits after the enemy, sometimes above one hundred miles into the desart further than any
Christian settlement in w"^" the officers and souldiers of the standing forces always imployed)
takeingand destroying their forts and settlem", corne, provision, ammunicon & canooes, dispersed
and reduced them to the uttermost wants and necessitys, and soe secured the Countrey, that
from the said forces goeing out untill the time of the late revolucon there, and disorderly
calling the forces from those parts, not the least loss, damage or spoyle hapned to the
inhabitants or fishery, and the Indians were ready to submitt at mercy.

About the latter end of March 16SS. S'' Edmond Andros returned for Boston, leaveing the
garrisons and souldiers in the Easterne parts in good condition, and sufficiently furnished w""'
provisions and all stores and implymeuts of warr and vessells for defence of the coast and
fishery.

On the IS"" of Aprill 1GS9. severall of His Ma"" Couucill in New England haveing combined
and conspired togeather with those who were Magistrates and officers in the late Charter
Goverment annually chosen by the people, and severall other p'sons, to subvert and overthrow
the goverment, and in stead thereof to introduce their former Comonwealth ; and haveing by
their false reports and aspersions gott to their assistance the greatest part of the people, whereof
appeared in arms at Boston und'' the comand of those who were Officers in the sayd former
popular goverment, to the number of about two thousand horse and foote ; which strange and
sudden appearance being wholly a surprize to S' Edmond Andros, as knowing noe cause or
occasion for the same, but understanding that severall of the Couucill were at the Couucill
Chamber where (it being the Ordinary Couucill day) tiiey were to meet, and some
p'-ticularly by him sent for from distant parts also there, he and those with him went thither.
And tho' (as he passed) the streets were full of armed men, yett none offered him or those
that were with him the least rudeness or incivillity, but on the contrary usuall respect; but
when he came to the Couucill Chamber he found severall of the sayd former popular
Majestrates and other cheife p'sons then p-^sent, with those of the Council!, who bad noe

724 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

suitable regard to him, nor the peace and quiet of the Countrey, hut instead of giveing any
assistance to support tlie Goverment, made him a prisoner and also imprisoned some members
of the Councill and otlier officers, who ia pursuance of their respective dutyes and stations
attended on him, and kept them for the space of ten months und'' severe and close coufinement
uutill by His Ma^" comand they wei'e sent for England to answer what might be objected them,
Where, after summons given to the p''tended Agents of New England and their twice
appearance at the Councill Board, nothing being objected by them or others, they were
discharged. In the time of his confinement being denyed the liberty of discourse or
conversation with any i)''son, his own servants to attend him, or any communication or
correspondence with any by letters, he hath noe p''ticular knowledge of their further
proceedings, but hath heard & und^stands : —

That soone after the confinem' of his p^son, the Confederates [took the] fort and Castle from
tlie Officers that had the comnnd of them, whom they also imprisoned and dispersed the few
souldiers belonging to the two standing Coinpanyes then there, as they /lid the rest, when they
recalled the forces imployed against the Indians Eastward ( which two Companys are upon His
Ma"''' establishment in England,) in w'^'" service halfe a company of the standing forces at New
Yorke being also imployed, the officers were surprised and brought prison''^ to Boston, and the
souldiers dispersed, as the remaining part of them at New Yorke were afterwards upon the
revolucon there. The other company was, and remained, at Fort Albany and are botii upon
establishment to be payd out of His Ma"''^ revenue there. And the Confederates at Boston
possessed themselves of all His Mat'"" stores, amies ammunicon and other implements of warr,
and disabled His Ma"" man of war the Rose frigatt by secureing the Comand'' and bringing
her sayles on shoare ; and at the same time haveing imprisoned the secretary and some other
officers, they broke open tlie Secrys Office and seized and conveyed away all records papers and
wrightings.

Those Members of His Ma"''' Councill that were in confederacy with the before menconed
popular Majestrates and other cheife actors in this revolucon, tooke upon them the goverment'
by the name of a Councill, who not content with the inconveniency they had brought on
themselves in the Massachusetts Colony, but to the ruine of the poore neighbours, on the
twentieth of Aprill gave orders for the drawing off the forces from Pemyquid and other
garrisons and places in the Easterne parts, far without the lymitts of their Collony and where
the seate of warr with the Indians was, and to seize severall of the officers, and for calling home
the vessells appoynted to gard the sea coast and fishery ; w"''' was done accordingly, and the forces
disbanded when most of the souldiers belonging to the standing Companys there, were
dispersed; of which, and their actings at Boston, the Indians haveing notice, (and being
supplyed with Amunicon and provision out of a vessell sent from Boston by some of the cheife
conspirators before the insurrection to trade with them) they were encouraged and enabled to
renew and pursue the warr ; and by the assistance of some French who have been seen
amongst them and engageing of severall other Indians before unconcerned, increased their
numbers, that in a very short tynu; severall hundreds of Their Ma""' subjects were killed and
carryed away caplive; The Fort at IVmycpiid taken; the whole Cuntry of Cornwall, the
greatest part of the I'rovince of Maine, and part of the Trovince of New Hampshire destroyed
and deserted ; and the priucipall trade of that countrey, w''' consisted in a considerable fishery,
the getting of masts, yards &" for the supply of His Mat^"' navy Roy all, and boards and other
lumber for the supply of the other West India plantacons, is almost wholy ruined.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 725

B}- the encournp;em' and p'swasion of those of the Massachusetts the severall other provinces
and collon}'s in New England as far as New Yorke have disunited themselves, and set up their
former seperate Charter, or popular goverments without Charter, and by that meanes the
whole revenue of the Crowne continued and setled in the severall parts for the support of the
Goverment is lost and destroyed.

The usuall time for election of new Majestrates at Boston comeing on in the begiuing of
May 1GS9. great controversie arose about the setling of Civill Goverment ; some being for a
new election, and others that the Majestrates chosen and sworne in 1686 before the alteracon
should reassume ; the latter of w'^'' was concluded on by them and the p''tended rep''seutatives
of the severall townes of the Massachusetts, and assumed by the s"* Majestrates accordingly,
and thereupon the old Charter Goverment, tho' vacated in Westminster Hall, was reassumed
without any regard to the Crowne of England, and they revived and confirmed their former
laws contrary and repugnant to the laws and statutes of England, setled their Courts of
Judicature, and appoynted new officers, and have p'sumed to try and judge all cases civill anil
criminall, and to pass sentence of death on severall of Their 31a''" subjects, some of whom
they have caused to be executed.

AUtlio in the revenue continued on the Crowne for support of the goverment dureing his
time, the country pay'd but the old establisht rate of a penny in the pound p'' Ann" as given
and practised for about fifty yeares past ; the present Administrators have of their own
authority, for not above six months, raysed and exacted from the people of the Massachusetts
Collouy seven rates and a half.

Since this insurrection and alteracon in New England they doe tollerate an unlimited
irregular trade, contrary to the severall acts of Plantations, Trade and Navigacon, now as
little regarded as in the time of their former Charter Goverment; they esteeming noe laws to
be biuding on them but what are made by themselves, nor admitt English laws to be pleaded
there, or appeales to His Ma""". And many sbipps and vessells have since arrived from
Scotland Holland, Newfoundland, and other places prohibitted, they haveing imprisoned His
Ma"'='' Collector, Survej'o"' and searcher, and displaced other Customhouse officers.

That they sent to Albany to treat with the Indians in those parts p''ticularly with the Five
Nations Maquaes Sc'^ and invited them to Boston ; which is of ill and dangerouse consequence,
bymakeing the sayd Indians p''ticularly acquainted with the disunion and seperate goverments,
and shewing them the countrey and disorders therof, as far as Boston, giveiug thereby the
greatest advantage to the French of gaining or subdueing the sayd Indians and attempting
Fort Albany (the most advanced frontier into the country and great mart of the beaver and
peltry trade) and of infesting other parts.

The forces raysed and sent out by them the last summer notwithstanding the great
encouragem' they promised of eight pounds p'' head for everj' Indian should be killed, besides
their pay, proved neither effectuall to suppresse the enemy or secure the country from further
damage and murthers ; and upon the winters approaching the forces were recalled and the
country left exposed to the enemy, who have already over runn and destroA'ed soe great a part
therof. And now by the assistance of the French of Canada may probably proceed further
into the heart of the country, being soe devided and out of ord'' unless it shall please His
Ma''" by his owne authority to redress the same, and put a stop to the French and Indians, and
thereby p'^event the ruine or loss of that whole dominion of i<e\v England & consequently of
Their Maj""* other American Plantacons ; endangered not only by the want of provisions, but

726 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

by tlie mnny sliips vessells, seamen and otlier necessarys in New England, capable to supply
and transport any force, may annoy or atteni])t those plantacons; but maybe by His Ma""
autliority and comands effectually setled and p'.served, and of service against the French or any
other Their Ma"" enemys in tliose parts, witli no greater land force then is necessary to be
continued there, and a sufficient revenue raysed to deiray the charge thereof, by dutyes and
rates as heretofore hath been practised amongst them and is usuall in other Their Ma""

plantacons. Humbly submitted by

E. Andros.
( Endorsed )

" S"' Edmond Andros's Acco'
" of the State of New England
" under his goverment.

ReC 27 May. 1G90."

IVaiTdi/f to Governor Slouyldtr to use the Seal of JVew-Yorh

[Mew-TorU Enlry, II. 251.]

To our Trusty and welbeloved Henry Sloughter Esq"'" our Capt" General and Governor in
Chief of our Province of New York, and the Territories depending thereon in America,
Greeting. Herewith you will receive a Seal appointed by Us for the use of our Province of
New Yorke and the Territories depending thereon in America, the same being Engraven on
the one side with our Royal Eftegies, and Two Indians kneeling & offering presents unto Us,
with our Royal Titles round the circumference of the said Seal, and on the other side with
our royal Amies, with the Garter, Crown, Supporters and Motto, and this Inscription round
the circumference. Sigillu.m Provinci.e Nostra Novi Ebouaci in America, which said Seal,
We do hereby authorize & direct to be used in the sealing all Patents and publick Grants of
Lands and all Publick Acts and Instruments which shall be made and passed in our name and
for our Service within our said Province and the Territories depending thereon and that it be to
all intents and purposes of the same force and Validity, as any former Seal within our Province,
or as any otlier Seal whatsoever appointed for the use of any of our Plantations in America
And so we bid you farewell. Given at our Court at Kensington the Thirty first day of May
1090. In the Second year of our Reign

By his Ma"* Command

Tilt copy of tlie pri^ceiling Warrant, in the Secretary's Olfice, in Book of Coininissions, 11., 10, has the signature "Willum
K." at tlie commencement, and " ^Iottlngham" at the end of the document. — Eu.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 727

Mr. Livingston to Lieutenant Governor NicJiolsvn.

[ New-Tork Papers, B. II. 451. ]

V^ June 1690.
Hou''''^ Sir.

We of Albany stood out the longest, till were deserted by all New England, and while I was
sent by tiie convention of Albany, to procure assistance from the neighbouring colonies, Leisler
sends up one Jacob Milborne, formerly a servant to a man in Hartford, but now a fitt tool for
liis turn with 160 men, who gott tlic fort surrendered to him, after I had maintained the
garrison, and all publick charge to tiie 12"" Marcli, turn'd out all the souldiers but 12 or 13.
which they took in againe, and so kept there for some weeks — This Jacob Milborne, John de
Bruine, and Johannes Provoost, under the dominion of New York commiss''^ spending their
time with drinking and Quaffing, while the French Indians comes and cutts off the people att
Canastagione, and above Synechtady, and never one of them catcht. We have all Leisler's
seditious letters secured which was the occasioir of the destruction of Synechtady, miraculously
found in the streets, all embrued w"* blood the morning after the massacre was committed, soe
that we want nothing but a Cover"' to call him to account — I writt to the Gent : of New York as
soon as I heard your honour was arrived, to send an expresse to Virginia, to be satisfied how
things are in England in reference to our province, and when we may expect Coll: tSlater,
fearing that our Tyrant will make his escape — He has fitted out a sliipp, Briganteen, a sloop
upon pretence of going to Canida who committ all manners of robberies in the sounde, having
stole 30 Sheepe and 10 Calfs from Maj"' Wintrops Island, fired severall gunus at Road Island,
and by a man that hatli deserted the said vessell, understand they design to take a Vessell with
provisions and soe for the south sea, on Ginnee, and it is thouglit Leisler will make his escape
after he has gott in this rate, he hath lately made with his pretended assembly and soe march
oft", which I hope will be prevented. If a Govern"" come not speedily it is much to be feared,
the Country will be lost, all goes to confusion, all the Eastern parts lost and destroyed, no
shipps ready to make an assault on Quebeke as was proposed, no army by land," the few sorry
and despicable fellows that Leysler sent up as Souldiers to Albany, most of them being boys,
dye like rotten sheep, of the bloody flux, by the fishy porke that Leisler robbed of the merciiauts,
upon pretence to press itt for the Kings service.

I am forced to abscond, haveing not seen my family these three months, have seized on my
estate, because I will not give an account of the excise to him — Brother Cortlandt, Coll:
Willett, Capt" Jackson IVP Whitebread' and other gents: are forced to do the same; you will
have an ace' iiow tyranically he uses Coll: Bayard and the other Gents in prison at New York,
so that shall need to say little to those affaires ; I doe keepe at Hartford, and am come downe
here to passe some few dayes with Coll : Wintrop, wiiom the General Court of this Colony
have requested to be the Generall — after that the Commissioners of the three Colonies met at
New-York, had left it to Capt" Leisler to choose the chief commander — I know not how to
avade it — O brave doeings when all New England must come like servants to truckle to such
an usurping Tyrant. —

The 160 men that Boston had raised to send us, who were upon their march were called
back, upon the news of Caskoe being destroyed. This Colony has another camp ready, which
they keep at home, fearing of the flux, that hath taken their men ofli" the other camp at the

' Whttebead. — Ed.

J2S NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

green bush, soe that if soniee speedy relief do not come, tlie King is liked to loose his interest
ill these parts. Coll: Wintrop who hath contrary to all their expectations accepted to take the
command of the forces at Albany presents his respects to you, says he had his share of troubles
since your departure. The Gent: here knew they did not deserve, that he should take the
trouble upon him, but he is soe willing to serve the King and the Country, that he waues
all these things for the present. They sent an expresse to Leisler about it, but I know not
what answer they have got come up to Hartford —

Sir. I have sent enclosed copies of some of my transactions with these Colonies, in the
behalfe of Albany. They are scarce worth your perusing, considering the business you will
have to doe in settling of the Dominion. I have no more to add at present, begging the favour
to hear from you, which will be extream acceptable in our solitary condition — soe shall remaine

— Honorable Sir — ettc.

Rob' Livingston.

J//'. Jjlving-s-ton to the Government of Connect ictd.

[ Xcw-Turk Papers, B. 11. 4S3. ]

To the Hon'''"' the Govern'' & Councill and Representatives of Their Maj"" Collonie of
Connetticut assembled att a General Court att Hartford the 9"" of JNIay IG'JO. —

The Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Albany have desired me to return their hearty
thanks to Your Hon''' for taking their request in consideration: by granting them men for their
assistance, ag*' the common ennemy begging to be excused for their not writeing to your Hon'''
not being able to express tliemselves in the English tongue, they write to me that they can
supply the men with bread and pease, for the like quantity att N. York, but have no porke, nor
flesh to exchange, neither would I advise your Hon''' to doe it, by any means for your Hon'''
men are used to good provisions, and if they should get fishy porke it would not agree with
them — They have also desired me to acquaint you with the affairs of that place, since great
things were supposed would be done after a submission to Capt" Leislers authorit)-, which
they only by the advice of your Hon''' and neighbouring Collonies have done, but doe not finde
the effect as was expected, neither is the business of the warr, or Indians anyways promoted,
or sett forward, nor their Maj"" subjects preserved; The French Indians have murdered and
destroj-ed divers persons and houses, and in two several places lately, but not one of the
Ennemie assaulted, the scouts they sent to the lake returned pretending wanted provisions ;
the three Comss" sent to Albany by Capt" Leisler, doe no great feats, except throwing some of
the Citizens into gaole, and carrying them up into the fort by musquetiers without mittimus or
warrant, nay the Capt" of the guard not escaping, but carried from the very watch to the fort
by Milbourn. These are the least of our troubles, now many of Leislers own faction can cry
as loud for a Gover' comeing from England as ever we did : but I shall not detaine this Hon'"'^
Assembly by relating how the poor people there have been oppressed and impoverished by
220 men, eating up tlnnr victuals, without any provisions delivered out, when 5 days quarters
were but desired ; nor with the souldiers murnniriug for their agreement not being performed,
not with tlu> news lately comr froni Canida liow its repoiled, tiiat '). Simu'kes are there

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 799

makeing of peace with the French, nor the Indians of the 5 nations not comeing down and
the Mohogs backwardness to pursue the French praying Indians; the desire the Eastern
Indians have of a peace, signified to us by the Sachim of Skachkook wliich I have sent an
ace' of to the Gov'' and Councill of Boston.

These and otiier such matters being more proper to be discoursed at large with a Conimitee,
then to keep your Hon" up from proceeding on greater business ; only one I must putt Your
Hon" in mind of, which I am affraid, if not remedied, will prove so pernicious, will ruine all
His Maj"" affiiires in our parts ; That is that a General for all the forces att Albany, be
appointed by the United Colonies who send their forces thither till our Cover"' comes, and not
left to Capt" Leisler, upon pretence of his sending up the most men — Gentl""' you all know
iiow many mieschiefs and calamitys has happened in former ages by the contendings of chief
OlHeers, neither will the people that goe from hence be easiely commanded by such persons as
Laisler shall nominate to be theire head, and wether there be any of his creatures, that are
capable so great a charge and trust, since the principle persons of that province, both for
conduct and estates are forced to abscond from his cruelty — I leave Your Hon" to judge, it is
a business of great moment, the Kings interest, and the lives of a great many of his subjects,
lyes att the stake, and itt is in your Hon" power, now to prevent many mischiefs that may
ensue. I hope your Hon" doe not look upon Albany as Albany, but the frontier of Your
Hon" CoUony, and of all their 3Iaj"" countries, and you Hon" have all a peculiar interest in
the preservation of that place, and tlierefore it would be convenient, that there were a judicious
man from each CoUony to reside there, till His Excell: our Gov"' arrives, to manage all att'airs
and not leave itt to such, who by report can not manage themselves — The Mayor and
Aldermen who he continued out of meer fear and terrour of the Indians, have not that
correspondence and familiarity with the three New York Commissioners as was expected, the
said Commiss" managing most affairs without them, except such as they know not how to
proceed on without their advice.

We hope we shall have a Gov'' speedily, but in the mean tyme, it will be very requisite that
the united Colonies take Inspection of all affairs with us, since their interest and ours are so
inseparable ; fearing that if the business do miscarry we shall be ruined and that without
lamentation, for all the world will say, why did they trust persons to manage Kings affaires,
which the King himself never did entrust, nay, such as have reason to believe, that all theyr
actions will be called in question, as soon as a Govern'" comes, whom God send speedily to deliver
us from the arbitrary yokes that poor province lyes under, and restore to us the Ministry of the
Gospell which in some parts, by their evill management the Kings liege people are deprived
of — I shall conclude with an humble request in the behalf of the City of Albany, that the
forces your Hon"" design thither for their assistance and the annoying the common ennemy,
may be dispatched with all possible speed, since they long extreamly for their coming, and that
your Hon" would be pleased to remainde the Gent" of Boston to do their part by sea towards
Ciuebeek, and so shall remaine Your Hon" most obedient Ser"'

Rob' Livingston.

Vol. III. 92

730 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mr. Livingston to tJie Gomrnment of Connecticut.

[ Ncw-Tork Papers, B. II- 453. ]

To the Hon'''^ the GoV and Councill and Representatives of His Majesty's Colony of Canetticnt
now assembled att a general Court in Hartford the 1:3"' Day of May 1G90.

Hon"'^ Gent"

I am fully perswaded your Hon" are now satisfyed the Gent: of Albany did not without
cause dread to think of having fort and citty brought under Leislers command, when they
considered on the one hand, what persons he designed to employ to have the management of
all affairs, and the five nations on the other hand to deal with all, when the least disgust of
such a nature may prove so fatal to all the countrey, which is so little regarded by those
persons called Commiss" there, that they do not stick to doe any violence to exasperate the
heathen.

Haueing had sufficient experience of their strange manageing of affaires with us, and their
ntter ignorance to deal with the Indians, caused me and the other Gent" sent from the convention
of Albany, and the County of Ulster to be the more importunate with your Hon" last March
to have Capt Balls comp^ continued there, to putt a stop to VJ Jacob JNIilbornes dangerous
proceedings ; I think they have now sufficiently pulled off the vizard, appearing in their own
colours, and declare by their actions to all the world, that their designs never was to promote
the King and Countrey's interest, but to bring that poor place to poverty and slavery, and to
obtain their own ambitious ends ; if the seizing of Church lands, abusing of Ministers, and
other loyal] subjects, insomuch that the heathen tiiemselves are necessitate to rescue them out
of their hands, occasioning a whole mutiny in the Towne, when the Sachims Capt"^ of all the
5 nations were there to take notice of it, wether these be actions fitt for Protestants, and them
that have the sole command, I leave the world to judge and wether we can expect the blessing
of God upon our enterprises, when affairs must chieftly be managed by their Councells; wee
were all sufficiently satisfied that the Sachims of the five nations would wholly rely upon the
Mayor and Aldermen of Albany till a Gov"' came, and it had been a desired work, if the three
coUonies had in such a juncture joyned with the Convention of Albany and the five nations in
the carrying on of the warr till our Gov' arrived and not concerned themselves with Capt"
Leisler, but we are all satisfyed what they did, was aimed for the best and publick good of
the country.

Wee hope the business is npt so farr gone, but that it can be remedied, since it is apparant to
the world if Mr Milbourn have any command, there no good can be expected to be done in the
King's concernes, the Indians being such implacable people never to be reconciled with thein
they once disafect, and since it is evident that he is i)erson that Capt" Leisler pitches upon to
be the Generall of all Your Hon" forces, I begg earnestly that your Hon" would not only be
pleased to write to Capt" Leisler to call home tiie said Milbourn from Albany, but with the
neighbouring Collonies appoint a General, and send Com" who with tlie INIayor and Aldermen
may manage all aftiiirs at Albany, and if the said M'' Milbourne or his associates, should
obstruct their proceedings to protest against them as enemies to the Kings interest and so
manifest to the world your Hon" dislike of these illegall and rash proceedings and then appoint
a Generall of the New England forces who may goe out with the promised aides of the five
nations, to annoy the common ennemy, since the distemper is so vehement att Albany and the

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 731

New York forces wliereof few, as is reported fitt for such an expedition, to stay at Albany and
Guarde the towne ; that soe the business of the warr may be carried on, especially since our
ennemies.of Canida, are now mean and low for want of provisions: I pray Uod to direct your
Councills in soe difficult a business, it looks very cloudy and dark, yet the God that made
light shine out of darkness, can bless your Hon" eudevours in this affair, above all human
expectations ; I declare though Capt" Leisler and his party have endevoured to destroy my
good name and estate, and still doe persist therein, yett I should little regard itt, soe that main
business may be carried on without obstruction — Hoping that the Gent: of Boston will not let
soe good au opportunity passing witliout laying hold of itt and proceed by water as the Indians
are given to understand to prevent their expected succours comeing in, who can by that means
soon be overcome — I am

Your Hon" most obedient servant

Rob' Livingston.

Lieutfiumt Governor Lul-shr to tin; Eavl of SlireK'^biinj.

[ New-York Entry, II. 273. ]

Fort William in N. York
June 2-y^ 1G90.
]\Iay it please Your Lordship

By Ensigne Joost Stole's arrival here on the 20"" I\Iay last wee have an account of the late
Lieut' Governor Nicolson & M"' Alexander Linis there being in England before him, & the
loss of our former Packetts taken by the French, which give an opportunity to them not only
to shew a fair face of so 111 a cause but to render it in an other shape than in Truth it is, but
especially that which makes us happy is, that his Maf is pleased to refer the affairs of New
York unto your Lodpp's notice whereby we are passed all doubt of having y'' Truth vindicated
and although our Matter may be unpolished, yet we are the more emboldened to adventure it
in its rough dress by reason of so worthy a Patron & the sincerity of our Actions for which
wee become humbly suitors to your Honor to take a view of as (not knowing to whom we
should apply ourselves) Its humbly p''sented to the Right Rev'' Father in God Gilbert Lord
Bishop of Sarum in our Packetts of January 7"" March 31 last past, but have no notice of the
receipt thereof, w""" if should miscarry would be very greivous both in Respect to his Ma''''
Interest as well as the Ace' given of Transactions. Therefore have sent to your Lodp Copyes
of the same beseeching your perusal thereof and that according as the case requires it may be
represented unto His Ma'^ Craving leave to add that since the last we have now at Albany 400
men ready with Provisions and aminunicion. accfording to our Abilities & finding the Threatening
Dangers of the French to encrease, who incessantly Solicite the Indian Nacons before mentioned
to joyn with them (whom through Gods Providence & our Commissioners vigilance were
prevented) and prevailed with to come to Albany the 5 Nacons their Kings & Chieftaens in
person where on the 3'^ day of May were assembled & proposed divers Articles unto them which
succeeded with suitable returns as by the paper No 1 appears' at the same time obtained a

' See aute p. 712. — Ea

732 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

meetiiio- of the Commissioners from Boston, Plymouth & Connecticutt Colonyes of New
En'flimd to consult what aught to be done by them in so necessary a work it was resolved that
those of New England should raise 355 men, Maryland 100, and New York 400 men^'as p'' the
paper No : 2 : of which to this day arrived at Albany no more than 70 odd from the Colony of
Connecticutt though the rest have made large promises to send the respective numbers which
are so much waited for, we having fresh Notices of great preparacions those of Canada are
making to attack us. resolving by Gods assistance to joyn the Indians who have assuVed us of
ISOO men now ready to march into the French Territoryes to prevent their assaults the
Integrity of those Heathens we have great reason to depend on by severall Proofe already
given us viz' Their Killing diverse of their kindred which were subjects of the French King
& taking & killing sev' French of which they have presented us with [three.] But what most
remarquable is that understanding by our agent at onondage messengers were expected to the
several Nacons from the Gov' of Canada to seduce them from their Contracts made with us
w'' by the Instruccons and Memories of Chevallier deaux doth appear who was sent with 4
other French Men and 4 Indians which had been carried Captives to France and returned again
Our Comm" at Albany sent an order that if possible the said Emmissaries Should be made
Prisoners @ returned to Albany, otherwise to treat them as ennemyes to y^ Crowne of England
w* as soon as they came was effected with all imaginable vigour the 5 Nacons being met by
their chieftanes together at Onondague aforesaid, (which is their Court) Seized them and
bound them instantly despoyling them of all their Money, Presents & what they had, presenting
to the Sinneks, Coiegues, Oneydes and Macquaes each one of the French men to be treated in
their Barbarous manner, and the said Chevallier being Principal agent with his paper No 3 to
us amongst which is found a Letter to Pere millet a Jesuit at Oneyde in Latine characterize
Dom Dell minister of Albany according to what we have had long reason to supect him at
p'sent confined in this Fort William from whom hitherto receive little or no light nevertheless
it animates our Soldiers & the Indians. We much want Amies & Powder although ibr the
Present we hope we may subsist untill His Ma'*" will please to furnish us which we are in
hopes care is already taken for us & should not doubt the maintaining our Post if the Persons
appointed for taxing the S"* P lb granted by the aforesaid Assembly were not influenced by the
Malignant Party W*" wee feare will abate one half of the sums intended thereby. If so our
humble suite must be unto His Ma''' for advanceing some what for our encouragement having
set forth a ship w"" 24 Guns & 150 men, A Brigantein with 0 Guns & 4 Petitrearers and a
Chaloup with 4 Guns & 4 Petitrearers, the one of 50 men the other 70 men Counnissionated
to go hence to Boston @ obtain what Shipps and Forces possible can be raised to proceed for
Canada River & prevent releif from France as well as assist the Forces sent P land whome we
trust in God will in due time meet, to answer as much as in us lyes, the Ends of his Mat>*
Declaracon of War against the French and their Adherents, Whilst Matters thus circulate
news arrives here that King James Forces in Ireland hold ground, his Ma'"*' dissolving the
Parliament & that too many Evill minded Psoijs prevaile therein hath given such unexpected
life & vigour to that Party within this Citty that on the C"" day of June Instant a Rout of
Thirty odd persons appeared in the street & assault** the Person of the Lief Gov" for the
time being one particularly striking at him with an Adz : refusing to pay the Tax which was
laid by an Assembly fairly elected to maintain and support the necessary charges of this
Warr, demanding certain Malefactors to be n>leased from Prison in a most audacious manner,
but were soon quelled & Twenty odd are imprisoned in order to their Tryalls whereby it is
evident if they could but have the power what Party they afrcrtcd & y' wee should be reduced

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 733

to our former State, every wind that blows favorably on King James part raising their
billowes: and now most humbly pray your Lordpp y' wee may be stated in such Capacity as
to his Ma"'' Wisdome shall seem meete and be freed from our ibrmer bondage and secured in
our Religion and proper tyes for which as we have hitherto counted nothing too deare to
engage & part withall soe we trust by divine assistance to perpetuate to our lives end
subscribing our selves

New York. June 24"" 1690

* P. S. May it please yo'' Lopp

Since the abovewritten came notice from Albany of great distractions amongst the Forces

Raised for the Canada Expedition which if are not forthwith Composed, may be of Sad

consequence both in regard of the Indians and the French, therefore are necessitated to send

up JNIajor Milbourn for that purpose who was called from that post to have kissed your Lopps

hand with the abovewritten, Intending to dispatch him for England in few days to give a more

particular Ace' of Affaires, In the mean time Crave leave to recommend our Trusty and good

Friend Capt Blagge, one of the Councill, to whome full Credence may be given in what lie

shall relate, beseeching your Lopps {\ivour to him in admittance, at such times and seasons as

may be proper to apply himself for the Kings Intrest, and the future well being of this province.

Subscribe ourselves.

R' Hono"''

your Lordships

Obed' Suppliants

Hendrick Janse Jacob Leisler

Cornelius ?"■ D Lanoy

Robert Walters Sam" Edsall

Gereat Duyckinck Sam" Staats

Pexer Gerard Beckman

Imtructiom of the Governor of Canada to Chevalier UEau.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[ New-York Papers, B. II. 352. ]

Memorandum to serve as Instructions for Chevalier D'Eau, a reformed Captain,
going to the Iroquois.

It is necessary for the proper execution of our intentions in the voyage to the Iroquois which
Sieur Chevaher D'Eau is about to make with Orehaoue's folks, that he be fully informed of
what we did, when by our permission the same Oreaoiie, in the beginning of November of last
year, sent from Montreal tiiither Cahon and two other Indians whom we had brought back
with him from France ; and that he knew that Oreaoiie instructed Cahon by the Belt he gave
him, merely to acquaint the whole tribe, that their ancient father Onnontio, from whom they

' The postscript and signatures to tliis letter are added from the copy of the document in New-York Colonial Manimripis,
XXXVI. — Ed.

734 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

had during ten years received so many marl\S of friendsliip, had brought him back from
Fi'ance witli all his people by order of the Great Onnontio, who no sooner learned the treason
committed against them than he condemned it, and was desirous of repairing it by setting
them at liberty.

Our intention was in no wise that any thing should be said to them from us, of which they
might take advantage and become more arrogant, as happened through the advances the
Marquis de Denonville had formerly made them ; but only that the news of Oreaoiie's return
and ours to this country should excite among them the desire to come and seek him, and to
receive a father from whom they always experienced such good treatment.

Nevertheless, Father Lamberville urging us to permit Ncz Coupe to return with Oreaoiie's
people, and to give some answer to the message he carried to Monsieur de Denonville ;
whatever repugnance we felt could not make us refuse this Father's urgent entreaties, and we
commissioned him by a Belt to inform the tribe, merely, that their ancient father Onnontio had
returned, and that he was jiersuaded had they known that he was in this country, that they
would not have dared to send him proposals similar to those this Ncz Coupi- had brought to
Monsieur de Denonville, as they knew him sufliciently to be certain he would indignantly
reject them.

As it eventually turned out that this A\'c Conjir did not do as he was ordered, having been
entrusted, unknown to us, with several private belts, it is probable that he acted quite contrary
to what we recommended him, and this jirincipally is what Sieur Chevalier D'Eau must
endeavor to find out by all manner of means, in order to destroy whatever he might have
alleged, by disavowing on our jiart what this Ncz Coupe might have stated from himself, or at
the solicitation of individuals who had confided Belts to him.

Should he think proper, then, he will present them a Belt to this effect in our name, after
Oreaouu's people shall have presented all theirs, or even at another meeting ; and he will say
to them by this Belt what I authorized the Ncz Covpe to tell them, and he will add simply, that
we have been surprised that they, after the joy they should have experienced on learning our
return and the favorable sentiments we continue to entertain towards them, should not have
condescended so to testify to us by sending us some of their chiefs and head men, and that
they should have been satisfied by despatching this Ncz Covpc, in whom we did not think
proper to repose any confidence, nor even to see nor listen to him.

Sieur Chevalier D'Eau will be particular not to enter into any details of business, and if
pressed to reply to the questions which may be made him, to answer them always in general
terms, by giving them to understand that we have made Oreaoue master of the word; assuring
them, nevertheless, that we always entertain those sentiments a true father ought to have for his
children when they are no longer froward and are willing to listen to reason.

This will not prevent him dilating in private conversations a little more, by representing
how wrong it would be in them should they desire to continue to embroil themselves with a
father who has treated them during ten years with so much gentleness ; that they ought to
know us sufficiently to be persuaded that we are incapable of doing the like;' that we were
the first to condenm it when we became aware of it, and that we should have never returned
to this country had not the Great Onnontio been pleased to consign Oreaoiac and his people
into our hands for tlie purpose of bringing them back.

As for tile rest, the war tlu'y would wish to coutimii; against the French cannot fail to be

' Ileforriui; to Iho uuwairaulablc seiziiru ol' tlic Iroi|iiois at Cntaraeoiii, aiul tlitir traiispoi'tatiou to Fi'aucf. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 735

prejudicial to tliem and destructive to their whole nation, as they could learn from their people
who had returned from France, the strength and power of the Great Onnontio, of which he
should not speak to them lest they might imagine tliat he would exaggerate.

He will take occasion to inform them what the King has done for the King of England ; what
he will continue to do against the English of this country who are rebels to their Prince ; the
ravages the King's ships have committed on the coasts of Boston and Manathe, with the capture
of several vessels ; those that the Canibas' perpetrated last year and still continue to commit
with the French, whom Onnontio adjoined to tiiem ; the destruction of the town of Corlar;
and tlie probable success of the other parties wliom Onnontio has sent out, ought to satisfy
tiieni that Onnontio does not fear the English, and that they must not expect great succor; that
they can still perceive, by the conduct Onnontio has ordered the French to observe, that this
war does not concern them, the French having spared the lives of all those of their tribe found
at Corlar, and not wishing even to make them prisoners ; but if after so many proofs of
Onnontio's goodness towards them they will not reflect and resume their former disposition,
they must not expect Onnontio to listen to any accommodation, but that he will adopt the
resolution, with whatever sorrow and regret, to act as an angry father who will reduc^e his
children to reason by all manner of means, seeing that the ways of mildness were of no use.

That still hoping that his children would be reasonable, he had not hesitated to grant
Oreaoiie's request — to grant him some Frenchmen

The rest is tored out.

Onnontio is either the King or Governor. ManatJie is New-York.
Oreaoue is the Indian King that was carried prisoner to France.

Corlar signifies Schenecteda, the village near Albany that was hurnt and destroyed last winter by
the French.

Copia vera

(signed) Abraham Gouverneur.

Message of Oreaoue, the Cayvga Cliief.

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New-York Papers, B., II. .354]

Message that Oreaoue entrusted to those he sent to the Iroquois.

First Belt. This Belt is to wipe away the tears of the Five Nations, and to remove
everything that is bad that might remain in their throats in regard to the unfortunate
occurrences that have taken place, and also to wash away the blood with whicli they are
covered.

2d Belt which must be divided in ttco. The first half is to testify to them the joy Oreaoue
felt on learning that the Outaouaes have promised to restore to the Senecas the prisoners
they had.

' Charlevoix {History Nouo. Fr.) says, tlio Canibas are the real Abenakis. — Ed.

736 NEW-YORK COLONIAL ^L\NUSCRI^TS.

The remaining half is to tell them that he is very glad they instructed him to tell Onnontio
that they ordered their people, who had been out to war since last fall, to spare the lives of
any prisoners they might take among the French ; and that Onnontio, on his side, has promised
him that if the J'rench should capture any of theirs, they would act in like manner until he
should receive an answer from those he sent to the Five Nations.

3d Belt. Is to thank the Five Nations for having requested Onnontio to send him and his
nephews back on the ice, and to ask them to place all the French prisoners in the hands of the
Onontagues, in order that they may restore them if an arrangement take place.

4?/t Belt. Is to tell them that he sees very well they forgot him as well as their ancient
father, Onnontio, since they have not sent any chiefs to see and speak to their father ; and that
they would have aflbrded him pleasure by sending merely one to see him.

5th Belt. Is to say to all the Nations that he wishes to see some chiefs at Montreal ; that
lie is like a drunken man who has lost his reason, seeing they send nobody for him; and
that he wishes that those who are in the habit of transacting business with him, should come, in
order that they may know the good will Onnontio has for the whole Nation, and the good
treatment he and his nephews have received since they were restored to his hands in France.

6th Belt. Is to bind the arms of the Five Nations in order to draw them to Montreal ; and
after that to take them back with him.

1th Belt. Is to tell them that it is at his request that Onnontio has sent one of his principal
officers, who is also well known among them, to accompany his people; that this Belt is
likewise to exhort them not to listen to the Dutch, who have upset their minds; and not to
meddle in their attairs, nor to be alarmed because Onnontio has begun chastising them, as they
are rebels to their lawful king, whom the Great Onnontio protects ; that this war does not
concern them, which they may clearly perceive, because the French in sacking Corlar did
no injury to those of their nation, all of whom they sent back, without ever desiring to take
away one of them as a prisouer.

S/A Belt. To say that he, Oreaoiie, is brother of all the French, but particularly of Colin, who
has had particular care of them during their voyage from France and since their return to this
country ; that they botii constitute only one body, and not wishing to go and see them, as they
did not come to seek him (though he is perfectly at liberty to do so), he divides himself in two,
and sends one half to iuvite them to come and find him in all security, as they will be as free
as he ; that he does not wish to leave his father to whom he desires to be always united. Let
them be of good heart, then, and come to Montreal, where they will find him with Onnontio,
who always entertains for the whole nation and for him the same friendship, of which he has

given them so many proofs during ten years.

A true copy,
(signed) Abraham Gouveuneur.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 737

Petition of Captain Benjamin Blacjrj to tlie King.

[New- York Entry, II. 203.]

To THE KixGs Most Excellent Mat''

The humble Petition of Cap"-" Benjamin Blagg on tlie behalf of Capt" Lie.sler
the present Lieut' Gov"^ and the Council of your Mat'" Province of New
York in America

Shnucth

That your Pef being lately arrived from thence, and being a Witne.sse to the Matters of
Fact herein related ; doth at earnest request and special directions of the said Governor @
Councill humbly represent to your Ma''"'

That the Inhabitants of tiie said Province upon the first notice they received of tlie late
Happy Revolution in England; the more effectually to secure y* said Province and Government
for your Ma''" service Did think themselves obliged to remove the late Lieut Govei"' Nicholson

And therefore your Ma"" most Loyall and Dutiful Protestant subjects of the said Province
(being the most considerable both for number and Quality) at their Great Cost and expence,
as well hazard of their lives, in the Assaults, Menaces, and Tumults, raised by the contrary
party did happily effect the same, by making choice of the present Governor, and choosing a
Council for his Assistance, and Proclaiming your Ma"" in the said Province, notwithstanding
the Council, Mayor, and Aldermen denied their Concurrence, The Commissions of the
Militia were also altered and given out in your Ma"" Name, all which the said Lieut' Gover''
& Council, and the rest of your Ma'''' most Dutiful Subjects of the said Province humbly
conceive your Mat' letter, some short time after rec*" by them, doth confirme them in

This being done in opposition to a great many factious Disturbers, @ Rioters, who treated
your Ma'J" Govern""' with great scorne & contempt, & at a time when the People were under
great apprehensions, and fears of the French on the Borders, which rendered this Proceed^
necessary to secure your Ma'J" Interest, yet disaffected party, being they who were of the
Government, in King James's time threaten the Distruction of those who are in the Present
Governm*, if ever the same come into their hands again. Which that it may never do.

Your Ma'''' Petitioner doth most humbly pray that the present Lieut' Gov' and
Council may receive your Ma'''' approbation in what they have already Acted, and
that your Ma''' would be graciously pleased y' the Assembly there, may have leave to
choose the Members of the Councill that so your Ma'J" most dutiful subjects may
reap the Benefit of this their great Industry And expence, an hazard, under the
happy influence of your Ma"" Government, and may frustrate the wicked designs of
your Maf' and their, Enemys on the Place, and that your Ma'^ w"* graciously be
pleased, to give order that the Place, may be furnished with Ammunition and some
Guns for the greater strength and security thereof. And that your Ma"" Petitioner
may be heard upon the Premises, and in what he hath further to offer in representing
the present state of the said Province to your Maties.

And your Pef on the behalf of the said Province shall ever Pray &c.

Vol. III. 93

738 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

A Memoi'ial of what 7ias occurred in JSfew-YorJc, <£c.

[New-Toik Entry, II. 265.]

A Memorial of what has occiirred in their Ma'^' Province of New York since
tlie News of their Maf' happy arrival in England. Setting forth the
necessity of Removing Capt" Francis Nicholson (late Lieu' Governor of
the said Province) and putting the Command tliereof into the liands of such
Persons of whose Fidelity and good Inclination to their Present Maf' the
aforesaid Province is well assured

The said Capt Nicholson (in imitation of his Predecessor (Coll: Dongan) wholly neglecting
to repair the Fort & J'ortifications of the Citty and that not without a veiiement Suspition,
thereby the more easily to betray tiie same into the Enemies hands, of which he gave the said
Province sufficient ground of Apprehension by discovering both by words @ actions, his
Disaffection to the Happy Revolution in England & also to y' Inhabitants of the Citty by
threatning to fire y' same about their ears

Whereupon the Inhabitants in order to secure tlie said Fort and Citty for tlieir Ma'^' use, and to
repaire and Fortify the same, and to place tlie (jovernmeut of the Province in the Hands of some
of undoubted Loyalty and affect" to tlieir Present Ma'^" Did remove y^ said Capt: Nicholson
and made choice of Capt : Jacob Liesler with a Committee (who were also chosen by the
People) to take into their Hands the care and cliarge of tlie Government until their Ma""
Pleasure should be further knowne.

Shortly after arrived their Maf' Proclamation, to Proclame tiiem King & Queene of England,
France, and Ireland, notice whereof was given to those of the former Council, and to the
Mayor & Aldermen of the Citty to assist in Proclaiming tliereof with the proper Ceremonies
for that solemnity, who desired an hours time to Consider of it, Which time being expired and
no compliance yielded, but on the contrary an aversion discovered thereto, The said Capt"
Liesler, accompanied with the Committee and most part of the Inhabitants, did with all the
demonstrations of Joy and affection they were capable of celebrate the same

Whereupon the Mayor & Aldermen were suspended and some persons confined who were
the most eminent in opposing their Maf' Interest and this Revolution, And some short time
after this their Ma'^^ Letter arrived, Directed to Capt" Francis Nicholson Esq"' Lieut' Govern''
of his Ma'''* Province of New-York and in his absence to such as for the time being do take
care for the preservation of their Ma''^ Peace, and administring the Lawes in that there Ma'^"
Province ; ordering such to take upon them the place of Lieut Governor and commander in
Cheif of the said Province and to Proclaim King William & Queen Mary King & Queen of
England, Scotland, France, and Ireland and supream Lord & Lady of the Province of New
York, if not already done which was accordingly done

The Inhabitants of the s'' Citty and Province Conceiving that by vertue of their Ma'>' said
Letter the said Capt" Liesler was sufficiently impower'' to receive the same & to act accordingly,
It gave them a general satisfaction, whereupon the s** Committee were immediately dismissed,
and a Council chosen by whose assistance Capt Leisler, Acts in the said Government, Pursuant
to his Maf" order.

The members of the former GovernnuMit, notwithstanding gave all the opjjosition they could
to tliis Reforuiation, and have created a Faction in the said province to the endangering of the

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 739

losse thereof, since it happens at a time, that we are under continual alarms from the frequent
attacks the French make upon our Frontiers, so that without the care and precaution aforesaid.
This Their Mat'" Province was in apparent hazard of being delivered up to the Canada Forces
belonging to the French King; whereby their Present Ma"' most loyall Protestant Subjects of
this Province would have been rendred miserable equal to their Fears and this Province become
a Colony of y'= French

And to that height of Insolence was that disaffected Party growne That in a Riotous manner
in the day time they besett and surrounded the said Capt" Liesler our Lieut' Governor in the
street, treating him with ill language & Threats, and had undoubtedly done violence to his
Person, had they not been apprehensive of Danger to themselves from the People, who
immediately gathered together and rescued the Governor out of their Hands, Seizing some of
the Principal Actors, and Ringleaders in that Ryott, and committing them to Prison

And their freinds and confederates sending them provisions to the Prison in superabundant
and extraordinary manner; Designedly to affront and insult the Government thereby, It was
thought fitt to order tliat no provisions should be permitted to be brought them, and they
should only be all allowed Bread and Water; But y' severity was continued towards them only
for two days, and afterwards they had the liberty to have what Provisions they pleased

This Riotous Action of tlie Male-Contents occasioned a further Tumult of ill consequence to
themselves For the Country People upon a Rumour that the Government was in danger, by a
rising of the disaffected Party, Flockt into the City Armed in great Numbers. And
notwithstanding the endeavours of the Majistrates to appease them they took the Liberty (as is
too usual with an enraged Multitude) to prepare Revenge on those which were the occasion of
their coming. Quartering themselves in their houses for two dayes & committing Divers
Insolencys upon them much to the Dissatisfaction of y' Majistrates, till they could perswade
them to return in quiett to their Houses. However it was thought requisite by the Government
for the preventing such Disorders for the Future @ to secure the Publick Peace to detain
several of the Disaffected in Prison for a time, some whereof were since Fined, but all ordered
to be discharged from Prison upon paying their Fines and entering into the Recognizances to be
of good behaviour for the future

The Fort & Citty are therefore now in a good Posture wanting only Ammunition.
The Commissions are all called in from those of the former INIilitia who acted under Coll
Dungan, and S' Edmond Andros, and other Comsons granted in the name of their present
Mat'" to such as are well affected to their Mat'""' Interest

Upon those our actings for the securing their Mat)" Interest in this Province and concerning
the Publique Peace our Enemies have endeavoured all they can to misrepresent us and load us
with Reproach by terming our aforesaid proceedings a Dutcii Ploott because in deed three
quarter Parts of the Inhabitants are descended from the Dutch and speak that language, and
they also threaten our Ruine if ever the Government come into there hand again. Which that
it may not doe, and their Mat^' most Loyal and Dutiful Subjects in this province may reap the
benefitts and blessings of this most happy Revolution, and not be made a prey to most
implacable and Insulting Enemies witiiin us, as well as Malicious & Inveterate Enemyes on our
Borders who are ready to enter and devour us. Humbly submitting ourselves to your Mat'™
most Royal will and Pleasure.

740 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

De]}osition-s respecting the Iliot at Ntio-Yorl:^ &c.

[ Board of Trade; New-York Papers, 11. 876. ]

Deposition of Capt: Swert Olpliertze, Capt: Gerret Duykiuck, Lieut Poulus Turis., Ens°
Abraham Brasher, Ens" Johannes Beeckman, who depose, that this day they did proclaime w""
otiier coniniissiouate officers, at the City Hall of the s"* City, severall orders which were
couchided on the 5"" Instant by a Councill of War, to keep stout watch and proceed in the
fortification of tliis City, where they were resisted by severall persons who said they would
pay no tax and would stope this writeing, which were Jn" Smith, Jeremy Tothill, Robert
Alison and Edward Taylor among others ; answer was made this was no tax, the opposers
being about 50 men in number and did say they would have y' prisoners out of the Fort, and
would laot have it read before that time. Whereupon the Officers, ordered the Clerk to proceed
in proclaiming thereof which was accordingly done, and y^ High Constable commanded the
Petty constable Edw"* Buckmaster to keep tiie King's peace ; but instead of that the s"* Edward
Buckmaster brought a clubb instead of his staff'. The said Edw"" then joined with the
opposers ; whereupon y^ Sheriffe did say, Read on ; then Jeremy Tothill took hold on Ensigne
Brasher to pull him off, but the said Ensigne being strong did resist him. Whereupon Robert
Allison did threaten to strike the said Ensigue witii his cane, then John Smith, lately imployed
at the Custome house said they woidd rise and get the prisoners out themselves. Whereupon
severall threatening & seditious words were uttered by the said disturbers, and when those
opposers had spoken that they would rise, they gave three huzaas and went away.

Lieut Robert Walters and Ens" Issaac de Riemer declare that same, but heard nothing about
the Cunsteible.

Sworn before me this G"' June 1G90

P'' D Lanoy Mayor.

Deposition of Hendrick Jansen Van Brevoost, aged about 60 years. He saw (about the
House of Lucas Kiersted) y' Lieut Gov'' Jacob Leisler encompassed by severall persons, and tliat
Robert Alison had hold of his sword, endeavouring to wrest it from his side and disarme him :
And Jeremiah Tothill having also hold of him. And then he saw y' Jn° Crooke strooke a full
blow with his cooper's adz, intended (as the Deponent perceived) to knock him in the head ;
but the said Lieu' Gov"^ bowing backward with his head, the blow lighted on the s"* Lieut Gov"
brest, and some of the s** prisoners being puU'd off, the said Lieu' Gov'' drew his sword and
made way through y'" All which the Depon' declares to be passed on the G"" Lis' and further
sayth not

Svvorne before me the S"' June 1G90

P' D. Lanoy Mayor.

Deposition of Joiiannes .Toi'dayn aged about i'l years; deposeth that on the G"" Lis' lie being
sent in pursuing of severall ryoters, came at the house of John Crooke, where he entred in
with the rest, and John Cockevier being also in company went upon the loft, where was one
Will: Palmer, having a PistoU in one of his hands, and a naked sword in the other and
presented the pistoll towards the breast of the said John Cockhevier and cut at hiin ; and further
saith not. John Cockhevier also declarers the same.

Sworne S"' June 1690 before

P^ D. Laxoy Mayor.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 741

Deposition of Isaac Van Vlecls. aged about 45. years, who tleposetli that on the 6"" instant,
he the s** deponent met w"" one Tunis de Key, near the house of Symon Janse Romeyn, and
said Tunis de Key said to the Depon' now if you are a man show yourself like a man ; and
further sayth not

Sworne before me ll"" June 1690

Tho. Williams, Councill.

Deposition of Hendrick Borled aged about 29 yeares, and Gerret Lydecker aged about 40
years, who depose y' on the G"" instant they the s"* deponents heard one Tunis de Key near the
house of Symon Janse Romeyn, say to Isaac V'an Vleck, saying Van Vleck now if your are a
man shew yourself like a man ; and then the s** de Key went home & fetcht his amies, being
two pistolls by his side, a sword and a Carbine ou his shoulder, going down to the water side;

and further sayth not.

Sworne 11"" June 1G90 before

Tho: Williams, Councell

Deposition of Barniis Tomasse who deposeth as full : that on y" G"" inst y^ s"* Depon' saw
that the Lieut Gov" was encompassed and in hold of severall persons (about the house of Lucas
Kiersted) crying out, knock him down, and that the Depon' puU'd away from the s"* Lieut
Gov"' Edward Tayler and Dennis Lambert ; and he also saw Jeremy Tothill strike severall blows
at the said Lt Gov"' with his cane, and that as soon as the said L* Gov' got loose he drew his
.sword and made his way through them : and further sayth not.

Sworne before me S"" June 1690.

P' D. La.noy Mayor

Deposition of John Langstraet aged about 61 yeares; deposeth that on y' 6"" ins' y* s**

Deponent being in the house of Joost Stoll, the sone of the said Stoll, called him the Depon'

saying, look here they are about the Lieut GoV Whereupon y= Depon' run out of the house

and John Corsen took hold of him y*" s'' Depon' saying softly, you have nothing to do there,

let them go on. And the Depon' replyed, let me alone for I will not suffer it ; and the s"*

Depon' run in amongst them and found the s"* L' Gov' encompassed and in hold of 19 or 20

persons, Rob' Alinson and Denis Lambert having hold of his sword, endeavoured to wrest it

from his side and disarme him, and severall more hands having hold thereof crying out, kill

him, kill him, and knock him down ; and John Crooke with his coopers adze struck with a full

blow (intended as the Depon' perceived) to knock y said L' Gov' in the head, but the s"* Gov'

bowing his head backwards the blow came on his breast, and that Banis Tomasse came on

with the said Depon' pulling some off, that y^ L' Gov' got his sword out and made way thro'

them, and he saw Jeremy Tothill strike severall blows at the Gov' with his cane ; & further

sayeth not.

Sworne before me S"" June 1690

P' D. Laxoy Mayor

Deposition of Peter de Reimer aged about 47 yeares deposeth upon oath that upon the G""
ins' he saw the L' Gov' Jacob Leisler encompassed by severall persons and saw Dennis
Lambert have hold of the s"' Lieut Gov'» sword by the hilt & Edw" Taylor had it about the
point, and that Robert Alison lifted up his cane (intended as the Dep' thought) to strike y-^ s"*
L' Gov' but was prevented by John Langestraet : and further saith not.

Sworne before me 8"" June 1690

P. D. Lanoy Mayor.

742 NEW-YOEK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Deposition of Jacob van Noorslant aged about '24 years, deposeth upon oath that on the G""
ins' he saw Tunis deKey going by the house of Garret Lydecker having a carbine in one of
his Iiands, and in the other a pistoll and a sword by his side, saying this is the day, to day the
prisoners shall be out of the Fort : and further sayth not

Sworne before me S"" June 1690

P' D. Lanoy, Mayor.

Deposition of Stephen Richard aged about 20 years, who deposeth that on the G"" ins'
several! persons who were before the City Hall and resisting the Militia in proclaiming of their
orders, saying that they would not have any thing read, but would have y*" prisoners out of the
Fort, among W'' were Edw'' Tayler, John Smith, Robert Alison, Jeremy Tothill and severall
others of tliat faction, being in all about 40. who iiaving made two or three huzaas went from
the City Hall towards tlie Fort, and meeting the Lieu' Gov'' between the houses of Lucas
Kiersted and Joost Stoll, and there besett him close; and y' s"" Depon' saw Dennis Lambert
take hold of tlie s'' GoV' sword and pul'd it out ab' iialf a foot before he was prevented by the
s'' L' Gov"' Then y* s* Dep' saw John Crooke having a Coopers adze in his hand and lifting up
his hand with y*' adze, strooke the Lieu' Gov' with a powerful! blow, aiming at his head (as
much as he could perceive) but y^ s^ L' Gov^ bowing his head backwards the blow came upon
his breast. And the s** Depon' also saw Jeremy Tothill strike severall times at y* s** L' Gov"'
with iiis cane : and further tlie Dep' sayth not.

Sworne before me S"' June 1690

P' D. Lanoy Mayor.

Deposition of Catherina Walters aged about 2-5 years, deposeth tiiat on the G"" instant she
saw Jacob Tailer (wiien the third bell of the City Hall rung) and heard him say come out, for
now it is the time, and that Jn° Crooke knocked at the house of Lucas Kiersted and asked the
wife of the said Lucas where her husband was, who replyed that he was already gone : &
further sayth not.

Sworne before me 9"" June 1690

P' D. Lanoy. Mayor.

Deposition of Will : Cload aged about 27 years deposeth y' on y"" fifth instant ah' y* dawning
of tlie day, he opening his doors see two men, (unknown to y^ Depon') removing two empty
pipes as also a ladder, and the Depon' asked them whether they went to steal it, and they
replyed, no, but tomorrow M'as a traitiing day and they went to clear the streets ; & further
sayth not.

Sworne Q"- June 1690

?■■ D. Lanoy. Mayor.

Deposition of Elias Burger aged about 27 yeares deposeth that on the G"- instant he saw
Tunis deKey passing by the house of Garret Lydecker, which Tunis deKey had a pistoll in
iiis hand cockt, and one by his side, and he the Dep' iieard him the s'' Tunis de Key say lie
would have the prisoners out or else the Devill would laugh at the pieces, and further sayth

not.

Sworne before me 9"' June 1G90

P' D. Lanoy Mayor.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 743

Deposition of Catherine Dubois aged about -53 years, declares that about eight days ago,
she was at the house of Elias Boudinott, there being also severall persons in company, the
said Elias Boudinott did then and there boast and relate y' he had aflronted y* L' Gov' Leisler,
by putting his finger in his nose and then pointing at the s-* L' GoV and y' y' s" GoV asked
him why he mocked him, and that he had answered, may I not clean my nose, and is my nose
not my own, and y' he had done the same over again before his face : & further saitli not.

Sworue before me Q'"" June 1690

P' D. Lanoy Mayor.

Deposition of Ensign Abraham Brasher aged about twenty one years deposeth as foUoweth,
that one Jacobus Van Gizell was on the 6"- ins' at the City Hall in company of severall riotous
persons who did there forbid the militia to publish their orders and that the s<' Van Gizell with
the rest did say that he would have the prisoners out of the Fort and did make huzaas with
the s*" rioters and said, come let us fetch our amies to fetch the prisoners out of the Fort, and
he would have them out that day : and further sayth not.

Sworne before me 9"" June 1G90.

Samuell Edsall, Councill.

Deposition of Claes Gerrets aged about 3o years who declares that Edward Buckmaster
instead of appearing with his staff, as Constable, did appear with a stick or clubb in the time
of the tumult on the G"" of June 1G90.

Sworne before me 9"" June 1G90

P. D. Laxoy Mayor.

Deposition of Engletie Evits aged about 35 years deposeth that on the S'" ins* in the
evening her soue John Bresteds told her that he was before the house of Baltus Bayard, and
there heard some people say (that sat upon the steps) that they should have the prisoners out
of the Fort, or else they would fetch them out tomorrow : and further sayth not.

Sworne before me 10"" June 1G90

Sam" Esall, Councill-

Deposition of Curlis Bulsing aged about 40 years, who deposeth that he heard one
Christopher Goff (about the middle of May last being at the second day of the s" Goffs
arrivall here, walking on the bridge of this City) say among severall reflecting words against
the Gov' and Governm" does this country belong to the King, God damne you, this country wdl
be turned in a short time otherwise ; which he repeated several times ; and further sayth not.

Sworne before me 11 June 1G90

Thom. Williams, Councill.

Deposition of Abraham Moll aged about 50 years who deposeth that he heard one
Christopher Goff about the middle of May last (being at the second day of the s" Goffes
arrivall here) walking on the bridge of this city, say, amongst severall reflecting words against
the Governor and Governm' God damn you do you think this place belongs to the King, no, it
will be turned otherwise before long, which he repeated severall times: and further says not.

Sworne before me June 11'" 1G90

Thom: Williams, Councill

744 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Deposition of Abrani Goveineur aged about 19 years who deposeth that on y* G''' instant he
was at the City Hall to read the orders of the Militia, that there they were opposed by severall
persons, among which was Samuell JNIynards who had great talk there, laughing and scorning
at the Militia; and further says not.

Sworne before me June 11"" 1690

The Same declares Isaac Arentsen upon Oath.

Thom : Williams, Councill.

Deposition of Mauris Van Nidwenhingsen aged about nineteen years who deposeth that on
the G"" ins' about the New Bridge, he see Tunis de Key having a pistoU cockt in one of his
hands, and one by his side, and a carbine in his other hand, and one Hendricke Jacobse tooke
the carabine out of the said Tunis his hands, and cockt it and said to Jacob Williamse Serjeant
of the Fort, dont come nearer : and further saith not

Sworne before me 11 June 1G90.

Thomas Williams Council].

Deposition of Jan Peterse Bo. aged about fifty years who deposeth that on the sixth instant
coming by the City Hall, the Deponent heard Edward Taylor, Jeremy Tothill, Sam" Mynard
and Robert Alison, saying, he will have our prisoners out of the Fort, and made two or three
huzaas along with severall others, and so went towards the Bridge : and further says not.

Sworne before me this 11"" June 1690.

Thomas Williams, Councill.

Deposition of Lowrens Hoist aged about 49 years who deposeth that on the G"' instant he
was at the City Hall, and there see Sam" Mynard, Robert Alison, Jeremy Tothill and Edward
Taylor, who said, this was their day to get the prisoners out of the Fort, and made two or three
huzaas and went away. He also declares that when the soldiers came to the house of Nicholas
de Mayer, that William Palmer had a pistol! in one of his hands and a naked sword in his other
hand, and there Dirrick Van den Burg came out of the house of Cornelius Van den Burg came
out towards the house of the said De Meyer, having two naked swords in his hands, and set
himself in opposition against the soldiers : and further says not

Sworne before me this 11"" June 1690.

P' D. Lanoy. Mayor.

Deposition of Joannes Joosten aged about twenty years, deposeth that on the sixth instant
he was before the City Hall to hear the Orders of Militia proclaimed, and y' one Robert
Alison said they would have the prisoners out of the Fort, and beat alarm, and Hendrick
Jacobs said, ay, come let us fetch them out, and Sam" Mynders said you caryed our people,
drawing in the foot, and will ietch them out, and thereupon s** persons with severall others
made two or three huzaas; and i'urther sayth not

Sworne before me this 11"" June 1690

Thomas Williams, Councill

Deposition of Coenratt ten Eyck, aged about 36 years deposeth that the sixth instant
he was before the City Hall to hear the orders of the Militia proclaimed, and that Jeremy
Tothill and Robert Alison did oppose the Militia in proclaiming thereof, w"" severall threatning
words, forbiding them to proclaime, saying they should not do it there, come of it what

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 745

would ; whereupon tlie Deponent expecting by these actions there sliould be an uproar, went
home to get his amies, to prevent the same. Whereupon he heard some huzaas, and came out,
and saw Brant Schuyler, Will: Taylor, Jacob Van Gezell and Sam" ISIynards run away
towards the Bridge, saying they would fetch the prisoners out of the Fort; and that he see
Jeremy Tothill before the Jiouse of Anthony Farmer, having a pistoll in his hand above his
head ; & further sayth not

Sworne before me this ll"" June 1G90.

Thomas Williams, Councill.

Deposition of Ensign Peter de Mill aged about 28 years, deposeth that on the G"" inst: he
the said Ensign being sent bj^ the Governor in pursuing of severall riotous and seditious
persons, he see one William Palmer standing in the house of Nicholas de Mayer within this
City, and that under the door being shut where over he leaned, having a pistoU cockt in one
of his hands and a naked sword in his other hand saying that the people should stand oh', or
he would fire on them : and further sayth not

Sworne before me this 11"' June 1G90

Thomas Williams, Councill

Deposition of Albert Clock aged about 29 years who deposeth that on the G"" instant he see
one William Palmer stand in tlie house of Nicholas de Mayer within tliis City, having a pistol!
in his hand and said stand off & further says not.

Sworne before me this ll"" June 1690.

Thomas Williams, Councell

Deposition of Adrian Man aged about 29 years who deposeth that on the G"' ins' the
Depon' (when the tumult was) saw one Abham and Jesse Kip come out of their house in
amies, and were met by the s** Depon' (who declares that he had heard y' Tunis deKey had
called them) who desired them to forbear and took hold of Abraham Kip, but said Abraham
said, let me alone, I am about to get my brother out of prison, or words to that effect. And
the Depon' further declares that [he saw] Tunis de Key, standing near the house of Joannes
Outman, who offered him the s** Depon' a carabine, but he would not take it: and further says not.

Sworne before me tiiis ll"' June 1690

Thomas Williams, Councill.

Deposition of Will: Elsvvart aged about 20 years deposeth that on the G"' instant he see
Tunis deKey before the house of Antliony Farmer, with a pistoU in his hand, and one
Hendrick Jacobse having a Carabine and rested and presented, standing in opposition against
the soldiers of the Fort : and further says not.

Sworn before me this 11"" June 1690

Thomas Williams, Councell.

Deposition of Abraham Governier aged about 19 years, who deposeth, that some time in
May last, he the said Deponent was in the Lieu' Gov" Chamber in Fort William on a
Wednesday about eleaven a clock in the morning, where also came one M' Cottomear, Cajit of
tiie Foot Company of New Rochill, having a sword or rapier by his side, in company of four or
five more, one of which had also a sword or rapier by his side, (which as the Depon' was
Vol. III. 94

746 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

informed was the Lieu' of tlie said Company) that after severall words between the said Lieu'
Gov"' and the s"" Cottomear, said, that there were orders come to their towne for choosing of
Assessors and Collectors for levying of a certain tax, the which tax the s"* Cottomear said they
would not pay it, saying that it was arbitrary, or words to tliat effect, and s"* Lieu' Gov' replied
that it was so made by act of the Generall Assembly and therefore not abitrary and that it was
to carry on the war ag*' y'' French. The s** Cottomear answered that it was an unnecessary
war with the French, and if the French had made some small outrage or skirmish above
Albany, it was not worth while to make war therefore, at least it did not concerns their
place ; or words to that purpose. The Lieu' Gov'' answered that it did concerne the whole
Province, and that the tax was to be levied The said Cottomear replied that they should pay
none, and that the King had invited the French Protestants in his kingdome, promising them
that their lives sliould be sweet to them ; arrogantly (with his s** Lieu') affirming the King had
promised to maintain them if they should want, by said Declaration, and that here being the
King's Authority, they did demand the same, because they wanted ; using divers terms the
words Le Roy le vent, which they did demand divers times, or such and like terms. At last
they again disputed about the Tax, the Lieu' Gov"' said that he would find a way to get it,
having the executive power. The said Cottomear answered it that they would oppose or resist,
saying that those that should come to fetch it should find it bad enough. After which severall
discoiu-ses were made about the same & like matter by the said Cottomear, which the Depon'
does not remember : and further sayth not,

Sworne before me 23 June 1690.

P"^ D. Lanoy Mayor.

Cornelius Plevius aged about 64 years declares the truth of what is above written, upon
oath sworne before me this 25"" day of June 1690

Robert Walters Alderman.

Deposition of Capt. Gerret Duyckinck, who deposeth y' Tunis de Key did rise against the
Militia and on the sixth inst found him about the house of Jeremy Tuthills (being at a great
distance from his habitation) having a pistoll at his side & one in his hand cockt, and a Carabine
in his other hand and a sword by his side, and severall women about him to stop his actions,
and Peter Mayer deposeth that he see the said Tunis in the same posture about the New Bridge:
and further sayth not.

Sworne before me this 6"" June 1G90

P"^ D. Lanoy Mayor.

Deposition of Abraham Governeur who deposeth that on the 0"" instant he saw John Crook
beat the L' GoV Jacob Leisler on the breast, and when the said Crook pull'' his hand back, the
said Abraliam saw that the s"* Crook had a coopers adze in the same hand wherewith he had
beaten the s"* Lieut Gov"" and the s** Depon' told the said Crooke, I have seen you beat the
Gov% who answered, what would you do, what do you say, threatning to strike the s** Depon'
with the s"* Adz: and further sayth not.

Sworne before me the 6''' June 1690

P"' D. Lanoy. Mayor.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 747

Depositions against Robert Livingston.

Margaret the wife of Akes Cornelisen aged about 45 yeares being sworne, deposeth that she
about the middle of Feby anno IGU was with her husband and Joris Avertsen at the house of
Robert Livingston, and that the Depon' at that time heard the said Livingston say, that the
King saith that the Prince is the head of the rebells, and further she knows not well whether
she heard it of Livingston or of her husband or of Joris Avertsen, yet she heard it of one of
them three say, that Livingston also has said, that divers English subjects were gone out of
England for Holland ; as also, let him but come in England, he shall there find such good
soldiers as he shall bring : and further saith not. Past in Albany this first of Aprill 1690.

Sworne before me
(signed) Jan Janse Bleecker, Justice.

Richard Pretty of the city of Albany, Gent, about 53 years of age, niaketh oath upon the
Holy Evangelists and saith about the beginning of Aprill 1689 Robert Livingston of Albany
aforesaid, told unto this Depon' that there was a parcell of rebells gone out of Holland into
England, and that the Prince of Orange was the head of them, but that he might see how he
got out againe, and should come to the same end as Monmouth did. Signed Richard Pretty
Sworne in Albany the 25 day of March 1690. before us,

J. Bruin. Johannes Provoost,
Johannes Wendell, Justices.

Deposition against James Emott.

Deposition of Thomas Masters, bricklayer, aged about 50 years, declares that he was in East
Jersey at the house of James Emott coming from New York was saluted by his wife and asked
him from whence he came ; whereupon the said Emott replyed, he came from NewYorke, had
been on board the ship the Beaver, and had taken before Father Smith the oath of Allegiance
to be true to the King ; his wife asked what King ; he the said Emott answered King James,
W^*- the Depon' declared was past in March last. And further that Thomas Stevens and Daniell
Whitehead was named amongst others by the said Emott to have taken the like oath at the
same time : and further sayth not

Sworne before me this 27 Feb^. 1689

P' D. Lanoy Mayor.

Anonymous Letter sent hij William NicoUs to Lieutenant Governor Leisler.

Capt. Leisler

It has not been sufficient for you to seize their Ma" fortress, but you have taken upon you in
defiance and contempt of the English crowne and Nation to oppress and imprison their subjects
without the least coulour of law or Justice ; in particular at this time to imprison Phillip French
and Jacobus de Key, and inasmuch as you keep them so close that their friends and servants
cann't come at them, it may reasonably be suspected that you intend to murder them, or
impose some other vilany your frantick brain may urge you to : this is to give you timely notice
that if you do injure either of them so much as the least haire of their heads, much less commit

748 NEW- YORK COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.

any barbarity upon tbem, your Turkisb education may have learned yoii ; By the Almighty
Eternall and most Just God, who continually sees your insipid self-interested and treacherous
actions, that if you either do or suffer the least bodily hurt to be done to either of your aboves"*
Prisoners, there shall not in short space remain any thing upon earth that wears that hated
name of Leisler, but either by poynard, poison, pistoll, or other sure means, shall receive the
reward of their fathers crimes.

If you take this good advice, 3'ou ma)' avoid (at least for a time) that punishment hangs
over the heads of all rebells, traitors, villains, and you may live to find, nee surdum nee Tiresiam
quenquam esse Deorum.

A true copie examined the 24"" June 1690.

Abrah: Gouverneur.

Address of Kew-Yorh J/enJianfs to tlie King and Queen.

[ Xciv-Tork Enlry, 11. 279. ]

To their most Excellent Maj"" William & jNIary King & Queen of England Scotland France
@ Ireland Defenders of y"= Faith

The humble address of your Majesties most Dutiful and Loyall Subjects the
merchants Traders and others the Principal Inhabitants of your IMat^^s
Province of New York in America

JIosT Dread Sovereigxs

We your Ma''" most oppressed and abused subjects in this remote Part of the World out of a
deepe sence of your great Goodnesse and clemency presume ^^^th humble boldnesse to lay
ourselves low at your Royall Feet not doubting to enjoy some beames of that Blessed Sun
Shine w'^'' has made happy our native Country in the Restauration of their liberties and religion,
when yet to our Great Greife we find ourselves sorely oppressed having groaned neare twelve
months under the burthen of Slavery and arbitrary Power executed over us by the inraged fury
of some ill men among us who have assumed your JNIa'^^ Authority over us overturned all
civill power (notwithstanding your Ma'^* Proclamacon for continuing all justices of the Peace
&<^) ruling us by the sword at the sole Will of an Insolent Alien (he being none of your INIa''''
natural borne subject) assisted by some few whom we can give no better name then a Rable,
those who formerly were scarce tiiought fit to bear the meanest offices among us, Severall of
whom can also be proved guilty of enormous crimes, by these your INIa'^^ poor distressed and
almost ruined subjects are dayly opprest, being dragged into Prison into your Maf' Guarrison
here by Armed Soldiers and Irons put on us, without any Warrant or Mittimus, and not only
bare imprisonment but shut up in dark noisome Holes, denyed the accesse of our Friends or
any Releif by the law seizing our estates without any Tryall or Conviction plundering our
Houses by armed Soldiers, pretending it is for your Ma"" Service Stopping all Processe by Law
Seizing and opening all our Letters which we either receave from or send to any Parts fearing
least we might make our case knowne to your sacred Ma"*"', to the manifest ruiu of our Trade

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII.

(49

Scandallizing and abusing our Ministers and Rulers of tlie Reformed Churches here seizing
y^ Revenues thereof so that our liberties are taken away our Religion in great Danger our Estates
ruined sev" of the best and most considerable Inhabitants are forced to retire from their
habitations to avoid their fury to the utter ruin of their Families

Wee therefore your Majestie's most dutiful subjects, knowing your Ma'>^ clemency and
Justice is such as not to suffer the meanest of your Subjects to be opprest humbly implore your
Royall protection and Relief, by sending such person or orders speedily among us, as your
Ma"^* in your Royall Breast shall find most convenient, not doubting but to share in those
Princely favors your Majesties have so bounteously bestowed on all your subjects. And we
shall continually be supjjlicants at the Throne of Heaven that the King of Kings would blesse
your Mat'" with long life, a happy reign over us with continual victory over your enemys And
when too old to live to crown your hoary Heads with Immortall Crowns.

Dated in New York, the 19"' May 1G90.

Jacob Teller
Joseph Hegeman

ouderling van de duyts kerck
Stuffell Probasko. Als underling
JA^■ Hakbexdin'ck
W"" Teller, Junior
LuYCAS Kierstedex
Thomas Clarke
Miles Forster
Rich'' Jones

STEPHEiSr DE LaNCEY

Rip van Dam

Ru'dolphus Varick.

Pastor ecclesiae Belgikae in Insula Longa
J. V. Cortlandt
Samevel Mynxard
Gabriell de Boyteulx

ancien de I'eglise de Refugiez
Thamis de Key
Henry' de Meyer
A d Peyster
John Oort

Peiretz — Ecclesiae Gallicas Pastor
Jacob de Key

ouderling van der Duytse kercke
jV W Stuyversant
W"" Gray"
G. Minivelle
B Bayard
Will Merrett
Phillip French Jn"'
Jeremiah Tothill
Ebenezer Willson
Thomas Wenham
Brandt Schuyler

deacon of the Dutch Church
Charles Lodwick
John Barberie

Elder of the French Church
Elie Boudinot,

ancien de I'eglise de refugiez
W" Morris
Isaac de Foreest

deacon of the Dutch Church.

750 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Lieutenant Governor Leister and others to the Lying.

[ New-Tork Papers, B. II., 464 ]

Fort William in New Yorke the 2Z"^ day of June 1G90.
May it please your Most Excell' Maj'^

Twice have we in all obedience most humbly presented unto Your Majties the state of this
province by the Right Reverend father in God Gilbert Lord Bisliop of Sarum and now have
adventured to prostrate ourselves at Your Ma'''^' Royall feet by Major Jacob Milborne, who we
implore may be admitted to give an a"^""' of our poore endevours to serve Your interest in this
province and may receive such further resolutions and assistances concerning us, as your Royall
wisdome shall seeme good, beseeching Almighty God to blesse guide and preserve your Maj""
with health, long life and Victory and to reigne with the King of Kings for ever, subscribing —

Dread Sire
Your Maj"" most dutiful subjects

(: signed:) Jacob Leisler

Cornelius Pluvier, Robert Walters, Gerrit Duykinck, Pieter Adolf, P'^de la Noy, Sam"
Edsall, Sam" Staats, Gerard Beeckman, Hen : Janse.

Lords of the Council to Governor SIcntghter.

i New-Tork Entry, II. 2S2. ]

After our very hearty commendations, having had under consideration, a Lre from Capt"
Leisler and others in New York, to the Earl of Shrewsbury, dated the 23 day of June last,
together with the Peticon & Memoriall of Capt" Benj Blagg, in behalf of Capt" Leisler and
others calling themselves the Councill of New York, as also the copies of several Depositions
presented by the said Capt" Blagge, setting forth the present state of New York, and Disorders
alleadged to be committed by some of the Inliabitants disaffected to tlieir Ma''" Government,
and Having also considered the address of the Merchants, Traders, and principall Lihabitants
of New York, to their Ma"" complaining of greievous oppressions, and praying their Maj'"*"^
Protection and Relief We have thereupon thought fitt herewith to send you all the said
Papers. And we do hereby charge and Direct you, upon your arrivall in New York, Strictly
and Impartially, to examin and enquire into the severall allegations therein conteined, and to
returne unto us for their Maj''"' informaciou A true and perfect account of the state of that
Province, and of the representacions and complaints aforesaid, to the end we may receive the
signification of his Ma''' Pleasure upon the severall particulars thereof, And soe we bid you
very heartily farewell. From the Council Chamber at Whitehall the l?"* day of Oc' 1090.

Your very loving Friends

Fauconberg Carmarthen P: H: Goodericke

Newport Nottingham W'" Harbourd

To the Governor of New York.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VII. 751

Lieutenant Governor Leisler and Council to the King.

[ Nc\Y-Torli Papers, B. II. 468. ]

Fort William New York,

Ocf 20'" 1690.
May it please Your most Excel!' Maj'^

This is the fourth time, we have in all obedience, mo.st humbly presented unto your Maj"«
our duty in preserving this your province from the intestive rage, and the Foraigne forces of
the ennemies (by the hands of the Right Rev'' Father in God Gilbert Lord Bishop of Sarum)
in such capacity, that by God's blessing we have prevented the first and have no reason to
distrust our security against the other, doubting nothing will faile us more then Powder and
Ammunition, which if not already taken care for us, we most humbly crave may be sent by
the first, the particulars whereof are notified to our agent Capt" Benj" Blagge who we trust is
long since, arrived, Emploring your Maj"" gracious countenance unto in our behalfes to whome
is committed an account of what farther hath passed since our last, encouraging ourselves in
hopes of your Maj''" gracious acceptance of our weake, sincere endevours, with an humble
confidence that there will be your Royall distinction betwixt such who have done their duty,
and others who still labour to procure creatures who will serve other ends and purposes,
praying for your Victory here and a glorious Diadem in heaven. We prostrate ourselves at

your Royall feete and are

Dread Soveraigne

Your Ma"" loyall subjects and obedient sen^ants.
(: signed:) Jacob Leisler

V^ DE LA NoY, Hendrick VAN Jan.sen, Joh : Provoost.
Sam" Staat, Rob' Lecock, G Duyckinck.

J Bruyn, Jacob Mauritz

Limtenant Governor Leisler and Council to tlte L^arl of Shrewsbury.

[Kew-Tork Entry, II. 284.]

20. October 1690
May it please your Loddp

Our last acco' to your Lordpp. was by Capt" Benjamin Blagge who we trust is long ere this
attending His Ma"" Pleasure concerning us intending this should have waited on y'' honor by
Maj' Milborne who was called from hence to Albany where his stay was necessary and the
Kings requirements by reason of New Englands perfidy & disappointments detaines liim from
the designed voyage, praying y-" Lodpp to take the following acct of what hath since pass^ Viz.

That May 1. 1690 was concluded between us and the Gent" commissionated for the Colonies of
Boston, Plymouth & Connecticut that Boston should furnish 160 men, Plym" 60 & Connecticut
135 w-^" were joyned with 400 men of New York Province to march from Albany against the
French at Canada having great advantages cV by the Indian Treaties & the forces sent by sea
at the same time by us viz. Capt" Mason a Ship of 20 Guns Cap' Goderis a Brigandine, and

752 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Capt" Bollen a Sloop all well appointed, who attacked Port Real, foniieriy Plundered, and the
Inhabitants left under an oath of allegiance by Sir W" Phips deputing a French Officer of the
vanquished to command there who revolted ; A certain Ship from France 150 Tuns lately
arrived (w"" some ammunicion and cloathing for the Soldiers) was taken by them wherein was
a letter to the Govern'' of Canada from the French King intimateing that no further assistance
could be afforded them this year s"* Mason Sc" going on shore burnt and destroyed their houses
& demolisht what was of Force taking money Prison" conveying the Booty of Wines, Brandy
and Furrs in 2 Ketches (they likewise took upon the Coast) for New York w'^ were
unfortunately taken by a French Barq. Songo and 2 Sloops erasing near Long Island making
some spoile on Martins Vineyard, Nantucket and Block Island Alarming the Inhabitants,
thereabouts hav^ no Ports of Force. Upon w^'' wee fitted a snialle Sloope 4 Guns 38 men to
discover them whilst wee prepared a Ship of 14 Guns 2 Brigandines and another Sloope with
about 300 to pursue them ; but they having done some mischeif on Fishers Island near New
London (through the feares and imprudence of the People ashore) made their [escape] ere o"'
vessells could reach them since w'''' we are confirmed from Boston & Rhode Island that some
were sent out to engage them, but proved intlectual : The said Mason having brought lately
into this Port 2 Pinkes. 2 Flyboates. The aforesaid French Ship of 150 Tuns, a square
sterned Ship of 200 Tuns and another Fly boate yet expected taken by Capt" Bollen The
lading.is but inconsiderable consisting of Fish and Salt &"= at the Isle Piercee that they burnt
80 fishing Chaloupes, despoyling great Quantitys of fish.

But w"" leave to returne to Albany, after incessant & repeated applicons from both Colonies
of Boston and Connecticutt that wee would accept Major Gen" Wlnthorp (whom they gave an
extraordinary Character of adding that all New England was wrapt up in him and would
much influence and encourage the Foi'ces) to be Command"' in Chief with other motives and
continued importunities : We considered it our duty to comply with them (though another
was appointed) concluding it would highly promote the service But contrary to all
expectation, Boston and Plym" sent not a man with him, who came commissionated from
Connecticut w"" about 50 men besides 30 Indians together with the 2 Comp* before sent made
their Comple"" of 135 Christians, whose entring this Province was on the 21" July at a place
about 20 myles from the Towne of Albaii)^ without one line from either of the Colonies to
whome flocked those called the convention it being Sunday. On Monday we sent two officers
to congratulate him, he seemed to slight them crossing the River with a Comp" of Capt.
Johnsons men, was received with due respect, espying M' Levingston (that hath been the
Chief Instrument of those evills, and principal actor in protesting ag" their Maf' Supremacy
over this Province) was ushered in and guarded by them of whom we gave notice Long Since,
as also his crimes, demanding his Person, but were refused. The Major took his house for
his head Quarters, entertaining 30 Soldiers and officers, placing Centinells who challenged the
Grand Rounds but were soon opposed and scattered calling the Major to account for that
presumpcon he excused w"" many frivolous Storyes, for w'^'' time it was past by, in regard of
the Gen" errand he came on (presss him to dispatch his business & perform the result according
to Commission from Lieu' Gov'' Leisler for that purpose, w'='' he disputed spending six dayes
in unprofitable Debates, thereby gaining time to give an ace' how he -was prevented in his
Designe ; & obtaine orders from Connecticut how he should further proceed, Livingstone
making his escape, they amongst them in the meane time send a bribe to the Indians to Stop
t'iieir March being advani-ed from tlie upper Countryes w"' a considerable number of men, W""
fell out as they expected : The Major by Lingring Steps mait lied to the HoutskiU where all

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 753

the Forces met close by the Lake and the troublesomest set half way to Canada, ready to embark,
when contrary to their Intentions the Major (having orders not to pass) proposed great
difficnlties, distrusted his numbers, of which o" were near 400 & not 80 of his, pleading want
of Canoos, though we have proved to the contrary, but so had lie resolved with his accomplices
that they should not go forward, complaining that his own Soldiers wanted Provisions (which
he had so ordered ) allthough o'' officers preferred him to furnish them, he would not accept of
it Peremptorily forbidding to march more then thirty, who with some addition and Indians
took their way over the Lake, killing and takeing Prisoners 28 French burnt 16 Houses
besides abundance of Hay and Foder slew 150 Head of Cattle, saying if the had but 100
more doubted not the Surrender of Mon Real itself, in w''*' enterprize they came oft" with the
losse of one Man only.

Upon Notice of their return to Albany againe, the Lieu' Governor post"" forthwith to Albany
questioning the said Major (who made no defence) Securing severall of the Chief Actors herein
falling out att such a time when the 5 Nacons sent a great number of Indians to make
Proposals, who desired their liberty, & by theni being esteemed a great obligacon thereupon
were dismissed. The Major on termes that he should returne to New York to make his
Defence which is not yet done, neither is it probable that he ever will: (But my Lord wee
cannott omit to give an account of a more than ordinary Actor herein one Domine Dellius a
Cockaran Minister at Albany aforesaid who ever inveighed against the Prince of Orange and
despighted his Dignities, upon notice of this happy Revolucion preached to his Party (the
Convencion) the legality of the Authority set up by King James, and that all the orders,
Commissions &*= granted by Coll: Dongan (though an Irish Papist) were authentiq: and to
remaine in Force asserting that the present King & was not to superintend them questioning
the legality of his Proceedings, refusing to solemnize a day of thanksgiving for the deliverance,
& another of humiliacon, shutting his door when their Majesties were afterwards proclaimed
supream Lord and Lady of this Province hectoring his consistory making himself Supream
Judge of those things, saying he is Priest, Advocate and soldier, being Principall of Major
Winthorpes Councill, promoting such who protested against Proclaiming their said Ma"" when
their orders came, corresponding with the Jesuits in Canada as appears by a certain letter
written by one of that Society (wh'='' our Agent Capt" Blagge can produce).

Since our said Lieu' Gov" returne having secured that with 200 Soldiers in Garrison (for
maintenance whereof the Assembly hath granted a Tax of S"* P lb to be levied in January &
March next) the said Domine finding his designs thereby frustrated, hath left his people and
shifted into New Jersey, from thence to darke Corners of Long Island proclaiming himself
persecuted for matters of conscience, when no other violence hath beene offered than the
guilt within him associating himself with another like himself Domine Varick' who for his
treasonable crimes is secured to answere it the next Court of Oyer and Terminer. The said
Dellius is fled to Boston in order to go to England having obtained Certificates from their
Party to render things otherwise than in truth they are w"'^ we hope in due time to manifest,
to be necessary service to the King and to the Governm' The circumstances and particulars
are such and so numerous that we dare not press your Lordpp with them, wherefore crave
your favor and countenance to o' Agent aforemenf* who will represent [us] hitherto God be
thanked We conceive o''selves in a good posture to defend o'selves, & may be without peril

' Reverend RuDOLpnus Variok was admitted a free denizen of the Proyince of New-York on tlie 2'jth July, 1086, as appears
by the record in the Secretary's office. — Ed.

Vol. HL 95

754

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

if those of Boston prosecute their designs (as well given out) for Sea by Cubecq. if otherwise
wee must add to our Forces at Albany, dayly beating up for Volunteers, and shall take care
to supplyes of Aniniunicion, tho' wee are reduced to a narrow Stock, considering tlie War, if
his Mai''' hath not allready or doth not spedily supply us having but 7000" Powder in the Fort
Fort for the Service of 37 Guns, and a new Battery below it of 6 Guns, and 2000" Powder
for the Towne being 4G Guns, wishing as many more of IG"- or 24'' Calaber these at present
being too small, all w"'' wee now most earnestly entreat y'' Lodpp to move his INIajesty in our
behalfe and as the case requires

Praying God to blesse their Mat'"' and your Honor craving a charitable opinion of our
Endeavours

We subscribe My Lord
Your Lodp'

P"^ DE LA NoY
Samuel Staats
J Bynring

G DUYCKINCK

: most humble Sev''

Jacob Leisler
Hendrick Van vlierd
Hob' Lecocke
Jacob Mauritz
Joh: Provoost

John Claj^p to the Secretary of State.

[New- York Tapers, li. 11. 470.]

Right Honorable

At a town meeting upon Long Island, where divers of the freeholders of the To\^^ls of
Hamsted, Jamaica, Flushing and Newtown, were mett and assembled, to consult on
the lamentable state and condition, that Theire Maj''''* liege subjects lay under;
by the severe oppressions, and Tyranical usurpations, of Jacob Leisler and his
accomplicies, it was desired, by the freeholders, aforesaid that Capt" John Clapp.
should write an humble letter to Their Maj"" Seer*'' of State in all there behalves
and signifie to there Maj"" in what a sad condition we are in — Nov"' 7"^ 1690.

With all liunil)le submission, I as one of the meanest (in ability:) of there Maj''" loyall
subjects, being solicited by the poore afficted English inhabitants, and residents of the severall
towns about in Queen's Count}' upon long Island in their Maj"" territory and dominion of
New York, do presume at present (though unworthy of such an honor:) to trouble your
Lordship imploring some speedy relief may be afforded, to their Maj"" most dutiful and
Loyall subjects of the towns and County aforesaid, from the usurped power and Tyrannical
proceedings of Jacob Leisler & his accomplicies, whoe led by there exhorbitant wills and
devilish lusts, spares not inflicting all [manner of] cruelties on there Maj'" poore subjects — as I
doubt not but long ere this time there Maj''""' and your Lord"" has in part bin informed of, by
more ample ptuis — but of the most severest unjust and illegalest of all his proceedings, I
presume ncithcir there Maj"'''* nor your Lordp has yett receaved any intimation of it; It soe
lately happening and noe opportunity ofring itself until now for advising thereof, which please
to receave from my unworthy iiands as followeth: — To recount to your Lord'' all the

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VII. 755

particulars of this inliuman creatures actions woold swell into volumns, and as well tyer as
astonish your Lord? to read, therefore I shall only let your LordP know the lamentable and
deplorable state wee there Maj"" liege people are at present in, and shall be as brief and
concise as possible — Know then Rt: Hon"'*^ this bold usurpers Tyranny was such, that hee
gleaneing and collecting to himselfe a rabble of the worst men, headed by 3 or 4. as desolute of
life as desperate of fortunes ; as the most wicked and poorest of the sons of men can bee, the
chiefest of which was Jacob Milbourn, and Sam" Edsall ; the former a man famous for nothing
but Infamy, whom I doubt not but long ere this time your Lord? has received the true caracter
of by better hands, but one thing I cannot omit letting your LordP know, that this very Jacob
Milborn which now does soe Lord it and Tyranize over there Maj"" loyall subjects, was once
convicted of a crime which deserved death, had not great clemency bin shewn him by those
whom chiefly now hee persicutes which was for clipping and defacing the Kings coine, but I
shall not at present trouble Your Lodsh? with any more of that, but to my purpose — These
two foregoing base villains with there collected Rabble in a barbarous and inhuman manner
came over from New York to Long Island, and there did break open plunder and destroy the
houses and estates of there Maj"' subjects in a most rude and barbarous manner not regarding
Age or sex, stripping our wives and daughters of there weareing aparill carrying away with
them all that was portable shooting at and wounding divers poore Englishmen (:some deemd
mortally wounded:) whose rage and fury yett stoppt not heare : but flew so far as to sequester
our estates and expose them to sale, a piece of Tyranny yett unknown to freeborn English
subjects, not convicted of crime meritorious of such a punishment giveing no other reason for
there soe doeiug, but because we woold not take commissions from the pretended Lieu' Gov"'
to bee part executioners of his Tyranical will and exorbitant comands ; and extort an illegal
tax from the subjects, for denying of which there is now 104. persons of us, men of the chiefest
and best estates upon Long Island are driven from our beings and dispossesed of our freeholds ;
the Tyrant haveing seized upon our estates, conuerting them and there produce to his own
use, wee have with patience and a longing expectation waited for the comeing of our Cover'
Coll : Slaughter, but seing the year is soe far spent and no likelyhood of his comeing upon
this coast this winter, wee in a deep sence of our miseries and bad condition doe with all
humility presume to acquaint Your LordP with our present state and on our bended knees
implore their Gracious Maj"" to cast a propitious eye of clemency and grace upon us, and not
suffer there poore subjects totally to be ruined and undone by these monsters of men, whoe
when they have done their utmost to ruine there Maj"" faithful people, wee have just cause to
beleave will inevitably betray there Maj'^City, Fort and province of New York to the French,
hee not being able in the least measure to answer for those many and grievous crims he has
committed which must be laid to his charge, which will force him to shelter under Cataline's

maxim (:The Ills that I have done can not be safe but by attempting greater:) Great Sir,

what can I say any more or to whom can I address myself (: as well in my own behalfe as those
poore souls who have intrusted mee to do it in theirs next and immediately, under our mercifuU
and gracious God:) then to their Maj''" our nursing fathers and nursing Mothers, whoe by Your
LordP' benignity must bee made sensible in what an unhappy condition there poore Subjects
are fallen, which delemna wee begg with all possible humility there Maj*'''= will in there good
time recount and break this heavy yoak of wors than Eagyptian bondage, whome the Lord God
and his Blessed Son Jesus : grant all health and prosperity long to reign over us and establish

756 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

there throne in rightiosness and the same God bless your LordP and power upon you such

a portion of wisdoms that your Councills may be blest and all your undertakeings prosper —

Soe prays

my Lord

Your LordP^ most humble and

most obedient servant

(: signed:) John Clapp.

Governor Slouglder to the Earl of Nottingliam.

[Ncw-Tork Entry, II. 291.]

May it please your Lordship

After sixteen weeks hard Passage from the Isle of Wight, the Arch-Angel came safe to New
York, though she lost fifty foot of her outer keel upon the Rocks of Bermudas which wee brought
upon our Deck hither. At my coming hither I found the other ships in which their Maties
Sold" & Stores were arrived two months before me and by advice of the gentlemen of their
Majesties Council here had secured themselves with all prudence and caution against the
outrages of Capt" Leisler who maintained the Fort against them, and refused my entrance
also, till he and his Councill made Prisoners and the people with him about three hundred laid
down their armes, and were allowed to goe to their houses, and the loyall people of this Citty
& the whole Country are, by his methods of proceeding and dayly threatenings, perswaded
that if the trayn bands of the Citty and Countries near had not come in, he had certainly
maintained his Rebellion to the last. The large Acct of the matter, I have humbly offered to
my Lord President to be laid before the R' Honble the Lords Committee of the Forreign
Plantations, and shall not fail of laying before his Majesty, by your Lodps hands the whole
proceedings with the said Leisler & others, and of the Generall assembly of this Province who
are to convene the Nynth day of Aprill next

I also humbly [present] to your Lodpps in obedience to his Majestys directions in ni}'
Instructions the Persons following to be added members of their Mat'" Council here, in the
Room of Francis Rambolt, Nicholas de Meyer, & John Haynes who were dead before my
arrivall, Thomas Johnson, Peter Schuyler, John Lawrence, Richard Townly, John Young &

who are all persons of approved Loyalty and Integrity, & will I doubt
not shew their readiness in their Majesties Service, the want of a good Settlement in the
Important Colonyes of New England is a great Inconvenience to Us here, there are people
enough in those Colonies, for any Service his Ma'^ shall command against the French, but it is
impossble to do any thing with them while they are in so many parts and Factions amongst
themselves, The next Province of Connecticutt would, if his Ma'^ Judge meet, be properly
annexed here, and the intollerable Taxes and miserable losses by the Warr and confusion
amongst the other Colonies, hath made them all ready for His Maf' Commands in
(Jovcrnment, and tho' tliej' do not regard themselves as they ought, nor their agents

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 757

properly apply, I humbly pray on their behalfe, that your Lodps will not let them be brought

to utter ruine, the loss will be so great to y^ Crown & many good & Loyall p^sons amongst

them, w"^*" deserve well will be sutlerers in Coinon

I am

Your LoP' most faithfull and

most obedient Servant

H Sloughter
New Yorke 27"> March

1691

CTiidleij Brooke to Sir Robert Southwell.

[ New-Tork. Papers, III. B. 14. ]

New York April 5"" 1691.
.Sir,

The Ship Beaver (in which I came hither) with one Compa'' of Foot also y^ John and
James w"" our stores arrived here y'' S-S"" of Janu^ last, the 29"" we came up to this Town, ab'
4 dayes after y' Ship Canterbury arriv'd w"" y'' other foot Compaq but the Archangel Man of
War arrived not w"" our governor till y*" 19"' of March last : wheu the first ships came up to
this Citty Major Richard Ingoldsby sent me to y* fort of this place to request Jacob Leisler
pretended Govern'' to admitt their Ma''" Stores and forces into the Fort. Tlie Stores he was
willing to receive but refused admittance to y^ Soldiers ; seemed very angry at the demand ;
his insolent behaviour soon let us know his dislike of our Company and put us upon our guard
against his design. The tast of power had so infatuated this puny usurper tliat he would not
bear the thoughts of a supersedeas not with common policy conceal his resentment towards us,
the harbengers as he judged of an authority to which he must submit.

We found the best and greatest number of the people lajiguishing under liis oppressions and
now overjoyed at the hopes of a deliverer, the rable y' sett up and supported his Massanello
by his example and encouragem' frequently would express their hatred of us, insomuch y' we
durst not venture to land our men till we had prepared some well affected persons of y' Citty
to stand in our defence in case he should offer any violence ag" us upon landing, this p''formed
on the 0"" of February we brought our men on shore w"" as much caution as if we had made
a descent into an Enemies' Country. We lodged our men in y* Town House and another
House opposite thereto and now reports are industriously spread that we are Papists and
disaffected persons fled from England, his soldiers are encouraged to affront and threaten his
Ma''" Forces, the warning gun for alarms is fired twice or thrice a week to amuse and no
answer is render'd for it but, sic volo. We daily expected Col. Sloughter and for peace sake
suffered patiently all his abuses

When ab' 5 weeks had passed (and no account from our Govern'') Leisler was willing to
believe y' Seas had favoured his wishes and that CoL Sloughter was drown'd, by this his
hopes are revived and now he prepares to act a second part in Tiranny in ord'' to w"'' his rable
are called into the Fort from all parts of this Province & several from New Jersey, unusual

758 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Canon are brought to Lear upon the Town the Block Houses filled with armed men and the
Cannon that faced towards y*^ River are turned inwards towards us. These and the like
proceedings forced us to desire y^ well affected people to appear in our defence and accordingly
a great many did w'"" gave check to his Villany for some time yet he impudently commands his
arm'd moh to stop the King's Soldiers in going y" rounds both at the Fort and the Blockhouses
and one night imprisoned four soldiers and a serjeant and would not release them till ten of y^
clock y"" next morning. Ab' y^ midle of March he and his Council assuring themselves no
Governor should arrive from England resolv'd to force our obedience to his rule or destroy us
and all tliat appeared in our favour and to effect this in a plausible manner (after his usuall
way) he issued out a proclamation on the 10"' of March last containing a great deal of fictitious
matter to delude and strengthen his faction and this he caused to be read that evening, after
which the same night he order'd his men in the Fort at y' Kings rounds as they passed

near the Fort.

This was his first open Act of hostility, the next morning being Tuesday y* 17"" March he
sent a Lre to Major Ingoldsby in w"^ was inclosed one of the proclamations published y'= night
before the substance of w"^"" was that he declared if all as well the King's Forces as those that
appeared in their defence did not imediately disband themselves (as his words are) and return
to their respective places of aboad he would pursue and to destruction bring them all. The
letter that brought this declaracon was directed to IMajor Ingoldsby and b)' the gentlemen
nominated of the Council (of w"'' number I am) the words of the Lre are these.

Gentlemen,

Two hours are allowed for a return to the paper herewith well being expired shall proceed in such
method as shall be thought necessary by Yor humble Servt

Jacob Leisler.

Fort Will: March 17th 1690.

Within the limited time we answer'd this paper in y* most peaceable stile we could contrive,
but in vain, we must all submitt to be his slaves or by him be destroyed, he had not broke y''
seal of our answer when he said, before our Messenger (come w'el go on, w'el go on) and scarce
had one (piarter of an hour passed when he fired a great shott at y* kings Forces as they stood
in their parade and made several shotts at the house where they lodged and kept guard in
hope to batter it down about their ears. These great shott were accompanied with Vollies of
small shott. Neither men women age or sex were spared several of the inhabitants and
soldiers were wounded and two killed this action contiimed till night we open to his shott and
he safe immured w"'in the Fort The Blockliouse v,'^ he had ordered (at the same time that
he did from the Fort) to lire upon us disappointed him severall of his rable there being-
unwilling to engage themselves in so rash an enterprize and being informed we designed to
actack them by land and water surrendered that evening this discouraged those in the Fort
very much, all night they were quiet. The IS"" day they made some few shotts but did no
harm we also desisted with them and were desirous to live in peace would he admitt us, nor
indeed had we been inclined could we hope to storm the fort with our handfull of men but we
stood still in a defensive posture every minute expecting when he would sally or batter y* Town
down, but it pleased God to prevent bis bloody designe in a great measure by y* happy arrivall
of Our Governor on the 19"" who found all his friends with white ty'd about their left arms for
a badge of distinction and their lives in eminent danger. This afternoon Col: Sloughter
demanded the Fort three several times but was refused about eight at night Leisler sent Jacob

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 759

Milboum his Secretary and Peter D'Lanoy (tlie two principal instrimients of misery to tins
Province) to the Governor to capitulate w"^*" two our Governor thought tit to secure and indeed
by that means broke neck of Leislers project for Milbourne was his oracle and D'Lanoy his
great minister of State so that he being really a rash blundering fellow became a perfect drone
his sting gone and unable to do more mischief. Yet he would not deliver up the Fort this
night in the morning he surrendered that, himself and all his accomplices therein. A Comission
of Oyer and Terminer is issued to try these barbarous bloody minded men and those laws they
have so oft violated must now do them Justice.

I am. Sir

Your most obliged Servant

C. Brooke.

April G'" 1691.
Leisler and Milboum having been indicted for High Treason have refused to plead it is
supposed the Governor will keep them lor His Maj'^ disposall of them.

Governor Slouglder to Lord Kottinglmm.

[New- York BunJle; State Paper Office.]

May it please Your Lordship.

According to my duty I am bold humbly to acquaint Yo'' Lo. that in obedience to His Ma'J^
commands the Arch Angell sett saile from the Isle of Wight for Bermudos and New Yorke
with the severall ships in which their Maties soldiers and stores were, under her convoy, on
the first day of December last past ; but the great difficulty as well as delay in finding the Islands
of Bermudoes in the winter season, and the disaster that happened by the Arch Angells upon
the rock of Bermudoes and contrary winds afterwards, retarded my arrival untill the 19"" day
of this instant March, so that the three shipps in which the soldiers and stores were, having
left the man of warr at sea without any direccon or allowance, arrived neere two months
before the Arch Angell. The officers of the two foot Companys upon their arrivall demanded
_ entrance into their Matyes fort of this citty, to dispose themselves in the lodgings proper for
the soldiers, and room for the stores, where they have bin alwayes lodged and kept since first
the Province appertained unto the Crowne of England, but was absolutely and with great
contempt denyed by one Jacob Leisler, who for neer two yeares past hath taken upon him the
name and stile of Lieu' Governour of this Province, without any dirreccon that he hath shewed
from his Matye but a letter directed to Cap' Nicholson late Lieu' Governour here, which he
violently took from the Gentlemen of the Council, of approved integrity and loyalty, who
have alwayes assisted in the government, and to whom the said letter appertained ; upon
which the officers and soldiers were forced to lodge in the Towne Hall of this Citty and to
keep the stores on board for two months past, and suffer many reproaches aad refleccons from
the said Leisler and his complices, who daily insinuated by writeing and discourse to the
people especially of the Dutch nation that they were come from the late King James and forged
their commicons and were enemyes to King William and Queen Mary. Ujjon which Coll :

760 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Dudley Sc the other gentlemcnt of tlieir Matyes Council, except two who were still without any
reason assigned kept in prison lor ahove a yeare past, niett together in the Citty and laboured
by all nieanes to dispose the people to a better understanding and assurance that they were
here in obedience to his Matyes commands and daily expected tiie Governours arrivall, and
should be willing that Leisler should remaine in possession oi' the Fort since so he was resolved,
untill then. But this would not quiet the matter but they perceived every night from all parts
armed men in troops drawn within the Fort, and severall hundred of bushels of flour and
other provisions seized and carryed into the Fort, and daily threatnings in writeing aswell as
by words given against the gentlemen of the Council the ofiicers and soldiers ; which was
greatly to the terrour of the loyall citizens and good subjects of the severall Countyes adjacent.
The Military officers of the Citty and parts neer, mett att severall times and applyed themselves
to tlie Gentlemen of the Council, praying that the near towns might draw in the Train Bands
to cover and secure tlie stores and I'orces from the violence every day threatned, aswell to tiiem
as to the Citty; wiiich (as those in the Fort said) sliould be beat down about their enrs.
And while this was in doing Leisler put out liis proclamation, saying amongst other things that
this was a Province that neither Mnjor Jngoldsby nor them under his comand ovight to tread
upon, and the uight after discharged from the walls upon the rounds of their Matyes guards,
and took three of them prisoners. Whereupon the Gentlemen and Officers upon the only
account of self preservation allowed the Train Bands to take arms, and in a few dayes there
were about five hundred of the Countrey came in to their assistance, against about three
hundred that were now got into the Fort, & behaved themselves with great caution and
obedience to their Officers ; and the Gentlemen of the Council gave Leisler notice under their
hands that they intended nothing but their own and the Cittys security from violence. All
which notwithstanding, upon Tuesday tlie 17"> instant Leisler from the Fort discharged a
great shott at the guards, and was answered from tlie BlockhoTise att the other end of the
Citty that held with him, and immediatly many more great and small shott, some of which
passed through the stone walls of the house where the guards were kept, wounded one of the
King's soldiers and about seven other of the inhabitants, and one was slayn. During which
time the guards nor the Train Bands stirred from their posts, but the Blockhouse soon failed
them, submitted and laid down their arms and went to their houses. And in this posture,
may it please yo'' Lo. was the Countrey when I arived and was visited by the Gentlemen
of the Council on board, and the winds not allowing the King's ship, 1 came instantly to
towne in the pinnace, and at the Towne Hall in the presence of the people, published their
Matyes letters patents for the Government, took the oaths, and administred them to the
gentlemen of the Council except Coll: Bayard and M' Nicolls who were deteined prisoners as
above, and sent immediatly to demand entrance into the Fort, that those said Gentlemen of
the Council should be dismissd, and that Leisler should render himselfe to give an account of
the late troubles ; but was refused three several times and so delayed untill next day ; but the
people that were drawn into the Fort to his assistance by degrees forsaking Leisler and his
Council, the next day the soldiers opened the Fort gate and Leisler and his Cheife officers
were made prisoners, and to quiet and settle all matters 1 iiave thought by advice of the Council
to appoint a Speciall Court of Oyer and Terminer wherein tenn Gentlemen of approved
integrity and loyalty and personally unconcerned in the late troubles are commiconated as
Judges, who are appointed to sitt the next week for the tryall of the prisoners ; who I hope
and doubt not will deale in the matter with all care and justice for quieting of this their
Matyes Province ; and the issue of the tryalls I hope shortly humbly to lay before yo"' Lo.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 761

I am bold also Inimbly to ofler to Yo"" Lo. the very unsteady and sad estate of the neighbour
Provinces of New England, who for want of their Matyes comands in government are left to
very great disorders, and his Matyes loyall subjects amongst them greatly dissatisfyed as not
being willing to submit to any such arbitrary and ungrounded imputacons as are upon them ;
severall of whom have already applyed to me, tho' I have not been here yet a week; tho' not
in such forme as is meet to be offered to Yo'' Lo. yett assuring me that his Matyes commands
in government will have a joyfuU reception, whenever they shall be known, and that they are
very unhappy and heavily taxed beyond all that hath been in times past, by their present
Masters. The neerest Colony of that part to this government is Connecticutt, originally in
the late Duke of Yorkes Patent, and beginns scarcely thirty miles from this Citty, in which if
I might be honoured with their Matyes commands I should not doubt but that the government
thereof might be soon setled, without any further charge to the Crowne. The two Jerseys on
the Southward are in something a better posture, and the proprietors of them in England have
desired Coll. Dudley, the first of their Matyes Council here to inspect and manage their affairs,
who is very capable of their trust, but will do nothing therein without his Matyes direccon ;
which I am humbly of opinion may do well, if Yo' Lo. shall soe judge, untill they may be
annexed unto this Province or otherwise as his Matye shall command.

Their INIatys commands for the government here, are very acceptable to their good subjects,
and by advice of the Council I have given warrants for the meeting of the Assembly upon the
ninth of Aprill next. There is some uneasyness in the matter of the Revenue, which is said
was "ranted in consideracon of certaine priviledges and laws offered to his late Matye, which
were refused and the Revenue only enforced; but I hope the Assembly will shew their
obedience in continuing the Revenue, and again humbly lay before his Majesty their desires of
what may be proper of those laws and concessions formerly offered, of wliicii I shall humbly
give Yo'' Lo. account.

The people of the severall parts are daily comeing in to show their readyness in their Matyes
service and all care is taken that the officers civill and military are of the most loyall persons
in the severall Countyes: The Citty of Albany hath been in a long expectacon of the P'rench
attacking them, and the INIaquas sometimes unsteady and doubtfull, and I intend forthwith to
dispatch one of the foot Companyes thither for the security of that important place, untill I
can come thither my selfe, and shall in a short time send one of their ftFatyes Councill to
Boston to demand the records of this Province, the man of warr sloop, and the gunns brought
from Pemaquid, according to His Majesty es direcc6n, and to see what number of the remaining
inhabitants of the County of Cornwall can be got together to returne to their places there,
that the fishery may goe forward again which is totally lost in that part and will not be againe
very secure without a frigott upon the coast, aswell as some fortification on shoare. The
whole country from Pemaquid to Delaware is extreamly hurt by the late ill managed and
fruitless expedition to Canada, which hath contracted fourty thousand pounds debt and about
a thousand men lost by sickness and shipwrack and no blow struck for want of courage and
conduct in the Officers, as is universally said and beleived ; and I know not how it caun be
better while the countrey is in this disunited and distracted frame, and altogether without his
ISIatyes commands for government, none knowing who is to command nor who to obey. I
humbly pray that Captain Hicks may be directed to abide here to secure the Coast from the
French Privateers, untill he may be relieved ; and the like necessity there is of another frigott
in the Bay of Boston, where the French did what they pleased the last yeare, to the great

Vol. HL 96

762 NEW-YOKK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

discouraa^ement of the trade ; which I doubt hath not been duly represented to Yo'' Lo. by the
present rulers there. I humbly beg pardon for this tedious account to yo'' Lo. and pray that it
may be communicated to the Right Honorable the Lords Committees of Forraign Plantations
and humbly pray to be accounted

Fort William Henry

March the 26"" 1C91. • -

May it please Yo'' Lordship.

The delay of the passage by Virginia allows me time further to acquaint Yo"" Lo. that the
Court of Oyer and Terminer have proceeded to the tryall and condenmacon of Capt. Leisler and
eight others of his accomplices, and copyes of the records of their tryalls is inclosed. I have
thouglit best to reprieve them, unless any insurreccon of the people necessitate their execution,
\intill his Matyes pleasure be known, which I humbly desire Yo"' Lo. favour in. The loyall and
best part of the countrey is very earnest for their execucon, and truly tiieir exorbitance is such
that if some of them doe not suffer, the people here will be greatly hardened in offering at the
government at any time. If his Matye shall please to grant his pardon tor all except Jacob
Leisler and Jacob Milbourne it will be a favour, and all care shall be taken of their estates to
be at his His Matys disposall, tho' some of them are scarce worth anything. I humbly pray
that I may have his Matys comands referring to them.

1 have also enclosed the address of the assembly of this Province, now sitting, which I pray
may be humbly presented to his Matye, and I hope the assembly will in all things doe their
duty for the support of the government and advance of the Revenue and security of the
country against the French and Indians. I am

Your Lordships

Fort William Henry most dutifuU & obedient servant

the G"- of May. 1G91 (signed) H. Sloughter.

To the Right Hon"'

Daniell Earle of Nottingham
Principall Secretary of State

Humbly present.

Governor Sloiigltter to tlie Committee.

[Ncw-Tork Entry, U. 395.]

May it please your Lodpps

In all humble Duty and obedience to your Lodps Command signified by your letter of the
l?"- Ocf 1690 I have examined and inquired into the Allegacions contained in the address from
the Merchants Traders and Principall Inhabitants of New York to tlieir Majesties and do find
them severally true antl that they have been very modest in their Relacon I have sent herewith
A Copy of the memoriall with an answer thereunto annexed I am very well satisfied of the
truth thereof. And have subjoined to both a Relacion concerning Jacob Leisler and of his

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 763

behaviour towards their MaV^ Forces arrived here and must begg leave to add that during my
absence the Major Did behave himselfe w"" much prudence and Discrecion and make it his
whole care to prevent bloodshed and had he not been covered by the Militia this place had been
too hott for hhu. I was joyfully received amongst them I find those men against whom the
Depositions were sent to be the principal and most loyal men of this place whom Leisler and
Milbourne did fear and therefore grievously oppress. Many that followed Leisler are well
enough affected to their Mat'" Government but through ignorance were put upon to do what
they did and I believe if the Cheif Ringleaders be made an example the whole country may be
quieted which otherwise will be hard to do. I am

your Lodpp'
New Yorke . Most faithful

May 7. 1691 & Most Obedient

-- Serv*

Hy Sloughter.

A^iswer to tlie Memorial presented hy Captain Blagge to tlie King.

[ New-Tork B. T. IV. B. A. 23. ]

An answer to the Memoriall

The matter alledged therein seems verry wide of the truth, because Capt. Nicholson and
others then of the Councell appointed by authority of the Crowne in the month of March,
long before any knowledge of the late happy Revolucon, had taken care for the providing
materialls for repairing of the Fort att New Yorke, and the Citty fortifycations were devided
into equall shares according to the number of y"^ Militia Companyes in the Citty, who were
allotted to finish their shears, but it was very remarkable that every Company in the towne
had compleated their sheares of the fortificacons except Cap' Leisler's Company who did not
finish till about 3 or 4 weeks after that hee had seized the Fort to himselfe, and when they,
the s" Leisler and his complices had seized theire Maj"" fortresse and stores, under couUer &
pretence of their Maj"" service, they where applyed to their owne defence, nor can it appeare
by any word or accon of Capt. Nicholson during his abode here that he had any dislike to s"*
Revolucon, or the least dissatisfaction to their present Maj"" persons, governm' or interrest.

For the greater quiet and satisfaction of the people the said Capt. Nicholson admitted
detachments of the Citty Militia and desired y^ assistance of the severall countyes of y«
Province asw^ell for their councell and advice as the common defence to watch and ward in the
Fort, w'^'' gave occasion to Capt. Leisler and others his abettors ( all men of meane birth,
sorded education and desperate fortunes) by inflaming the people with idle and improbable
stories and fals suggestions, whilst Cap' Nicolson and others of the Councell, assisted with y'
Mayor & Aldermen of the Citty and Militia Officers of the Province, all Protestants and
principall freeholders, were at the City Hall consulting for the peace & preservacon of the
country, to expell y' Garrison, force the keys from Cap' Nicholson, and assumed this military
power over their Maj"" subjects of this Province. Which point being so far gained, the lessor

764 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and meaner sort of the people being overawed by the strength of the Fort, where easely
induced to choose such a Committee as tliey were directed, for tlie confirmacon of the accons
of y'' said Leisler and otliers his followers.

The Gentlemen of the former Councell Mayor and Aldermen of the Citty were not made
acquainted with any order or proclamacon for proclaiming their Maj''" in this Province, but on
y" contrary upon rumor of such orders being come to the towne, they sent to Leisler and others
to enquire of the truth, but could have no certaine intelligence from them ; and what aversion
possibly could be discovered in those persons to Theire Maj"" prosperity and accession to the
Throne, their Letters to y' Secretarys of State nppon the first newes of the Revolucon, their
educacon and constancy in the profession of y*^ Protestant Religion & continuall affection to
the English Crowne, nuiy sufficiently evidence, and the jourualis ot their proceedings in those
times apparently declare.

The Mayor and Aldermen wliere not suspended but remained untill the usuall time of
election ; nor did any of y"" persons confin'd, in any manner oppose their Maj"'^ interest or
the Revolucon, but wiiere all of them of tlie Protestant religion, well affected to their Maj""
persons and goverm', and tlie empire of the English crowne in these parts.

The inhabitants off the Province were far from understanding His Maj''" letter to he directed
for Cap' Leisler, or that any powers or autliorities therein contained were given to him. The
letter was not openly commmiicated, but when divers of their Maj"" good Protestant and
faithfull leige subjects, principall freeholders of the Province desired of Capt. Leisler, who had
surreptitiously got tlie same into his owne hands, that they might either have coppy or heare
y* same read, that they might pay all duty & obedience to their Maj"" orders accordingly,
they were not only denyed the same, but dismissed with menaces, contempt and rude language.

No reluctance or resistance in the least was ever showne or offered to their Maj''" governm'
in the Province but it was received with a hearty and unanimous content and generall joy and
gladnesse, and the only opposition that ever was made, was against the manifest irraconal and
intollerable violence and oppression of Jacob Leisler and his faction ; whose religion before
those times was as unaccountable and obscure as their birth and fortunes ; by whose occasion
the mines of Scanechtedae and other depredacons of the French and Indians happened, and
unto wdiom the same wholly is attributed.

Severall of theire Maj"'"' protestant leige subjects being, without any reason, kept strict
prisoners in the Fort to the regrett and amazement of the greatist part of the inhabitants of
the Province, some of the most considerable persons in a modest & peaceable manner, without
any amies whatever, applyed themselves to Capt. Leisler and civily desired the prisoners might
be delivered upon bade, but were disturbed by Leisler's son, who came running uppon them
with a drawne swoord, and divers other armed men. Whereupon sundree of their Maj"^' good
subjects were seized im])risoned and without any course or solemnity or law, fined and kept
in durance during the will & pleasure of the said Leisler and his companions.

Concerning the quartering and insolence of the Contry people in the Citty of New Yorcke,
the truth is verry much abused, for they were all caelled in by Leisler's command and
quaertered by his orders, and the abuses and robberies by them committed were notoriously
and exceeding grievious to their Maj''" good subjects.

The notion of the Dutch plott cannot be applicable to Leisler and his adherents, the much
greater part of Albany w^'' wholly consist of Dutch people, and all the men of best repute
for religion estatte and integrity of the Dutch uacon throughout the whole Province having

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 765

ahvaies been manifestly against Leisler and his society in all theire illegall and irregular
proceedings.

I Find, that Jacob Leiseler a man of desperate fortune, ambitiously did assume unto himselfe
the title of L' Gov"" of this Province of New Yorke, and chose a councel of y* meanest and
most abject common people ; made to himselfe a Broad Seale w"^"" he called y' Seale of y*
Province, with y* usuall armes of Kings of England, and affixed the same to some uulawfull
graunts of land within this Province ; and commissionated under y'^ same Justices of y'^ Peace,
in whose hartes were mischeife. He constituted Courts of Oyer and Terminer and tryed
severall subjects for pretended treason, murther and other crimes. He taxed and levyed
monney upon their Maj'* subjects to their grievous oppression and great impoverishm' When
he wanted more monney for his occasions, he forcebly robbed and spoiled, broke open doors
and locx were he guissed it was to be found, & carryed away to y' valine of some thousands
of pounds in monny or goods; and all this ag" the best Protestant subjects in the Province.
He imprisoned whom he feared, without any other cause than that their integrity to y*
Protestant interest and fidellity to their Maj"" became a terroire to him ; some of them after a
tedious confignm' without collour of law he whipt and branded, and some he kept in duresse
so long as he held y" fort.

Uppon y'^ news of Major Ingoldesby's arrival with their Maj''" forces under his comand, the
s** Leiseler fortified and reunited himself in y^ Fort with such persons (as wel from the
neighbouring Collonyes as in this Province) who were knowne to be of principles contrary to
y'^ interest of y* Crowne. When y'' Major came to New Yorke, he made great preparations as
if he were to hold out a long siege, and night and day was taking [in ] floure beefe porke &c. in
great quantityes. Notwithstanding the Maj'^ & y'' rest of y"^ gentlemen commissionated from
theire Maj"" gave him that satisfaction to show their commissions and told him y' Govern''
Slaughter was uppon his way coming hither, that they were come hither to defend and protect
the country and y' he would lodge his men in y* towne, and suffer him to hold y' Fort till y*
Gov" arrivall ; this did not ansure his ends, his impacience became y* greater, he sent out his
incendiaryes all over the country and neighbouring Collonyes to bring in ayd ; at length fired
uppon y' INIajors rounds and tooke three of them prisoners, and at last declared open warr
against the Maj"' and all that would adhere unto him, and discovered as black and desperate
designes as can be thought uppou, gave orders to y^ blockhouse (a fortification at y^ opposite
comer of y' Citty where he had a strong guarison commanded under him, by one of his L**
Brazier) to suffer no soldiers nor others to appear armed before y*" same, and if otherwise to
fire at them ; said he would do y'' same from y'^ Fort, and at length contrived to sally out
uppon y'' towne and kill all y' should be found in the streets or elswhere in armes, and
accordingly orders and a sign was given to y* Blockhouse. He shott a karman through the
shoulder being in sight of y^ Fort with his kart loaded, and refusing to carry his load thither,
and kill'd the karmans horse ; fired great gunns throw severall houses of the Citty, particularly
throw the house where he understood their Maj"" souldiers and ammunicon was lodged ; kill'd
one Josiah Browne an old souldier, one negroe and wounded a great many subjects in y* streets.
He had 16 or 17 bulletts in y'' fire Red hott, to fire y* towne withall ; and had not y guilty
consciences of his weak followers smote them upon y'= Gov" arrival (if he could have effected
it) he had cut of not only their Maj"" souldiers, but every one y' were assisting them in their
defence. The noyze and shouting y' followed uppon y" Gov" landing ( being come in y' pinnas
by the back side of Nutten Island ) made the hearts of the followers to devide ; he three times

766 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

denyed to surrender the Fort to y^ Gov", but at last a confussion falling upon his followers he
was forced with liis Sec'''' Milborne and others of desperate intentions, to surrender themselves
and become prisoners. Leyseler and Milborne did shew great stubbornes uppon their
arraignment and were mute ; whereupon they were condemned. Many of y^ people of this
Province have bene debauched with strange principels and tenetts concerning governm' and are
not easie to be rooted out. New England has had a great share in this trouble and in poysoning
of this people. Many here of considerable fortunes and knowne integrity to the Crowne of
England, whose lives and fortunes have almost bene shippwrackt, are uneasy, thinking it will
never afterwards be safe for them to live in this Province ; nor can tlieir lives or fortunes ever
be secure, if such men do survive to head an ignorant mobile here, uppon occasion. And if some^
example be not made of such criminalls, to future generations, especially they having committed
bare faced and open rebellion against their Maj"" authority here published and declared and
ins officers and souldiers, sent imediatly from their INIajesties, their governm' can never be
safe in these Collonyes.

(Indorsed) "N. York 1G91.

" AnsvV to Blagge's Mem"
Dup^"

[The above document was originally in two parts, as appears by the drafts in Jfew-Yoric Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVII.,
where the first part is entitled, " An Answe.- to the Memoriall." The second j)art, commencing with the first p.aragraph of
the preceding page, is in Bayard's handwriting, and endorsed, "A Narrative in answer to their Matyes Lre of Leisler <&c."
They seem to have been subsequently attached together, and were laid, in this shape, on the 27th of April, 1691 before the
Council, according to the following entry: "A Memoriall of the Late Occurrences at New Yorke was read and another
Paper Conteining an Answer thereunto from Mr Bayard and Mr Nicolls." New -York Council Minutes, VI., 20. — Ed.]

Colonel Slavghter to iJie Committee.

[ New-Tork Enln-, 11. 206. ]
S' -

Through Infinite Mercy I am arrived in good health at New Yorke we sett sayle the Sg""
November from Cowes in the Isle of Wight with a fair wind, but we are run aground the next
day about Tenn in tiie morning and lay their untill four in the Evening expecting the Ship to
Bulge every moment, but so it pleased God immediately after the firing our Guns from y'=
forecastle to signifie our distresse, and orders given to lighten the Sbippe, her head was seen
loose and we cleared and saylled with a fair wind, wee made the land of Bermudas upon
Friday night of February the wind blowing very hard but towards Evening became Calme
otherwise we had all perished for betwixt Eleven and Twelve in the night we strucke Seaven
times upon the Rockes, but beyond all hopes got cleare, the next day wee came up so neare, as
to give signes for a Pilott wliich came off to us, and the next day got into the harbour but
struck upon the Barr, whereby we lost thirty seven foot of her false keele, which swom in a
few dayes beside the Shipp, we knew not then what to do, to do anytliing for the Shipp it was
impossible in that place iind to Sea I was resolved to go, considering the People of New York
were in great distress and the Kings Stores & People left us ( allthough we were Ignorant how

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 767

y shipp might prove wlieu we came to Sea) Soe that after tliree weeks Stop at Barmudas wee
set forwards for New York, where after six weeks passage we came to an Anchor about six
leagues distance from y« narrows y^ IS"- of March & the next day Coll Dudly and some others
came in a Briganteen on board us, I purposed not to goe to the Town before the Mann of
Warr, but understanding the distress the inhabitants labour under, I went up in the Shipps
rinnace, where I found all in Amies, neere four hundred men came out of the Countrey for to
defend the Citty & their Majesties Stores and Forces against Leisler who had raised neere
three Hundred men and fortified the Fort against them, declaring by Publick Declaration;
tiiem in all Traitours Papists and King James men and that we were sent to betray the
Country to the French & not only denyed theire Majesties Officers the Fort but Comitted open
Hostility upon them by sallying out of the Fort and taking their men prisoners and shooting
their Centinells from their Posts; fireing of Great Shott through y" Houses where their guards
weare kept and upon Tuesday the 17"' March Leisler gave orders to kill any that appeered,
and to encourage his men fired the first great Shoot, after w'^'' their were Two shott dead in
the Streets and seventeen wounded and neere a thousand Shott sent from the Fort that day ;
upon my arrival I immediately caused the Towne Hall Bell to ring according to Custom to
give notice for the people to come there where I caused my Patent to be read Publickly, tooke
the oaths appointed and swore so many of y" Council as were at liberty all else being there,
Save Coll Smith ; I then sent Major Ingoldsby to demand the Fort to bee delivered
immediately and those of the Councill which were detained to be sent to the Board, both
demands hee refused, pretending he knew me not, neither would he own any Governor without
orders under the kings own hand directed to him, yet that night he sent one StoU who had
seen me in England to satisfie him whether I were the Person who was said to be appoynted
Gov' of this Place when he was in England, Stoll came and veiwed, he knew me to be the
Person, I then sent and made a second Demand; but received for answer the Fort was not
delivered upon such easey Termes neither would he deliver; I then resolved to send no more
messao-es but sent to hasten the man of Warr to moore as close as possible and resolved as
soon as that could be done to attacque him, but before any was made Leisler sent his secretary
M"' Millbourne and one De la Noy to capitulate with me but instead of entering into a Treaty
I presently secured the Commissaries w"" a resolution to have proceeded against them began to
desert that night, and sent to desire that Major Englesby might speake with them in the Fort,
according I sent him attended by his companies with orders that Leislers men should ground
their amies and quitt the Fort and to seize Leisler and his Councell and bring them Prisoners
before mee and their Mat'" Councill, the Orders admitted of some Debate before they were
obeyed, but most of the men grounding their Arnies and marching according to my orders the
Major seized his Prisonners and brought them before mee, whom I straightway committed and
upon the 26 March by advice of the Councell I issued a Commission of Oyer & Terminer
for the Tryal of Leisler and his Councell ten were indicted for murther & Treason and six of
them pleaded and were found guilty but Leisler & Millbourne Refused to plead but received
sentence of Death with the other y' Records of the whole Proceedings are sent you with these,
certainely never greater villains lived as by other papers will appear to you Lieut' Wildbore is
dead I have commissioned one Lancaster Simms in his steade, he is one that came from Engl''
with us a good Soldier and dilligent in his business therefore pray he may be allowed I
receaved Command from the Lords of the Committee for Trade to constitute M'' Graham
Recorder of this Citty and Attorney Generall before he came M' Pinhorne one of the Council

768 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

had desired in Council the Place of Recorder w"^"" at the request of the rest then in Council
was granted, and one Newton nominated Attorney not knowing the least of M'' Grahams
pretentious, and the aftiiires calling for a speedy settlement of Officers in order to the quieting
tlie people however if it bee their Lodshipps pleasure they shall be readily obeyed, I called an
assembly who sett downe the ninth of Aprill and hope they will made such speed with
necessary matters that I may go for Albany the next week where I understand affaires are in a
bad posture being in danger to loose the Mohox Nation to the French ; our neighbouring
Colonies of Conecticutt, and East Jersey are in as bad condition as this was every day they
are crying for releif and defence from their oppressors and other dangers they are apprehensive
of, Copies of their addresses come with these. One going to Bermuda was like to be of
pernicious consequences both to us all that were sent from England and the people of tiii.s
Place, S' I am much solicited to execute the condemned but am resolved first to know their
Mat'*' Pleasure if by any other meanes I can keep the people quiet, I have inclosed in the
Box with my Lord Nottingham Lres, Report in the several matters referred by the Right
Honble y*" Lords of the Connnittee of Foreign Plantacons to me vizt JNIr Leislers papers M"
Cortlandts Acct% Mr Grahams challeng of Debt upon the Collectors Office. The hasty passage
of the Post to Virginia will not allow us to transcribe the Accts of Assembly who are yet
sitting to the Revenue passing w"^"" shall humbly offer by the next conveyance and doubt not
but the Revenue will in a very short time supply the charge of the Government, I have written
to my Lord President aggreable to the address to pray that the next Provinces of Connecticut
and the Jerseys may be added to this Government for the better defence and support of each
other And humbly pray your assistance therein w""" I shall greatfully acknowledge ; I am

Sir
New York Yo"' most humble Serv'

May 7"" 1G91 H Sloughter

Governor SJouglder to the Diike of Bolton.

[New- York Papers, B. III. 16.]

May it please Your Grace

The particulars of the condition I found this and some of the neighbour colonies in, I have
humbly laid before Yo"" Grace by M"' Blathwaite and shall not dare to give more trouble then
in all humilitie to make tender to you of my obedience and faithfuU servize and to implore
your protection for myself and poweriull assistance for the support and settlement of this
place of New Yorke and adjacent Collonies whose distractions are such that nothing but mine
can bee expected if not timely prevented by settling Goverment amongst them

Major Englesby and myself humbly begg Yo"' Graces Favor that Lancelott Simms may be
confirmed Lieftennant instead of Lieftennant Wildboar who dyed at sea ; Simms came over
with the Major, bee is a soldier and qualified in every respect ; att present affaires here have
a bad aspect both in relation to our enemies y^ French and our differences att home occasioned

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 769

by y* miscarriages and insolencies of Leisler's Covenu', but trust in God to bring all into a
posture of defence against y'' common Eniniie and of peace at home to accomplish both which
nothing shall be wanting in Yo^ Grace's

most faithfull
New Yorke & most obedient Servant

May y^ 7"" 1691. H. Sloughter.

To His Grace

John Duke of Bolton.

Governor Brachtreet to Lord Nottingliam.

[New England, V. 536.]

Right Honorable.

May it please Yo' Lordps.

We had the honour of receiving His Maj"^' commands of the 30"" April 1G90. forwarded
about eight dayes since by the Hon"'''' Henry Sloughter Esq"' Govern'' in Cheife of Their Maj''"
Province of New Yorke, for delivering unto the s** Governo^ Sloughter or to such as should be
appointed by him to receive the same, the Records of that Province, the great gunns belonging
to Pemaquid Fort that were brought to Boston, and one of the sloops built at the publick
charge while the Colonys of New Yorke and New England were united. In observance
whereof we have caused the Records to be delivered and given order according to his desire
that the great guns be in a readynesse to be disposed of as he shall advise. As to the sloop
we are humbly bold to ofter that His Majesty has been misinformed, for we are not advised
that there was any sloop built at the publick charge while the Colonys of New England and
New Yorke were united, neither is there more than one here, and that built some considerable
time before New York was annexed to these Colonys, and is the same which transported S'
Edmund Andros thither when he went to take in that Province ; the other sloop we understand
was set up by order of S"' Edmund Andros in the Province of Maine and brought to Boston but
a little time before his removal, and not fitted up, the builder having her in his owne custody,
and was, as he declared, unpaid for her ; which M"' Usher the Treasurer likewise informed. A
private person who had disburst considerably for the riggin and other materialls belonging to
her, for the securing his owne disbursements, purchased her of the builder, paid him, and had
his bill of sale for her, and afterwards sold her to the present government, who dispatcht her for
England the last year with expresses to his Majesty, and she is not yet returned.

This our Agents will be able fully to set forth, so that should that which remains be disposed
to another Province it would greatly prejudice Their Maj"" service in these parts at this present
juncture : However shall submit to and rest in His Maj"" further pleasure therein, when he is
truely informed in this matter.

We make further bold to inform yo'' Lord? of the present state of this Their Maj"" Colony
with reference unto the warr, and the hand of God that has gone forth against us in epidemical
contagious sicknesses for more than the space of one year past, which has greatly distressed us,

Vol. hi. 97

770 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

tho' thro' mercy in good measure now stayed ; and we are informed that the French of Canada
are likewise distressed, having had no supplys arrived to them, and are in expectation of an
attack to be made upon tliem by the English ; the Indian enemy in the beginning of the winter
last past made some overtures for peace, insinuateing that the French (who have proselyted
most of them to their religion) greatly instigated them to prosecute the warr, and they had
suffered great losse and were desirous of peace. They were discourst by some gentlemen sent
from hence, who agreed with them to a Cessation of Amies, until the first of this month, and
appointed then to have another meeting with their Sachems, and they have ever since forborne
any acts of Hostility. Our Comissioners have been lately with them at Wells, the place agreed
upon for the meeting ; but some of theire Cheife Sachems not appearing, and those that came,
not bringing in all the captives according to former engagement, they promised to performe it
in the space of twenty dayes next, and within that time to offer some proposalls to the
Consideration of Their Majesties government of this Colony, and of New Yorke and to forbear
all acts of hostility untill they shall hear from them ; of which we have advised Governour
Sloughter and shall consult him in that matter. We are making preparations for our defence
against the attacks of the French, by repairing and strengthning the fortifycations and garrisons
in the sea ports, and shall use our utmost endeavours, by God's blessing, to repell them,
should they make any attempt, having been seasonably supply ed with arms and stores of
amunition by our ships that arrived from England in the winter. No late intelligence has
arrived here from England whereby we might be given to understand what his Maj"" pleasure
may be for setling the government of this Their Maj''*' Colony. We humbly beg Yo"" LordP"
favourable aspect upon our Agents in their solliciting of that matter and to assist their speedy
dismission so soon as His Maj''' shall be graciously pleased to give orders and direction in that
matter. Praying for Heaven's blessing upon Their Majesties, heartily wishing Yo"' Lordw'
prosperity are bold to subscribe ourselves

K' Hono'^''^

Their Majesties loyall & dutifuU
subjects and Yo'' Lord''P' very
Boston in New England humble Servants

May 8"" 1691. — Sm: Bradstreet Gov""

in the name of the Councill.
To the Right Hon"« the Earl

of Nottingham, Their Ma""

Principal Secretary of State.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 771

Propositions of the Christian Molmiohs to Governor SlougUer.

[Board of Trade Papers, New York, III.]

Tropositions made by the praying Indians of tlie three Tribes or races of the
Maquass, to His Exellency Coll : Henry Slaughter Capt" Gen" and Gov"' in
Cheife of the Province of New-Yorke and the Honourable Councill, and to
the Mayor and Aldermen of the Citty of Albany in the Citty Hall the 26">
day of May 1691.

Present — His Excell"'^ the Governour Direcli Wessels Recorder

Coll: Joseph Dudley Jan Becker,

Coll: Thomas Willet, Evert Banker,

Coll : Stephen Van Courtland Claes Ripse,

Capt" William Pinhorne Jan Bleeker,

Will"" Nicholls Gerrit Ryerse,

Major Peter Schuyler Mayor Eghbert Teuuise. Aldermen

Brother Corlaer,

We INIaquase of the three races or Tribes of our Country being praying Indians, are come
to see you and are glad to see a Gov' come i'rom our great King of England ; we are sencible
of the great hazard and danger you have undergone to come to us, and if any of your Men
dyed upon the voyage by the cold season of the yeare and badd weather, wee desire that the
tears for their death may bee wiped ofl", and that you may not be troubled or grieved at it but
look upon us with a good and clear eye, meaning a good heart. Give three fatliom of wampum.

Brother Corlaer, Wee are extreamly rejoyced to see your Excel^y and the Gentlemen of th«
Council safe arrived here and to see the Mayor and Aldermen conviend with you in this house,
wee are not commissionate by the Sachims of our Nation to treat of publick aflairs but being
praying Indians and your children, think ourselves obliged to congratulate your safe arrival in
a speciall manner, and bid your Excell'y heartily welcome, do give a Beaver and an Otter.

Father Corlaer, Wee are extreamly obliged to your Excell'=J' and do returne you our hearty
thanks for restoreing to us our Minister Dom*' Godeuridus Dellius, we were verry sorry that
he was forced to leave us in tlie late troubles, wee hope that your Excell"' will for the future
take an especial! care, that we may he instructed in the Christian Religion, for the weake and
faint setting forward of that greate worke hitherto among us, has occasioned our Brethren to be
drawn out of our Country to the French by their Preists. Doe give a Beaver and an Otter.

Father Coriaer, We do againe congratulate your Excell'^'' safe arrival, and are gladd to see
you and the Mayor and Aldermen convened together; our earnest request and desires is, that
you will take great care we may be instructed in the Christian Religion ; we are fully resolved
to settle ourselves at Tionondoroge> (a place 56 miles above Albany) and pray that we may
have ministers to instruct us as well as the French send Preists to instruct their Indians ;
yea they are so zealous in their way that they send their Preists to teach the Indians quite to
Dionondade wh'^'' is 300 Leagues above Canada. Doe give two Beavers.

Father Coriaer, The Great God of Heaven has opened our eyes, that we discerne the
difference betwixt Christianity and Paganism, and by the means of the authority here, we have

' Now known as Fort Hiinter, Montgomery county. See New-York Documentary History, 8vo.. III., 902.— Ed.

772 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

partaken of that benefitt to be instructed in the' Religion of the Great King of England that is
the Protestant Religion, wherein we are instructed already. Doe give two Beavers.

Father Corlaer, We would make your Excell'^y a considerable present, that we are able, we
are soldiers and do present you with that wherewith we adorne ourselves, when we go out to
warr (that is a Pouch made of Porkepine quills) and desire that your Excell'''' will be pleased
to accept of that ornament as come from your Children.

a true Copy examined p''

Rob' Livingstone.

An.nver of Governor Shiigliter to the ChriMian 3£ohmvhs.

[ Board of Trade Tapers, New-York, HI. ]

His Excellency's answer to the propositions made by the Maquase praying
Indians. Albany the 26"" day of May An° 1691.

Present — His ExcelK'' the Gov"' M'' W"" Nicholls

Coll : Dudley P. Schuyler Mayor

Coll: Willett D. Wessells Recorder.

Coll : Cortlandt Jan Becker &

Capt" Pinhome Evert Banker Aldermen.

Children. I am heartily glad to see and receive so many of the praying Indians who
acknowledge themselves Children of the Govern' of the Great King of England, I shall
always account them as such, & treat them accordingly.

I was very well pleased that Dom^ Dellius, your Minister was still at Boston not j'et removed
out of the Country whome I sent for and came to me at New Yorke, and was willing to
returne for your sakes. I hope I have already [so well] provided for him here, that will
encourage his attendance upon, and puting forward of that good worke in his hand, but above
all incouragni" I recommend your obedience and observance of his Ministry as the greatest

I am contented at your settlement at the place called Tionondorage as you propose, and as
you are at present instructed here at Albany, so in time, I doubt not but such care shall be had
that you may be supplyed with Instruction at your own habitations.

I am very well pleased tiiat the understanding in Religion is so farr advanced that you cannot
only distinguish between the Christian Religion and Paganizm but also between the Reformed
Religion and that of the Romans ; I hope your Minister will take care further to instruct you
in the Religion of our great protestant King whome I shall acquaint with this your present
application; as for 3'our apologize for your small present was needless, 'tis your good heart that
only acceptable to me. Was given them : 1. Dozen stockings, G. shirts, 3 Baggs Powder, IG
Barrs lead, 30 gul : strung wampum, 3. Runletts Runim. [3 rolls of Tobacco] and privately to
the Clieife men some Coats of Duiiells.

a True copy Examined by H.' Livingstone.

' " trufc Cliristiaii Iloligion, ami we Desyri; ami Tray Uic Continuation uf it, tliat wo may be Instructed in the " — follows
here in the copy of this document in New -York Colonial ManiLScripts, XXX VII. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 773

Governor Shughter's Address to the Five Nations.

[ Board of Trade Tapers, New-Tork, III. ]

Propositions made by His Excell'^ Coll: Henry Slaughter Capt" Gen' and GoV^
in Clieife of the Province of New York and the honourable Council in the
presence of the Mayor and Aldermen of tlie City of Albany and the Justices
of the said County to the Maquass, Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges and
Sinnekes, in the Citty Hall of Albany the first day of June, in the third
yeare of theire Maj''" Reigne Annoq Domini 1691.

Present — His Excellency the Governour Evert Banker

Coll: Jos. Dudley, Jan Bleeker,

Coll. Stcph : van Cortlandt, Claes Ripse,

Coll : Tho' Willett, Eghbert Teunisse, &

Capt" W-" Pinhorne Gerrit Reirse, Aldermen.

W™ Nicholls. Capt" Kelean van Renslaer,

P' Schuyler Mayor Capt" Marte Geritse,

D. Wessells Recorder, Capt" Gerrit Teunise,

John Beeker Dii'ck Teunise,
Capt" Sander Glenn.

Brethren. I am glad to see you in this house which is and hath been always appointed the
place to speak with you in matters of import and aught to be kept clean for that purpose; I
sent for you to acquaint you, that I am appoin'" by our great King and Queen of England to
be their GoV in this Prov- of New Yorke and of all their Territorys depending; I did intend
to have been here long before now, but being employed by our great King in the warrs against
tlie French did hinder my comeing, and as soon as tlieir iMajesties understood the disorders in
these parts, I was forthwith dispatched, although in the winter season to settle this Govern'

' "Itt my arrival att New Yorke, I found matters in great confusion, occassioned by some ill
people who assumed to themselves the Govern' of this Prov« without any authority from their
Majesties, but have taken such fitting care by executing two of the principal heads of said
disorders, that matters are now quiet and composed, both at Yorke and this place.

I am very glad that the late troubles have not further affected the union between us and
you, which we attribute much to your fidelity and duty as good subjects to the Crowne of
Endand & to the good conduct and prudence of the Loyall Gents of Albany.
' The Brethren may remember tliat they were stricktly charged by the former Governours of
this Place, not to treat with the common Enemy, without particular orders from tliis Govern'
which now again I must in an especiall manner recommend unto you to observe the more
because their Jesuits are too subtile for you and always endeavour to deceive you as they
have lately done, some of our Indians which they have drawne over to their owne Rehgion &

Country. , ,

I must acquaint the Brethren, that it was very unpleasant news to me, winch was told me
at Schenectady two dayes ago, by the poor distressed Inhabitants of that Village, how that
some of the Brethren have burnt and destroyed several of their deserted houses and Barns,

774

NEW-YOEK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

and have killed their horses, Cattle, Hoggs and Poultry in the woods, left by the Enemy,
which is an uncharitable act and ought to be enquired into and for the future prevented and
remedied.

As for the News of the French and their Indians comeing this way, we are too well advised of,
& know their present distress, to expect any such thing from them, and if it were so, we shall
in all points be ready to defend ourselves and support 3'ou.

Was given them by His Excellency.

5. p" Duffels, 1 p" Strouds, 1000 gild white strung wampum, 400"^ powder, 500 pounds lead,
579. pounds tobacco, 120 shirts, 30 Runlets Rum, 15 Gunns, 10 dozen stockings, Bread &
Beer.

A true copy examined p"'

R' Livingstone.

Answer of the Five Nations to Governor Sloucjlder''s Address.

[ Board of Trade Papers, New- York, lU. ]

Answer of the Oneydes, Onnondages, Cayouges and Sinnekes Sachims to the
proposal of His Excell'^'' Coll Henry Slaughter Capt" Gen" and Gov' in
Cheife of the province of New Yorke in the Citty Hall of Albany the 2"'' day
of June in the third yeare of their Majesties Reigne Annoq Domini 1691.

Names of the Sachims.

The Oneyde Sachems — Oheda

Caneadwario

Tegginderasse

Rennaewarre

Adono

Dokarrwagge

Cayouge Sachims —

Sinnekes Sachems -

Dagaeyse
Cajeherai
Canajanawe
Tarondagethen

Onnondage Sachems — Sinnonquiresse
Carachkiudie
Canadgegai
Soskenachie
Waddajeiude
Tohatsoon
Rottsaganna
Rorverogo
Tonastora
Tanochjanichtha
Darechragergare

Sadegarees, Annaddion, Toannodano,

Anondarecrha, Awetharink, Ochenendade,

Catshathondatlia, Canworha, Aontgesachton.

Rodigero, Carioiijahdadhe,

Brother Corlaer, You acquainted us yesterday that you were sent hither by their Majesties
of England to governe this Province, and we Four Nations, Oneyde, Onnondages, Cayouges
and Sinnekes, are glad you are safe arrived here, and that we see a Gov"' agaiue and bid you
heartily welcome. Doe Give four Otters.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 775

We have been informed by our Forefathers tliat in former times a Ship arrived here in this
Country which was matter of great admiration to us, especially our desire was to know what
was within her Belly. In that Ship were Christians, amongst the rest one Jaques with whom
we made a Covenant of friendship, which covenant hatii since been tied together with a chaine
and always ever since kept inviolable by the Brethren and us, in which Covenant it was
agreed that whoever should hurt or prejudice, the one should be guilty of injuring all, all of
us being comprehended in one common league. Doe give four pieces of Beaver.

Brother Corlaer, This is the place appointed for the treating of matters of import, but we
must acquaint you that there has been many troubles of late by the late usurpation, yea,
things were so strangely carryed on that we had ahuost been turned upside downe, but are
glad all things are now settled and composed by your Excell"^^ and that this Place is restored
to its former priviledge. Doe give five Beavers.

Brother Corlaer, Harken to us, you have made a covenant with us, wherein they of Boston
and Virginia are included, which covenant is bound firme with a chaine, but sometimes it
seemes as if )'ou would loosen the bonds of Friendship, for when there is the greatest danger,
the Men that ought to assist and protect us, go downe to New Yorke. Doe give iive pieces of
Beaver.

We have a Tree of peace and tranquility in this place, which Tree hath shaked and quaked
much of late, we establish that Tree firme, and stronge that in the future it may not be in
that wavering condition but immoveable. Doe give 5 p' Beavers.

Wee have now establislied the Tree of Peace and welfare in tliis place, now we make the
Root to the said Tree that it may flourish and that the root may extend itself as farr as the
Sinnekes Country. Doe give 3 p' Beavers. 6. Martins & 1. Otter.

Addressing their discourse to the Loyall Gents of Albany, nameing the Mayor. P"' Schuyler,
the Recorder, Direck Wessells, and the Seer: Rob' Livingstone, desired that according to their
former diligence, they would not be wanting for the future in their duty for the Publick
wellfare, and by no meanes to depart or be absent from this place but remain here. Doe give
them six Beavers.

Brother Corlaer, We desire that the number of the Bencii may be compleat and that Jn°
Wendall, Jn° Bleeker & Rob' Sanders may be members of the same for they are Maquasse.
Doe give 5 p* Beaver.

Your Excell''^ is the great Gov' of this Country, you command the Ciiristians and us, so we
beg that your Excell'^y would cause the Trader to enlarge the Baggs of Powder, that amunition
and other commodities may be had at a reasonable price. Doe give 5 p' of Beaver.

We do againe recommend it to your Excell'^y that the powder may be cheaper, and the
powder Baggs enlarged, we made our application last yeare to the Mayor about this matter,
but he told us it could not be helped then, the ships were not come, but now your Excell : hath
brought shipp powder and amunition with you, and yett the powder baggs are small. You tell
us we should anoy the Enemy the French, but with what if amunition be so dear, and Beaver
scarce amongst us ; therefore pray Corlaer speake that this matter may be rectified and also that
we may have a fathom of Dufllets for a Beaver. Did give six Beavers and two Otters.

Desire that the Strouds may be sold cheaper and also if our Squaaes happen to come
out of the Country for Rumm for our Capt°' and Souldiers without money pray that they may
be supplied with it to comfort their hearts and to encourage them in this present war. Doe
give 5 Beavers.

We did formerly desire, that we might have a Smith at Onnondage, whereupon a young Man

776 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

that was a Smith by Trade, was sent us and we gave liim 20 Beavers for his encouragement to
stay, but is gone away ; again we request that we may have a Smith there to mend our
Arms, it being sometimes dangerous to come downe for every trifle iiither, & we desire also that
the Smiths here may in the meantime worke as cheap as they did formerly. Doe give 5 p' of
Beavers.

You have enjoy[n]ed us to be obedient and dutiful, we have never been wanting in our parts,
we have shewed our readiness, when our Brethren of Schennectady were destroyed, by
immediately girding ourselves and pursuing of the Enemy, and we four Nations have possetively
concluded to prosecute tlie warr with all vigour as you order us, as long as we live and never
speake of peace without the common consent, for we are all one heart one head one scalp
which never is to be separate, we four Nations have no hand in any treaty or Correspondence
with the French or tlieir Indians but abhorr the same, and we desire that our Brethren the
Christians keep no correspondence with them by letters or otherwise. Doe give 5 Beavers.

We are glad to hear that your Excell'^'' had already fitted out 3 vessells to anoy the French to
the Eastward, proceed, goe on, send out the other two and more if possible to cruise on the
mouth of Canada River to second those already sent, that the French may be destroyed and
brought under, tiie sooner ; and as you encouragecj us yesterday to prosecute the warr we say
the same to you today; lett it be minded above all tilings it being the main business. Doe
give 5 Beavers.

We thank you kindly for your great present made to us yesterday especially for the powder
and lead and the Amunition given us. doe give 5 p' Beaver.

You order us to prosecute the war with all vigour, we will doe it with all might imaginable,
and keep them in a continual alarm at Canida, for we designe to leave off" the warr with
Dowanganhaes,' till a better opportunity, that we may the better mind this and therefore pray,
that your Excell'^ may lay aside all businesse and only minde that greate worke of destroying
the French our common Enemy. Doe give 5 Beavers

You recommended to us to be careful! and watchful and not to suffer ourselves to be deceived
& betrayed by the subtile French, pray, take it not amiss if we put your Excell'^ in minde of
the same and desire you to send out scouts and be vigilent upon this River quite towards
Canada, and not suffer your men to stay within the walls of the Towne with their pikes and
spears but go out upon discoveries and to anoy the Common Enemy. Doe give four Otters.

Brother Corlaer, pray barken well to what we now shall say to you, we are but in a poor
weak condition in this Country, and no ways able to subdue the French without help from
England therefore we earnestly entreat you to write to your great master the great King of
England to send great shipps with great gunns to take Canada, w"^"" with the help of God will
then be easily effected, and then we and all his subjects in these parts can live peaceably, for
without his assistance we cannot expect to conquer them. Doe give a Fisher & 5 Beavers.

We have now requested you to write to your great Master the King of England for releife and
we doubt not in the least, but you will do it, and that he will send the same, you promised us
yesterday to support us if the Enemy should fall upon us, we do promise you all the service
lyes in our power if the Enemy at any time should come and anoy you. Doe give 5 p'
Beaver.

We have heard that some Indians did come from Dowaganliaes to the Sopus or New Yorke
last yeare, but never heard what their business was, now whats become of them doe desire

' See note S, ante p. 434. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 777

that we may be acquainted with that affair. We cannot oniitt to acquaint your Excell'^'', how
that we admire your Excell'^ doth not in the least mention of any assistance that we may
expect from New England, Virginia and Marj^laud and these places adjacent since your
Excell"''' has said nothing relating to them in your proposals yesterday. Doe give 5 p'
Beavers.

Lastly we recommend to your Excel!''' and the Gents of Albany Hilliken the Interpreter
who doth good service for the publick and is our mouth and ears, take her as the daughter,
and provide for her that she may not want since she is so serviceable both, to us and to you
and we recommend her to mind her business well and to interprett a riglit as well on your
Excell"^' side as on ours. Doe give her 4 p' Beavers.

A true Copy examined p"' K" Livingstone

Propomtwns of Mohawhs and other Indians to Governor Slougliter and Ms Ansiver.

[Board of Trade Papers, New-York, III.]

Propositions made by the Maquasse Sachems to his Excell'^y Coll Henry
Sloughter Capt° Gen' and Gov"" in Cheife of New Yorke and its dependency
in America in the Citty Hall of Albany the d"* day of June in the Third
yeare of their Majesties Reigne An" 1691.

The Sachems of the other 4 nations were present.

Brother Corlaer, We acquaint your Excell'^ that we are come to informe you of the news,
what happened to our Indians by the praying Maquasse at Canada and did repeat the
proposals made formerly before the Jlayor, which we understand was sent downe to New
Yorke to your Excell'^''.

That the Gov' of Canada proposed to our Indians when they were there, and told them he
was glad to see them there in his Country, it was even as if the sun shined upon him when he
see his Children there and gave them one belt of Wampum for all the 5 Nations and thanked
Laurence the Maquasse and his Company for sparing of his Children the praying Indians, ' I
do propose with this Belt of Wampum to Corlaer your Gov' you Maquasse and all the rest of
the Five Nations, that I am willing that a peace should be agreed upon between you and my
praying Indians, wherein I account myself included, they being ray children and send me
word by a Squae if you dare not venter to send Agents that I may know what your Gov' and
the Indians of the Five Nations says to this Proposal. We must acquaint you with the
conference Odgidadge one of our Indians had with the Gov' of Canada when last there, who
said: I come here upon my perril and make the place clean where I lett^ of all blood for we
are your children. The Gov' of Canada replyed that they did well to come and sett downe
there, they were welcome and he was sorry for the hurt that was done them in former times,
but it was not done by them^ but by an old man, meaning the former Gov' but now he had a

■ "of Canada and since you are Inclined to mate Peace 'with my Children the Praying Indians "-follow here in the copy
in Secretary's office, in New -York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVII. — Ed.
' " where I sitt." Ibid ' " by him " Ibid.

Vol. III. 98

778 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

good designe and would treat them like friends ; the said Odgidadege did further say to the
Gov of Canada the harme that was done [was] by you and your fault, and cannot be ascribed
to us.

The Canada Praying Indians said that diverse of their people being taken by the Sinnekes
were pursued, and the pursuers overtook a Mohawk Ind" called Odgidadge, whome they
discoursed and desired him to use all endeavours to gett them delivered and sett at
liberty.

We deliver you a prisoner viz' Joseph Marks which we brought from Canada who was taken
at Schenectady by the French and their Indians and shall endeavour to bring more by all
occasions.

Desire advice of his Excell'^'' what they shall do in this matter since they have declared [all]
what the Gov'' of Canada said unto them, pray take a good resolution and informe us what we
should do. Do give three fathom Zewant.

Do desire also the advice of the whole house which is the Five Nations westward then
present by their Sachems.

The Gov"' of Canada desired and extreamly urged for an answer to what he said to our
Indians.

The praying Indians of Canada desire also that the Sinnekes may restore their prisoners latel)-
taken to the Maquasse Coinitry among their Brethren, but if they were disposed of already,
tliey would rest satisfied so that the business of the peace were effected.

A true copy examined p"' R' Livingstone

His Excell'^'' the Governor's answer to the Maquasse, Oneydes, Onnondages,
Cayouges and Sinnekes and Skachkook Indians, at Albany the 4"" day of
June 1691.

I am very glad to find you all so hearty & so steady in keeping the Old Covenant, which
never has nor shall be violate on our sides and to demonstrate the Zeal, I have for the support
of this Covenant, and to destroy our common Enemy as I have told you iu my proposals to the
Five Nations concerning the French & praying Indians so I still continue to admire how that
the Brethren the Mohawks did admitt of any Treaty with them, they being as much Enemies
to the Brethren as the French, therefore can not admit of the proposals but must check the
Brethren for offering to hearken to auy thing they should offer, especially when the favours
formerly extended to them in releasing their prisoners, the very same persons so released
immediately returned and Burnt our houses and destroyed our people, therefore cannot think
of any other overture but must prosecute the warr with all speed and violence, till they be
rooted out of the world, therefore, desire to know what number of Men you can spare to joyne
with a party of Christians, I intend to dispatch within 14. days.

Concerning New England, Virginia & Maryland whereof you mention I sent to tliem at my
first comeing but have no answer, and this morning I sent one of the Council to New England
and on my returne to New York shall send to Virginia and Maryland.

Concerning the Dovaganhaes some of them came to Sopus and were desirious that a Free
Trade might be between xis and were willing to make peace with the Brethren, they dyed
there of the small pox at Sopus.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 779

Post Meridian. The Maquasse people' for themselves and say.

Brother Corlaer. We have understood that his Majesty did receive informations of tJie
confusions we were in here, occasioned by a person assuming to himselfe the title and Command
of Corlaer, the King could not imagine, how that he came by tiiat name since he never sent
him, therefor. His Maj'^ did forthwith dispatch your Excell'^y to settle affairs in this province,
and when you arrived you found business in a very confused and disorderly manner, all which
you have pacified and quashed by the executingtwo of the principal heads whereby all matters
are composed, we returne your ExcelF^ our hearty thanks for your prudent Managem" of this
affair which is cause of great satisfaction to all the Five Nations. Did give a Belt of
Wampum.

We are thankful for your Excelh'-'* kind promise of assistance upon occasion, and also for
your recommendation in keeping the Enemy in alarme, why not left us joyntly keep them in
alarme. We are rejoyced to hear that your Excell: has sent away three shipps to the Eastward
to anoy the French, proceed and continue in the prosecution of that great vvorke. Doe give
a Belt of Wampum.

We were glad to see your Excell'^^ safe arrived here to the Gent" of Albany and as soon as
you have visited the Magistrates here, you took hoarse and rode to Schenectady, where you
see the mines to that Towne occasioned by the French, and there the poor people made there
complaints to you Excell''^ of the killing their Cattle and Hoggs; we must confesse the thing
was done, but could not be avoided for we were ready to pursue the Enemy when they
had done the mischeife at Schennectady & comeing home, were almost starved, and therefor for
mere necessity we were compelled to do what we did; you expect satisfaction for the same,
but pray consider how business is now circumstanced that it cannot conveniently be done, for
if you should draw us from prosecuting the warr to go to hunt to make satisfaction for that
injury, it would be of badd consequence, doe give a Belt of Wampum.

Brother Corlear, We have often told you that you should fortifye yourselfe well, but you always
tell us, the French were a Christian Enemy and they would warn you, but you see how they
have warned you by Schennectady, therefore pray you make Citty as stronge as the Forte, and
when our Indians doe goe out a fighting, then pray send seaven or eight Men in our Castle to
make a noise (which is the manner of their watching a nights) that so our women and children
may be secure and not taken Captive, whilst we are abroad. Do give three fathom Zewant.

Brother Corlaer, keep good watch and have an eye of regard towards the River & towards
Canada and if you be so fortunate as to see your Enemy before he sees you, then take a horse
and send us word of it, that we may come downe speedily to serve you. do give a Belt of
Wampum.

We have not much to give or say but return our hearty thanks for the good you do us, as
we have always been in the Covenant chaine, but of late New England, Virginia, Maryland
and adjacent CoUonys did not put in their amies into the chain; pray animate them to
make us strong, and assist us according to Covenant made between us and altho' an angry
Dog should come and endeavour to bitt the chaine in peices with his teeth, yet we will
keep it firme both in peace and warr and do renue the Old Covenant, that so that tree of
wellfare, may flourish and that his Roots may spread thro' all the Country. Do give a Belt of
Zew'

' " The Maquasse ;^ropose for themselves." New-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVII. — En.

780 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Oheda Sacliem of Oneyde, rose up and spoke to the Maquasse in behalfe of the Four Nations
tlie 4"' June 1091.

Brethren the Maquasse, In answer to what you propose of the Gov"^ of Canada and his
pra3'ing Indians, we must put you in mind of his fallacy and deceit and tell you amongst other
Examples of their Treachery, how tliat they came to the Sinnekes Country to treat of peace,
and in same time came and destroyed Schenectady, therefore we declare the Belt of Wampum
given by the French to be venomous and detestable and did spew it out, and renounce it and
will not accept of the Belt, but prosecute the warr as long as we live ; and left the Belt upon
the ground in the Court house yard.

Proposealls made by the Five Nations Westward viz' Maquasse, Oneydes,
Onnondages, Cayouges and Sinnekes, to his Excell Coll : Henry Sloughter
Capt" Gen' and Gov'' in Cheife of the Province of New Yorke, in the presence
of tlie Mayor and Aldermen in the Citty Hall of Albany the 5"* day of June
in the third yeare of their Maj"" Reigne 1G91.

Brother Corlacr, Your proposition yesterday of going out against the Enemy is very
acceptable only we judge the time to be very short, especially since we are to keep a General
meeting at Onnondage, where we desire your Excell^^ to send Agents to be present to help to
Consult, nevertheless if your ExcelK^ will be pleased to acquaint us how many of the Christians
do goe, we will endavour to get a suitable party ready to attend their motion and joyne with
them against the common Enemy.

His Excellency's reply.

Brethren, The season of the year requires action more then Council, therefore we must
immediately prosecute our designe and I would freely communicate the particulars thereof to
you but am afraid of meeting with the same inconveniencies now, as happened last yeare.
The number of Men which I desire of the Five Nations, shall not exceed 200 Men.

His Excell'^J' ordered the Sachims to consult together about it, who mett with his Excell'^^
and after a conference, told, they could not assigne a certain number, but would go home with
all speed, and see to raise as many of their men as they could aud send them downe for this
expedition, and would also Utt out a Company to go downe Cadaracqui River to anoy the
Enemy that way.

a True copy, examined by

R' Livingstone.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 781

Rohert Livingston, to Governor Sloughter.

[ New-York Papers, 111. D. 19. ]

Albany 22'" June 1691.

May it please Yo"' Excellency

These are to accompany the enclosed examinacons of some Indians lately come from Canida
and some Ires from thence which we intercepted in the possession of the Indian that came last,
who had engaged to deliver them as directed but was p^vented. Yo' Excellency will perceive
by the letter to the Jesuite in Oneyde that the French still expect an answer of Lawrence his
treaty with .them in the Spring, for which they are very impatient and seem hugely to be
concerned that they gott noe answer. We have exaied Symon Groot who was given to one of
the Indians by the praying Indians, but he can say nothing as to the ships being come from
France, having heard nothing of it. Confirms the news of the Cannoes makeing and their
(lesigne ag^' the Sinnekaes, as was divulged by the French. Says that provisions were very
dear; the force of JMont Reall not 300 men, and about 50 men inhabitants and all, at Peanie,'
where our people have their designe ; the praying Indian Castle is very strong stockadoed, but
have no more then 20 men in garrison of the French. Yesterday an Indian came from Canida,
went thither with Lawrence in the Spring and has brought 3 French praying Indians Squaes,
one being his Sister ; Says the 200 Cannoes are made, and the farr Nations of the Ottawawaes
and Dionondadoes to be arrived at Cadaracqui ; that it is hard to get from Canida divers of the
praying Indians being inclined to come hither, but strict guards kept by the French to prevent
their departure. When this Indian and Squaes were gone, were followed by an Indian and
warned not to goe towards the Senuekaes, & desired him to tell the Maquaes not to goe thither,
since the French designed to distroy them and waite only for the Maquaes answer, which they
promised in tlie Spring. The 3 Squaes were lately at Mont Reall and see 4 barkes come from
Quebecq full of goods that were come over with the 7 shipps from France, and see the good

unloaden.

The Mayor has sent away part of his Company to day, and follows hiraselfe witii the rest
tomorrow, is about 122 men, a list whereof when they are gone shall send down to Yo'
Excellency. I have distributed to each, twelve pound of bacon fifteen pound of choise pickt
pork, the heads and bony pieces laid aside five & twenty pounds of Biskett and pease ;
The Mohaggs not yet come down. I designe to send provisions to Schennectady for them to
p'vent their sotting and drinking here, that they may march from thence directly. This is
what happened since Yo' Excellency's departure ; soe wishing Yo' Excellency all happiness &

p'sperity I remaine ,, , , ,

' ^ •' Yo' Excell : most humble

& most obedient Serv'

Rob' Livingston.

a true Copy

M. Clarkson Secry.

' Prarie. New-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVII. — Ed.

782 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Mcamiriation-s of two Moliawh Ijidian-s.

[New-York Tapers, III. D. IS.]

The Examination of a Maquaes Indian called Taonnochrio who arrived this day
from Canida with two other Maquaes Indians, 1 squae and a boy, in Albany
the 20"' of June 1G91.

Pre.sent — Tiie Mayor and Recorder

Says that he has been 12 days by the way from Canida and brought along with him the
eldest son of Symon Groot who was taken by the French at Schennectady.

This Indian has been in Canida since the Spring, went there with Captaine John Schuyler
and Lawrence the Maquaes, has now sufficiently sounded the French and finds them deceitfull
and false and designed to doe all the mischeife they can & therefore thought it convenient to
leave them.

The French are making 200 burch caniioes at Mont Reall and he seeing all these p''pararc6ns
asked his Aunt who is a dweller at Cachanuage and a Praying Indian Squae, what the matter
was the French made soe many Cannoes, tell me plainly and do not hide it from me, for I will
not stay here & suffer my people to be cut off. The Squae replyed 'tis true there is a designe
to goe out a fighting against Onnondage and 30 praying Indians were ready to goe out the next
day to annoy the Onnondages.

3 days before he came away the news came to Mont Reall that 7 ships from France were
arrived at Quebec, one half was loaden with provisions, the rest had men on board; he forgott
tlie number it was some thousand, that was reported to be come. After the news had been
there two days all hands were imployed to make burch cannoes, which made him the more
inquisitive about the designe, and discovering some of their wise men, they told him that the
designe was for Onnondage and wished him nor none of the Maquaes to goe there, for it would
be a heavy stroke. We have warned you sufficiently and we warn you again not to come neer
Onondage.

There are tenne of our Indians which he left with the French praying Indians at Cachanuage
but they said they would all follow and come home, for he acquainted them with his going.

The Govern"' of Canida Mons"' Frontineak was at Quebecq.

A true copy examined p''

R' Livingston.

Examination of Tahonsiwago a Maquase come from Canida yesterday. Albany
21"' day of June 1G91.

Doth say that 13 dayes agoe a party of the Sinnikaes Cayouges and Onondnges made an
attacq on a fort below Mont Reall and designed to take the French unawares; but the Indians
lost 5 men, and killed the Ensigne of the Fort.

Item, that 10 Cannoes of French Indians called Rondaxe in all 50 men arrived at Mont
Reall ; whereupon the Govern' of Montreall told the praying Indians " Now Children take
" Courage, let us march up to the Senneques &"= and destroy them from castle to castle ; we
" have a thousand men of the farr Nations now at Cadaracqui, let us make 200 cannoes and

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 783

" go up to them witli a tliousiind men more, and fall upon them viz' first on the Senuekaes and
" then on the Cayouges, Onnondages, and Oneydes and passe hy the Maquaes and soe come
" down and fall on the Christians at Albany." The praying Indians asked him what he
designed to doe with New Yorke and Boston. The Governour of Mont Reall replyed ; " as
" for New Yorke we will send shipps to take them by sea, but for Bo.ston we regard them noe
" more than a little barking dogg that dare not bite."

Doth say further that the Gent^ brother Mons"' L' Moon that commanded the party at
Schennectady who was sent last fall to France after the defeat of the Boston fleet, was arrived
at Quebecq with 15. saile of shipps, which shipps by the way had taken IS sayle of English
fishermen and brought them up Quebecq ; the said fifteen ships had brought souldiers powder
lead and store of other goods.

This what he now hath related here, he was forbid by them of Canida to tell, and says
further that the French has taken 2 Indian boys belonging to the family [of] Tariha, who is
master of the Jesuite Milett prisoner at Oneyde, and the French desire that the said Tariha may
acquaint them how and what way they shall lay their designe and that they will exchange the
said two boys for the Jesuite Milett, and desire an answer of this matter by this Tariha, or that
he would come himselfe to Canida to them

A true Copy examined p''

Ro. Livingston
A true Copy
(signed) M. Clarkson Secry.

Robert Livingston to Governor Slovghter.

[New-York, B. T., IV. D. 21.]

Albany the S^ July 1691.
May it please Yo' Excell:

The enclosed was designed to be with Yo' Excell. before this tyme, onely stayed till the
Maquaes came down, that Yo"' Excell. might have an account of their number, but they not
appearing M"^ Wessells resolved to goe to their Castles last Munday, and found the 2 first
Castles ready, but the 3<* Castle in such a consternation about the death of Tahaiodoris their
cheife Sachim, that they had quite forgott their engagement to Yo' Excellency and had noe
thoughts of marching up ; but have now concluded to send 74 men with the Mayor. They of
the first & 2" Castles will be at Schennectady, to day, and the S"" Castle will speedily follow.
They expected when M"' Wessells came there, a considerable present, to vdpe of their teares
for their dead Sachim and told they had stayd soe long for the Christians last year, they could
stay some time for them now. I wish to God we had such a force that we needed not to
court such heathens, for any assistance, for they are a broken reed to depend upon ; but for the
present there is noe help for it, they must be tenderly handled.

It is a deplorable thing that our people will expose themselves without any cause. Last
Munday 2 men went over the river att Canastagione to make hay upon Claes de Brabanders
land, the most dangerous place in all the Province : some French Indians surprizes them, kills

784 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the one and takes off his skull, and what is become of the other we know not, whether he be
shott in the river or caryed away prisoner. The other people that were a mowing of hay
upon Claes de Brabanders island that now belongs to John Child heard 3 gunns goe oft', went
to the river side see noe body but the cannoe that they went over in cutt and sunk in the
water. We sent a party of horse thither who found one of the men lying in the water at the
shoare side, who was buryed here in towne yesterday. Warning was immediatly sent to the
farmers below to be upon their guarde. This is the worst time of the year, the harvest just
at hajid ; if anoy"' such thing sliould happen the come would be left upon the ground and all
farmers fly into Towne ; The people of the Halfe Moon dare not stay without they have a
garrison there. I tell them Your Excell. will send up men assoon as you come to New
Yorke; for the people here are very timerous since there are soe few men in the towne for
Burgers, and all cannot make a luindred. People are extream afraid to goe into the woods at
present.

I remaine in all luimility,

Your Excell. most obed' Serv'

Rob' Livingston.

Inclosed is the list of the Comp" of volunteers gone to Canada. 122.

Just now Lieu' Abr: Schuyler comes from the Mayor; says all is ready, cannoes making &
nothing but the Indians that they stay for, all y* men well and cheery.

A true Copy
(signed) M. Clarkson Secry.

Governor SImighter to the Governor's of the severed Provinces.

[Sew-Tork Papers, III. D. 23. ]

Fort Will: Henry 11 July 1691.
Sir

I returned to this place from Albany on the 27"" past, where I left all things in a very good
posture and with much difficulty has secured our Indians. I found that place in great disorder,
our plantations and Schenectady almost ruined and destroyed by the enemys dureing the time
of the late confusions here. I have guarrisoned Schenectady and the Halfe Moon with some
of the hundred fusileers raised by our Assembly for the defence of the frontier at Albany ; the
remainder with one of the King's companys are posted at Albany.

By the Indians propositions herewith sent you, you will perceive their sentiments and what
apprehensions they have concerning your government and the rest of the adjacent collonys,
and how farr they think you obliged (being in the same chaine of Covenant with them) to aid
and assist us against the French our common enemy. Pursuant thereunto I have advised with
the Councill who joyne with me and think it absolutely needful ^ that you assist us with one

' " for the security of this and all the other of tlieir Majestyes Colonycs that there be garrisoned att Albany alt least 500
men this winter whereof they conceive it needful! " — follows here in the copy of this circular in New-York Colonial
Manmcripts, XXXVII. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 785

hundred and fifty as your proportion, according to order of Councill or resolve this day,
now sent you. I need not relate unto you of how great import the preservacon of this place
is, being the only bulwark and safe guard of all Their Majestys plantacons on the main of
America, and if, for want of strength, the French should assault and gain Albany how farr
your Government and all the Enghsh Colonys on both sides of us would be endangered, you
can easily judge. For we have nothing but that place that keeps our Indians steady to us,
and the loss of that must be the loss of them, and the loss of them must be the loss of all the
King's intrest on this Continent.

1 have also upon the receipt of the inclosed letter from Justice Glenn and for the preventing the
enemys descent upon us, raised one hundred Christians more, who with three hundred Maquase
and River Indians under the command oi' Major Schuyler did march to Canada the 22"* past, to
watch the enemys motions, and to improve all opportunitys that presents for the surprizing and
destroying them. The Sennekes have agreed to goe down Cadaraq River with a considerable
force and assault them at the same time ; which I doubt not but will have that effect and keep
them in such alarme that they may change their resolves of invadeing us, or at least divert
them so long untill we be in a fitt posture of defence. I have applyed to our neighbours in
New England for their assistance but can have none, so cannot rely upon them, tho they were
forward enough to help the late usurper, by which it may be easily conceived how farr they
are affected to their Matyes interest, and how much this place is endangered if we have not a
present and suitable supply from you and other of our neighbours westward. The Councill
doth likewise joyne with me and think fitt that you commissionate some persons to concert
with me and other Commissioners from Virginia Maryland, Pennsilvania and the Jerseys, of
proper means & methods for the secureing this and their IMajesty's other plantacons on this
main, and the suppressing the enemy ; and also agree to a certain fund to be levyed amongst
us all in proporcon, for the raising and paying of men dureing this warr, that if possible the
memory of the French might be rooted out of America ; all which by a hearty union amongst
our selves and due deliberation may be easily effected. I doubt not but you are very sensible
of the many branches that have been lopped off from this government in the late reignes and
that it is now confined to a great narrowness, haveing only Hudson's River and Long Island
for the Bounds, and notwithstanding of the great harrass waste and ruine that has attended
them in the late usurpacon, yett in their Assembly they have given signal 1 demonstracon of
great loyallty and true affections to their Ma"", having established a revenue as formerly and
raised d;2000 for the pay of 100 fuzileers and the paying and fitting out the late expedition
will cost ,£2000 more ; so that the charge of this poor Province will exceed £10.000 p-' annum
which farr exceeds their ability, and will also fall short of what is needfuU to preserve it, and
how farr you are concerned in its preservacon need not be repeated. So that I hope I shall
have your effectual answer, which will be great service to the Crowne, & the only security to
us all.

Since the premisses I have received fresh intelligence confirming the arriveall of r^cruites
in Canada, as is fully related in the duplicates of the letters and examinacons sent you; so
that there is now no time for delay, but do expect that you will forthwith send us your quota
of 150 men compleately armed and provided for the reinforcem' of Albany, which is in eminent
danger, the French spyes having killed two men that were mowemg of hay at Quenestiago
within 7 miles of Albany. I have sent this messenger express to urge your dispatch of this
matter, our circumstances not admitting delayes ; and if any failure on your parts must ly at
Vol. III. 99

786 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRirXS.

your doore, and tlie King fully acquainted with it. I shall as opportunitys present, acquaint
you from time to time with what occurs, and do expect that you will put your whole
government into such a posture that may be ready to march against the French our common
enemy if any invasion should happen.

H. Sloughter:
A true Copy

M. Clarkson.

(Indorsed)

" A Cop}' of the letter sent from New
" Yorke by Coll Sloughter to Virginia
" Maryland, Pennsilvania, West Jersey
" Connecticut, Rhode Island & Boston."

Governor and Council of Connecticut to Governor SJouijlder.

[New-Tork Papers, HI. D. 21.]

Hartford July 14"> 1G91.
Excellent Sir

Your Ires of the 10"' of July instant are before us and we are very glad to understand that
you have taken care to put all things in good order at Albany for the defence of His Ma'""^*
subjects in this great time of danger wherein we are in daily expectacon of being alarmed by
the French in our sea port towns, especially at New London and Stonington. Also we have
considered yo"' order of Council bearing date July the 7"» wherein Yo"" Excellency and Council
upon the news of recruites arrived att Canida and reports of their intendments against
Albany and of one killed and another missing, you doe demand of us one hundred and lifty
men with all expedicon to be sent for Albany for the defence of that post, and in yo'
Excellency's letter you tell us that you expect that we forthwith send you our Quota of one
hundred & fifty men compleatly armed and provided for the reinforcement of Albany, and
that we put ourselves in such a posture that we may be ready to march against the French
the common enemy if any invasion should happen. We have always been ready to grant our
assistance for the defence of His Maties subjects ; we have expended a great estate thereon
formerly both at Albany and Dearfeild & Northfeild for these three last years one year after
another ; and if the case soe required we should be ready upon any invasion to grant what
assistance our abilities will aflbrd for the defence of their Maties good subjects in the severall
Colonyes; but we doe not see it our way upon every report of an enemy to be at such a
charge and expence as that will be which yo"' Excellency hath moved for. Besides there hath
been such a frequent passage from Canida to these townes up this river, that they lye open to
eminent danger, and they being so neer to us that we cannot but must assist them upon any
assault of an enemy that shall be made upon them. Also our neighbours at the Eastward and
the Massachusetts have lost (as we hear) twelve men of late by the enemy ; all which makes
our way difficult and our charges being soe great we are not willing, without necessity urges,
to be at soe great a charge as this will be to us. Besides we are not capable of supplying our

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. TglJ-

soldiers with ammunition or provisions to march out of our Colony; what we have being
scarcely enough for our own defence. Wee doubt not but yo"" own Colony has a sufficiency of
men upon Long Island and other parts that may be spared to garrison at Albany ; Whereas
you speake of great charges you are at ; we alsoe could tell you of ours, but that will not
make them lesse. You have a great trade that inables men to bear their charge, but we have
little or nothing of that, but what we raise is out of the earth by hand labour, which is also
much shortned by blasts and other afflictive accidents, which makes our burthens the greater
and we lesse able to bear them. We also might inform you that we have had lopt off this
Colony several branches, on the East and West, which hath somewhat disenabled us by the
losse of their assistance. As to our concerting with W Excellency and other commissioners
to consult of proper means for the securing of their Mat'" interest in these Provinces and the
suppressing of the enemy &'^ it is a matter worthy of good consideration, and being as is said,
of common concerue necessary to be concerted in a councill of the whole. But you mention
no time nor place for this meeting; but wee shall acquaint our Generall Assembly with yo''
desires therein (who of necessity must be called before we can raise any money) for the
management of these great affairs ; except a suddaine invasion necessitate us to appoase an
enemy invading some part of our own Colony or some of our neighbours and in such case we
must venture our all to maintain their Ma"" interest and defend ourselves and neighbours.

Sir, this is that at p''sent we judge necessary to acquaint you with and we hope we shall be
carefull to approve ourselves yo'' good neighbours willing and ready to attend what duty is
incumbent upon us and not give you any just occasion to acquaint their Ma''""' with any failures
in not attending duty we owe to their Ma"" or any of our good neighbours; desireing we may
not be imposed upon, Sir, we shall alwayes be ready to impart what intelligence we shall
receive from any part or parts, and doe gratefully entertain the p''mise of the favour from
yo"' selfe ; and We are

Excellent Sir

Yo"" affectionate friends

and liumble Servants

The Govern'^ and Council of their

Ma"" Colony of Connecticutt
p'' their Order

John Allyn Secref
A true Copy

M. Clarkson Secry

788 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Maryland Committee to Governor Sloughter.

[New-Tork Papers, III. D. 25.]

By the Committee in Maryland July 29'" 1691.

INfay it please Yovir Excelly.

The inclosed was designed some time since to have kissed your hands, but before such time
as it could meet with a secure & convenient conveyance Your Excelly's letter to this
Government of the 21"' instant arrived here with the inclosed papers and articles of peace
\dth the Sinuekes Indians, for which we retume you our humble and hearty thanks, more
especially in that you have according to the custome of your predecessors in that government
included us and the rest of their Majestys subjects in these your neighbouring collonys therein,
allthough we cannot also (and that with some diffidence and trouble) but observe that the most
considerable nation of those Indian called the Sinnondewannes' of greater force than all the
rest are not concerned in the league.

Your Excellys. letter demanding a supply from this Province we have duely considered and
are sufficiently sencible of our duty in complying therewith so farr forth as we cann for their
JMajestys sei-vice and do assure your Excelly. none shall be more forward in testifying their
zeal of the same then ourselves. But you may please to understand that the constitucon of
this Province is and always hath been such that no forces cann be raised to be drawn out of
this Province or moneys or other supply s levyed but by consent of the freemen in a Cenerall
Assembly or Convention, wherein at present also consists the chief and only governing power
and authority of this Province in matters of such moment ; and which the more better and
effi^ctually to comply with Your Excellys. demands we have caused to be convened by the first
day of September next, which will be as soon as they cann possibly be gott together, and then
we doubt not but such measures will be taken as may answer fully your requests,
proportionable to our abilitys & as may most conduce to their Ma'^" service : But we must
also recommend to your Excellys consideracon that we doubt you have not had duely
rejn-esented to you the true state and condicon of this Province, compared with others the
neighbouring colonys, in that you seeme in your demands to equalize us with Virginia who
exceeds both in men and wealth four times the number and value, and preferr us to Peusilvania
who much excell us in either. However we hope we shall not be backward in our endeavors
to promote their Majestys interest and be serviceable to you in this and upon all occasions of
the like Nature or otherwise for their Majestys Service and the publick good, and question not
in the least but when the Convention meets, in whose power it is to compleat the same, your
Excelly will receive an effectuall and satisfactory answer to your demands.

In the mean time we send you herewitli our trusty freind M' W° Blackiustien* a person of
good fame and creditt with us to present this to Yo"' Excelly's hands, as also to consult with
you and be advized of the best and most suiteable methods to comply with your occasions that
we may accordingly represent the same to our convention for their order and disposition. We
request Yo'' Excelly. to give all due faith and credence to the bearer, who we have fully
commiconated for this purpose, and are certain he will offer nothing but what modestly his

' Tlie Southeru name for the Senecas. See ante p. 321. A castle of the Senecas, says Colden, from whence the French
called theiu Touontouan. History of the Five Nations, note, p. 42. — Ed.

" " Blan-kixstein " in the original in New ■ York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVII. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 789

instruccons lead him to, and therefore we recommend him to your kind and favourable
reception, to whome you may freely and safely communicate and committ what further
requests or commands you please to lay on

Your Excelly's

Most humble Serv"

Ne* Blakiston P"
a true Copy

M. Clarkson Secry :

Intended Letter of Governor Slaughter to Secretary Blaihtoayt.

[New-Tork Papers, III. A. 7.]

Sir,

The inclosed narrative will inform you of the resistance made by Jacob Leysler and his
associates to Major Ingoldsby and the king's Forces.

On my arrival here on the 19"' March last I found the Country all in arms Jacob Leisler
with near four hundred men in the fort firing upon the Town where he killed and wounded
several of the [People] after I published my commission I sent Major Ingoldsby to demand
the surrender of the fort which was flatly denied, however he sent one Stoll who knew me in
England to see if I was really come, upon his return to Leisler I sent a second summons which
was likewise refused and then he sent two of his principal Councillors Melbourne and Delanoy
to capitulate with me which I could not admit but ordered them immediately to be secured,
the next day he sent to demand the prisoners but I could not permit them to deliver their
Message, resolving to attack the fort by sea and land having ordered the man of war to go and
lie at the back of the fort and Major Ingoldsby to march with the kings Forces to the Fort
Gate and make a peremptory demand of a surrender otherwise would assault them, they then
did admit Major Ingoldsby to enter alone who by my Order required them to gi-ound their
arms and march out of the fort and they all should be pardoned except Leisler and his Council
who they readily forsook and the Major thereupon commanded the king's forces to enter and
brought Leisler and his Coimcil to me at the City Hall, they being taken in actual rebellion, I
with the advice of the Council committed them to prison and ordered a commission of Oyer
and Terminer to be issued out for their legal trial where two were acquitted by their country
viz' Delanoy and Edsell, six convicted by their Country, and Leisler and Melbourne condemned
as mute. By the advice of the Judges I was inclined to reprieve them until his Majesty's
pleasure should be known, but the people were so much disturbed thereat and the Council
and Assembly did represent to me the great damage it would be to the King's Service and
discouragement to future loyalty if the law was not executed upon the principal Actors which
I was constrained to do and on the 17"" of May Leisler and Milbourne were accordingly
executed having respited all the sentence, saving the hanging and the separating their heads
from their bodies. The Assembly met me pursuant to my writs on the 9"* of April chose M''
Graham their Speaker, did unite with me in every thing necessary for the King's Service,
have established a Revenue for two years and passed several other laws for their own

790 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

coiiveniency, which [are] now transmitted to you for his Majesty's Approbation amongst which
there is one very necessary to remove the people's mistake they had been poisoned with from
New England that the Crowai has nothing to do with the people here which is an Act
recognizing their Majesty's Right to this Province. To prevent the like disorders for the
future, we have also joined [in] an address which was sent to you via Virginia wherein we assure
His Majesty of our hearty atlections to serve him and also represent the necessity of nnitiug
those parts again into one head of Government as they were under His Royal Highness
the Duke of York, otherwise we. shall neither be able to defend ourselves nor secure the
Revenue.

So soon as I had settled all tilings in good Order here I went to Albany where I arrived the
found that place full of disorder the people ready to desert the place about one hundred
and fifty good farmers destroyed and deserted by the French and late disorders. The Indians
at last met me but were very cool in their affections at fii'st liaving been under strong
temptations from the French, by their proposals herewith sent you will fully know their mind,
having now firmly united them.

While I was there I was daily alarmed with reports that the French intended a sudden
invasion upon us : tor prevention whereof, so far as I am able have fitted out a party of one
luuidred and thirty Christians who joined with three hundred Maquas and River Indians under
the command of Major Schyler who I have sent into Canada, lie is likewise to meet there
about 500 Sinnekes who have promised to go down Cadaraque River and assault them in the
rear, at the same time he does in the front and doubt not but shall have a good account of that
action or at least may be a means to divert their design until we be for a better posture of
defence having for that purpose required of all my neighbours their assistance for the
reinforcement of Albany as per the letters sent them, duplicates whereof sent you, but am
flatly denied by Boston, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, hope to meet with better success from
Virginia and Maryland whose aid have likewise demanded, the securing of Albany being the
only safety of all their Majesties' Plantations on this maine for if that be lost our Indians are
lost, and if the French get them they certainly get all America and how unable tliis small and
poor province is to be the only Bulwark against all the King's Enemies may be easily judged,
all which having deeply weighed togetlier with the present unhappy circumstances of Our
Nieghbours in New England vs^ho are so divided amongst themselves and so averse to any
service to the King tliat if his favor do not extend his immediate Government over them they
will certainly by their folly lose their Country and endanger the loss of their Majesties' Empire
in America. Do therefore find of absolute necessity for the King's great & only service in
America to send this Gentleman M"' Graham over, who I have found very hearty and steady
to the King's Service and the person most capable to serve his Majesty in this matter and he
purely embraceth this at my command to serve the king he not having had time since he came
hither to inspect his pai'ticular concerns, nor indeed to get one farthing of profit to himself
having been constantly employed for the public and in such matters where no benefit doth
arise, he hath suffered in his person and Estate since these troubles began and doubt not but
he will discharge his trust witii such faithfulness that he may obtain the Lords favor to
consider him for his great sufferings and former services to the Crown &'^

Sir,

You are so well acquainted with this Government I need not urge you with new arguments
to move the king to dispatch this affair since his service and all the revenue that accrues to him

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 791

from America is concerned in it and what desired so just and necessary ; better for tlie King's
Service and people's safety, I hope will meet with no obstruction.

In our address now sent we have plainly and truly represented the former and present state
of this Province, but if for the want of Records or any other thing we have omitted any thing
material that may be of service I must beg the favor of you to assist us in it and solicit his
Majesty and the Lords of Council in the behalf of this poor Province who only wants ability
to make his Majesty the greatest Monarcii in the world and I hope where there is such signal
demonstration of Loyalty in one only place among so many there will be no farther need of
argument where the King's interest is so nearly concerned, desiring only that Connecticut,
East and West Jersey, Pensylvania or the three lower Counties on Delaware River, all formerly
under the Duke's Government may be reunited to make a safe and formidable defence against
the French attempts, and that if possible the memory of the French might be rooted out of
America his Majesty would be pleased to issue his mandatory letters to New England Virginia
and Maryland to assist us with men and money that we may so unite not only for our defence
but if possible to the subduing of Canada which will not be so difficult with an united force,
and I am sure a greater service cannot be done the Crown nor a better way to enlarge a
Revenue, the King will have then the command of all the Trade of Furs in the world. This
Gentleman doth acknowledge himself much obliged to you for your favours and improves all
opportunities to promote your advantage, I have left the whole management of this affair to
him provided he be governed by your advice and directions, have ordered him to wait upon
you and to be grateful for your services and assistance.

[ The preceding letter is referred to in the following miaiite of Council, dated July 29, 1691 : " Ordered, That Coll. Smith
and Mr NicoUs Doe view A Letter of his late Excellency designed for Mr Blaithwayte and Correct and amend the same at
(heir own Discrecon." New -York Council Minutes, VI., 41 It was accordingly amended; and will be found, as altered, post
p. 794, sub date 6th August when it was signed. — Ed.]

The Connnander-lii-Chief and the Council to the Committee of Trade.

[ New-York Enlry, II. 304. ] • •

New York July SO"- 1691
May it please your Lodpps

On the 23"^ Instant Coll Sloughter our late Gov"' was seiz"* w"" sudden death whereupon
pursuant to their Mat'^' Lres Pat* we did unanimously declare Major Richard Ingoldsby to be
Commander in Chief, nntill their Mat'" pleasure should be further knowen and on the 27""
Curr' he was sworn to execute the Powers and Authoritys contained in their Mat'" said Lres
Pat", His Excellency the late Gov'' on his arrival here found this Countrey in great Desorder,
Leisler, Millboume & others who had usurp'd the Governm' having greivously oppressed y*^
best of the Inhabitants were so hardened in their Wickedness that they would not admitt Maj''
Ingoldsby who arrived with their Mat'" Forces & Stores into the Fort but on the contrary
issued out Proclamacions of Warr against him, fir'd upon the Citty killed severall of the
subjects the particulars whereof are more fully related in the narrative sent to M'' Blathwayt,
on the lO"" of March his excellency arrived published their Mat'" Lres Patent and commanded

792 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

a surrender of the Fort which was several times deuyecl at last they proposed a Capitulacion
w"^"" his excellency refused and seized upon Milbourne and DelaNoy who were the Messengers,
the next day the Fort was surrendered, Leisler and his Councillors Committed to prison being
taken in actual Rebellion, a Commission of Oyer & Terminer was issued for their legal Tryall
where the two principal Actors Leisler and Milbourne were condemned as mute, Six convict
by their Country and two cleared on the 16 of May the Mutes were executed the rest
reprieved until their Maf' Pleasure were knowne, on the 9'^ April his Excellency met the
Assembly who chose their Speaker and did agree with his Excellency in many things for their
Ma''""^ Service the laws made are now Transmitted to M'' Blathwayt for Their
I.idre^'toftei? Ma«" approbacou the Assembly did then address Their Ma"" with the state of
councei does now this Proviucc w*^*" We liave now further presumed to do in a moi'e particular manner

setting forth a

Slate rf ye and liumbly beg your Lodps favour therein there being nothing requested but

according to the best of our experience and understanding is of absolute necessity

for their Mat'" dignity & advantage and the security of their subjects here all w'^'' is humbly

submitted to your Lops his excellency had no sooner settled affairs here, but he went to

Albany with several gentl"" of the Council where he mett the Indians, and

Acct of ye •' "

FortfflKidonsat notwithstanding the strong endeavours of the French hath so fix'd them that we
Albany &c have causc to believe they will prove constant to us. The French are very active.

His Excellency view'd Schenectady and several out places where he found them in a very sad
and miserable condicon occasioned by the late Troubles and the French who had descended upon
them burn't Schenectady and had killed and taken several Inhabitants he has Garrisoned
Schenectady & the Half Moon & upon the Report he heard of the Recruits arrived in Canada &
of 400 Canoos making at Mont Royall with design to come and take Albany he fitted out 130
Christians & 300 Maquaes and River Indians under the command of Major Schuler who went into
Canada on the 22'' past and were to meet there about 500 Senequaes who promised to go down
Cadaraqua River unto them. We hope they may do some service or at least divert their
New England deny Invasion untill We be in a better posture of Defence having wrote Letters to the
ssistance neighbouring Colonies for their Assistance, Connecticutt, Rhode Island and the
Massachusetts flattly deny us & will not afibrd us releif. We expect better from Virginia
and Maryland there being an absolute necessity of Garrisoning Albany with at least 500
Men and this Province as now limitted impossible to raise or maintaine them yet that
Post of so great Import that if it be not preserved will endanger the loss of all their Mat'"
Colonies on this Continent being the only defence and security of them all, We therefore
pray your Lops to consider the present State of this Province who had groan'd under
insupportable Pressures ever since that unhappy union with Boston in the late reign the
Governm' then being of larger extent and the means of conveying intelligence so difficult and
Tedious that one end of the Dominion might have been destroyed before the other could have
notice of it besides they have since so poison'd those Western Parts with their Seditious and
Antimonarchical principles who formerly were all siguall for their good affection to the
Monarchy that all the miserys that since attended this Province is only to be attributed to
that miserable union. In the address now sent to their Mat'""' your Lodps will p''ceive that
these Colonies ibrmerly under one head & Government and now desire to be reunited has this
advantage^besides all the others accruing to their Mat'" that this place the seat of the Governm'
is in the centre of the whole & Schenectady which is the extreemest Part of all will not exceed
160 miles so that in two or three days we can be advised and give releif to any part in a short
time.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 793

May it please your Lodspps

The small quantity of Stores and Ammunition brought over by Gov' Sloughter
stores Wanting are distributed for their Mat'*"' service to the Indians and Garrisons of Albany
Schenectady and out Places so that we are now in great want therefore earnestly beg your
Lodps Care for a speedy supply of the quantity contained in the enclosed List

We are y"" Lodps most ob' Servants

Richard Ingoldsby
Fred Flypse
Step. V Cortlandt
A True Copy Nich Bayard

M' Clarkson Secretary Gab. Menville

Will Pinhorne
Chid Brooke

A List of Stores want'ing for their Mat"'' Service in the Frorincc of New Yu?k

20000", of Powder 100, Brimston,

50, Pick Axes, 50, Rheenis of Cartridge Paper

400, Shovells, 12, Lanthornes

1200", Match 10, Guns 18 Pounders

1000, Firelocks, 10, Guns 24 Pounders

12, Halbards, Shott agreeable

600", Sheet Lead, 600, Shot of 2 & -3" ball,

100, Salt petre,

Rich"^ Ingoldsby

M' Clarkson Secretary Fred Phillips

Steph V Cortlandt
Nich Bayard
Chidley Brooke
Gab"" Menville
Will Pinhorne
A true Copy

M' Clarkson Sec.

Vol. in. 100

794 NEW- YORK COr.ONTAL MANUSCKTPTS.

Tlie Coinrnander-in-Cliiff and Couvcil of ^\u:-Yorl to J//'. BJutltn-oijt.

[NfW-Tork rapc-rs, III. 1>. 30.]

New Yorke Aug'' G"' 1G91.
Sir

We must acquaint you that on the 23 Instant his Excellency Coll: Sloughter our Govern'"
departed this life in a very suddain manner, whose body we caused to be opened by the
Phisetians and Chururgeans on the place ; a copy of whose report to us upon their oaths we
have herewith sent you, by which you will see their opinion concerning the cause of his death.
The Lord' Govern'' was at the time of his death preparing to give the Lords Conmiissioners Ibi-
Plantacons, an account of the state and condicon of this Province, and hee being prevented by
this unexpected accident we think it a duty incumbent upon us to render their Lop* and your
selfe the best relation of affairs we are capable of.

The inclosed Narrative will informe you of the resistance made by Jacob Leisler and liis
associates to Maj' Ingoldsby and tiie Kings forces on the Governors arrivall here on the 19"'
of March last. Hee found the country all in arms, Leisler with near 400 men in tlie fort
fireing upon the towne, where he killed and wounded several! of the people. After he had
published his commission he sent Maj"" Ingoldsby to demand the surrender of the Fort, which
was flattly denyed. However Leisler sent one StoU who knew the Gov'' in England, to see if
he was really come. Upon his returne to Leisler, the Governour sent a second summons,
which was likewise refused, and then Leisler sent two of iiis principall consellors Milborne
and Delanoy to capitulate ; which would not be admitted and they were ordered immediately
to be secured. The next day he sent to demand the prisoners, but the Governour would not
receive their message, resoiveing to attaq the Fort by sea and land, haveing ordered the man
of warr to go and ly at the back of the Fort and Maj'' Ingoldsby to march with the King's
forces to the fort gate and make a peremptory demand of a surrender, otherwise would assault
them. They then did admitt Maj'' Ingoldsby to enter alone, wlio by the Govern''^ order
required them immediately to ground their arms and march out of the Fort, and they all
should be pardoned except Leisler and his Councill; who they readyly forsook. The Major
tliereupon commanded the King's forces to enter, and brought Leisler and his Councill to the
Governour at the Citty hall, they being found in actuall rebellion the Govern'' with advice of
the Councill committed them to prison, and ordered a commission of Oyer and Terminer to be
issued out for their legall tryall ; where two were acquitted by their country, viz' Delanoy and
Edsell, six convict by their country, and two, Leisler and Milbourne condemned as mute. The
Govern"' took care the persons appointed to sett on their tryall should be such as were most
capable of discerneing the truth and the least prejudiced to those people; who indeed executed
their commission with all the lenity and patience imaginable. By the advice of the Judges
Govern'' was inclined to reprieve them untill His Majesties pleasure should be knowne, but
the people were so nmch disturbed thereat, and the Councill and Assembly did represent to
him the great damage it would be to the Kings service & a discouragem' to future loyalty if
the law was not executed u])on the two principall actors, which for the publick peace he was
induced to do, fmd on the 17"' May Leisler and Milbourne were accordingly executed, haveing
respited all the sentence, saveing tlie hanging and seperateing tiieir heads from their bodyes.

The Assembly niett pursuant to the writts on tlie 9"' of x^prill, did unite in every thing

' "The ««(<? Governor." i\'f!o- J'o)-/: Co/o/iia/ J/an?(.scryj(s, XXXVII. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 795

necessary for tlie King's service, have establislied revenue for two years and passed scverall
other taxes for their own conveniency, wliich are now transmitted to you for their Majesties
approhacon ; amongst which there is one verj^ necessary to remove the peoples niistalves
they liad been poisoned with from New England that the Crowne has nothing to do with the
people here, which is. An Act recognizeing their Majesties right to this Province to prevent the
like disorders for the future we have also joyned in an Address whicli was sent to you via
\'irginia, wherein we assure His Majesty of our hearty ati'eccou to serve him, and also represent
the necessity of uniteing of these parts again into one head of government as they were under
his Royall Highness the Duke of Yorke, otherwise we shall neither be able to defend our
selves nor secure the Revenue.

f?o soon as the Govern"' had settled all things in good order here he with a quonim of the
Councill went to Albany; found that place full of disorder, the people I'eady to desert it;
about 150 farms deserted and destroj^ed by the French and late disordei-s. The Indians at
last mett the Govern'' but were very coole in their aft(3cc6ns, at first, haveing been under strong
temptations from the French by their proposealls herewith sent you, you will fully know their
minds, being now as wee suppose firmly united to ns. While the Gover' was there he was
dayly alarmed with reports that the French intended a suddain invasion upon ns ; for
prevention whereof so farr as they were able, they fitted out a party of 130 Christians, who
joyn'd with 300 Maquase and River Indians nnder the command of Maj' Schuyler who is sent
into Canada. He is likewise to meet there about 500 Sinnekes who have promised to go down
Cadaraq River and assault them in the rear at the same time he does the like in the tiont and
doubt not but shall have a good ace' of that accan ; at least it may be a means to divert their
designe untill we be in a better posture of defence haveing for that purpose requiretl of all our
neighbours their assistance for the reinforcem' of Albany as per letters sent them, duplicates
whereof are now sent you ; but flatly denyed by Boston Rhoad Island and Connecticutt. Wo
hope to meet with better success from Virginia and Maryland, whose aid have likewise
demanded, the security of Albany being the only safety of all their JNIat^* plantacons on this
Main; for if that be lost our Indians are lost, and if the French get theui, their Majestys
Plantacons in America will be in great hazard, and how unable this small and poor Province
is to be the only bullwarke against all the King's enemys, may be easily judged. All wiiich
haveing deeply weighed, together with the present imhappy circumstances of our neighbours
in N. England, wlio are so divided amongst themselves and so averse to any service of the King,
tiiat if his favor do not speedyly extend his immediate governm' over them, they will certaiul)' by
their folly and their contempt endanger the loss of His Ma'^'^ empire in America. In our address
now sent we have plainly and truely represented the former and present state of this Province,
but if for want of records lost or any other thing we have omitted any thing materiall that
may be of service, we must begg the favor of you to assist us in it and solicite His Majesty
and the Lords of the Committee in the behalfe of this poor Province. We hope where there is
such signall demonstracon of loyallty in one only place amongst so many, ther will be no further
need of argum' where the Kings intrest is so nearly concerned; desireing only that Connecticutt
East and West Jersey, Pensilvania or the three Lower Countys on Delaware River, all formerly
under the Dukes Governm' may be reunited to make a safe and formidable defence against the
French attempts

796

NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Honoured Sir

The small quantity of stores & amunicon brought over hy Coll Slaughter are distributed for
Their Mnj"" service to the Indians and the garrisons of Albany Schenectady and out places,
so that now we are in great want, therefore earnestly begg your care for a speedy supply of
tlie quantity contained in the inclosed list.

Ric. Ingoldesby
Fred. Philips
Steph. Courtlandt
NiCH. Bayard
Gab. Menviele
A true Copy Will. Nicolls

M. Clarkson Secry ; Will. PiNHORiNE.

Addre-'s-'i of the Gocernor and Council of JVeio-Yoik to the King.

[New- York Papers, HI. D. 2a.]

The Humble Address of the Governour and Councill of Your Majestys
Province of New Yorke and Dependencys.

Most Gracious Sovereigne

May it please Yo"' Most Excel' Maj'^.
Tiiere being nothing so dear unto us as the prosperity of your Majesty the increase of your
empire and the safety of your people planted in these remote parts of America, We therefore
in all humble manner find it our duty to represent unto your sacred Majesty the state and
coudicon of this Your Majesty's Province that by a view tliereof Your Majesty may be truely
informed of the advantages accrueing to Your Majesty and also of the great detriment and
prejudice that threatens Your Majestys interest by the pretences of our neighbours and the
strength of the French Your Majestys declared enemys.

Tiierefore Most Excel' Sovereigne

This Your Maj'^* Province was first setled and planted in the year of our Lord 1(J19. hy the
States Geuerall of the United Provinces, who did extend the line of their dominion from this
Your Majesty's Citty of New Yorke to the eastward as furr as Conneticut River and to the
westward along the coast beyond Delaware River and to the northward up Hudson's River so
farr as Schenectady and from thence to the Lakes of Canada, and from thence to the westward
so farr as the Sinnekes land or the Indian hunting reacheth. Since which time in the yeare of
our Lord 1GG4. King Charles the Second did subdue and reduce to the allegiance of Your
Majesty's crowne all the inhabitants and territorys within the limitts aforesaid ; all which was
gi-anted by King Charles the Second unto His Royall Highness James Duke of Yorke in the
same yeare together with tlie governm' of all that tract of land to the westward of Delaware
River unto Maryland

His Royall Highness was pleased out of the premises to grant a certain tract of land unto
the Right Honorable Jolm Lord Barclay and Sir George Carterett limited and bounded by

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. "797

Hudson and Delaware Rivers, as per the Deed of Conveyance relation being thereunto had
may more fully appeare ; the remaining part continued in His Royall Highnesses possession
untill the yeare of our Lord 1G82. William Penn procured a pattent from King Charles the
Second for land to the westward of Delaware River, now called Peusilvauia, as per said
pattent doth more largely appear.

His Royall Highness was also pleased to grant unto the said William Penn, New Castle
upon Delaware River and twelve miles round about and afterwards he made another grant
unto him of all the land to the Southward of New Castle.

Now, may it please your Majesty, all that hath been reserved out of the territorys and
dominion aforesaid is only Long Island and some other small Islands adjacent, New York,
Zopus, Albany, and the liniitts thereof; for tiie preserving of which the Crowne hath been at
great charge, and for the support of Your Maj"" governm' there is now in Generall Assembly a
revenue established upon the trade thereof; which is managed in manner following.

New Yorke is the Metropolis, is scituate upon a barren island bounded by Hudson's River
and the East River that runs into the Sound, and hath nothing to support it but trade, which
cheifly flows from flower and bread they make of the corne the west end of Long Island and
Zopus produceth ; which is sent to the west Indies, and there is brought in retume from thence
amongst other things a liquor called Rumm, tlie duty whereof considerably encreaseth Your
Majesties revenue.

Zopus is a place upon Hudsons River, SO miles distant from New Yorke ; consists of five
small towns whose inhabitants manage husbandry and have not above 3000 acres of manureable
land ; all the rest being liills and mountains, not possible to be cultivated.

Albany lyes upon the same River distant from New Yorke 144 miles, only settled lor Indian
trade, its commerce extends itself as farr as the Lakes of Canada and the Sinnekes country in
which is the Susquehanna River : tlieir cheife dependance is upon their traffick with the 5
nations called Sinnekes Cayeugoes Oneydes Onondages and Maquase, vviiich Indians in the
time of the Dutch did surrender themselves and their lands to the obedience and proteccon of
Albany, and upon that places reduccon to Your Majesties Crowne of England they continued
confirming the same successively to all the Governours of this Province, and hath now ratifyed
and confirmed the same unto Your Majesty : so that all that tract of land from the westermost
extent of the Sinnekes Country unto Albany hath been appropriated and did absolutely belong
unto the inhabitants Albany upwards of fourty yeares ; Tlie Indian inhabitants have always
reckoned themselves subjects to Your Majesties crowne, and are not willing to submitt or have
any trade or commerce with any of Your Majestys subjects but those at Albany, Your Mnjestys
forts of New Yorke and Albany had allways an absolute dominion over all the Indian Nations,
adjacent to this Province but especially of all those to the westward; and they were accustomed
annually to bring tribute to Your Majestys forts, acknowledging the same, but of late years the
neighbouring CoUonys have obstructed them which we conceive highly injurious to Your
Majestys interest and that this royalty is not conveyed by aoy of the afore recited grants.

Long Island is pleasantly scituated and well planted but brings little gain unto Your Majesty,
the East end being cheifely settled by New England people who have erected five towns. Their
improvements are most in pasturage and whaleing. What is produced from their industry is
frequently carried to Boston and notwithstanding of the many strict rules and laws made to
confine them to this place they interlope that the revenue there is not able to defray the expence
of looking after it. The middle of the Island altogether barren ; the west end cheifely imployed
in tillage, which in a great measure suppiys the traffiq of New Yorke.

798 NEW-YOEK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

All the rest of the Province, West Chester, Staten Lslaiul and INIartins Vineyard excepted,
consist of barren mountains hills, not improveable by humane indurstry.

Now may it please Your Maj'^

The revenue that is established in this Province is in such a nature that if the encroachm"
and pretences of our neighbours be removed, it will not only be sufficient to defray the charge
of Your Maj""^^' GovernmS but also bring in proffitt into Your Maj"" coffers.

East Jersey is scituate on Hudsons River over against Long Island Staten Island and New
Yorke, and they pretend by the aforementioned grant to be a free place and to have free ports
to trade as they please, which if admitted must certainly destroy Yo'' Maj"" interest and
revenue here; for what merchant will come to New York and trade and pay to Yo'' Maj'^ 2 & 10
p'' cent with tlie excise and Yo'' Maj"" dutys settled here, if they can at 2 or 3 miles distance
over against the same place go and be free from any duty or imposition whatever.

Conneticutt lyes to the eastward of us & pretends to the like freedome as East Jersey, and
doth in the same degree threaten Yo'' Majestys interest with the hke incouveniency and
prejudice. Therefore May it please Your Maj'J if Connecticutt East and 'U'^est Jersey be not
annexed to Your Majestys Government of this Province it will be alltogither impossible to
raise such a revenue to Yo"' Majesty here as will be sufficient to defray the charge of the
government, and the annexing thereof cannot he injurious to the proprietors, but on the
contrary advantageous to them, for it will ease them of the charge of governm' which hath
allways exceeded the Quitt Rents accrueing to them ; wheras if they were annexed the
profitts would be freed from that charge, retain their propertys and put the Quitt Rents clear
in their pocquets.

These inconveniences of Connecticutt East and West Jersey are not only prejudicial! to
Yo'" Maj'^* intrest, but also the pretences of William Penn Esq'' to the 3 lower Countys on
Delaware River and to the Susquehanna River are equally, if not more, injurious to Your
Maj'y and particularly in this respect. Susquehanna River is scituate in the midle of the
Sinnekes country, which they gave unto Your Majestys crowne and hath belonged as an
appendix to this Your Maj"" governm' many yeares before M"" Penn had his pattent.
Notwithstanding thereof M'' Penn endevors to disturb Your Majesty in the peaceable and
quiett possession of the premises ; endeavouring to tempt the Indians to sell it again to him,
by that means not only to dispossess Your Majesty of your antient rights but also to pervert
and draw away the trade of the Indians to his Province ; which will be an irreparable loss
to Your INIajesty, all the Nations with whonie Albany hath their trade liveing at the head of
Susquehanna River. So the revenue of 10 p' Cent, the impost upon powder, lead, alumn and
furrs, quite lost, and if M"" Penn should attain his pretences to the Susquehanna River, it will
not only destroy the best branch of Your Maj"" revenue, but it will likewise depopulate Your
Province, the inhabitants of Albany haveing only seated them selves there and addicted their
minds to the Indian language and the misteries of the said trade, with purpose to manage it,
that if it should be diverted from that channell, they must follow it, haveing no other way or
art to gett a lively hood.

The 3 lower Countys were planted at the charge and expence of this Your Maj'^^ Citty of
New Yorke and cheifely to encrease and preserve the navigacon of this port, being recommended
to imploy their industry in planting of tobacco, which being a bulkey comodity gave great
encouragement to shipping, as well as it brings great profitt to Yo' Maj'^. Since we have mett
with obstruccons from that place by the pretences of M'' Penn, we have not been able to load so

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIIT. 799

many ships as formerly ; all that yo-- Majesties province prodncetii suiteahle for Europe heing
only furrs, which are of gveat value and in small bulk, gives little encouragem' to navigation.
We were also accustomed to have considerable parcells of peltry from said Countys, which go
now another way without paying Yo' Majesty any thing, and that which is a heavier pressure
npon us, they constrain us a penny per pound for the tobacco brought here, and send it to
Pensilvania, a distinct Province without paying any thing ; by that means diverting the trade
of this port to Pensilvania : hy all which Your Majesty may perceive that the pretences of M"'
Penn to the Susquehanna River are very injurious to Your Maj"« right and revenue; so that
some care must be taken if Your Maj'^ sees cause he shall remain a distinct governm' that
his line doth encroach upon Your Majesties right noe farther upon the Susquehanna River
then the fall thereof; otherwise it's scituation being so near the Sinnekes Indians, if planted
by them, must of necessity divert the whole trade of Albany.

May it please Your Most Excel' Maj"".

This is the State of Your Majesties Province with relation to our neighbours Your ^lajestys
subjects. There is likewise the French, formerly under the pretence of propagateing the
Christian faith amongst the Indians, did thereby very much incroach upon Yo' Majesties right
on this side of the Lake, and particularly did draw away many of our Indians into Canada,
under the notion of supplying them with priests to instruct them in the Christian Religion ; by
which means they lessened our hunting much, and has so weakened the Maquase nation, that
they are not capable to do Yo^ Majesty the service as formerly. Besides they are so aftected
to the French Yo^ Maj"<=^ enemys, that while they are in being we cann have no safety. Since
the war the French priests have retired from their Castles and the Dutch Minister at Albany
hath been very successful in converting many of them to the true religion, in which they are
very devout and desirous to have a ministry settled amongst them for their pious comfort and
instruccon. This would be of great advantage to Your Majesty not only in the encrease of
your revenue but also so endear the Indians to us, that they would continue to be the
preservacon of this and the rest of Your Majestys adjacent Colonys ; these nations bemg the
strongest and most terrible amongst the Indians, are the only bullwarke and wall ot defence
both a-ainst other Indians and the French pretences, which we are dayly threatened with,
bein- fnformed that they intend with considerable force of themselves and the Ottawawes
Indians to descend upon Albany and take it; which is not at present able (if attaqued) to
resist neither is the whole Province as now narrowed, capable to secure that post, which hath
occasioned an applicac6n to our neighbours for assistance, but possetively denyed ; the
particulars whereof are more plainly expressed in letters to the Secretary of State and
Plantacons; by all which Yo^ Maj'" may judge of the present state of this Province and of
the inconveniencys that dayly attend it.

Now may it please Your Most Excell' Maj'^ , ,. • ,

The premises considered we humbly presume and represent unto Your Most Sacred Majesty
that there cann be no thing in America more conducive to Yo^ Maj"- dignity and advantage
and for the safety of Yo' Maj"" subjects upon this continent then that Connecticut, East and
West Jersey, Pennsilvania and 3 Lower Countys be re-annexed to this Yo>- Maj- Province
which then will be a governm' of sufficient extent; our late annexing to Boston lav.ng been
evidently ruinous and destructive to these parts and maybe other waies prejudicial to \o
Maj"- interest for these reasons. Yo^ Maj'^' hath [here] already by the unanimous consent of the

800 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

people, a revenue estalilished of greater value then is any where else in Yo'' Maj'*'' Plantacons,
and whoever are joyned to this Province submitt to the Establishm' ; wliereas it will be difficult
to settle the like among our neighbours, and if settled, remain[ing] distinct governments, they
are so weak as not capable to defend themselves, and the revenue will be eat up in looking after
it, that they cannot be profitable to Yo'' Maj'^ Whereas if they be annexed, the charge will
be no more to YC Maj'^ then now without them, and their conjunction must at least encrease
the Revenue 3 fold, besides will make this Province not only capable to defend themselves but
to anoy if not subdue the enemy.

May it please Your Majesty; thesmall quantity of Stores Govern"' Sloughter brought over
are mostly disposed of in the severall small forts of Albany and Schenectady &' so that now
we must begg the favor of a fresh supply.

All which is liumbly submitted.
G"" August IfiOI. Rich: Ixgoldsby

Fred. Phillips
Stev. Coutlandt
NicH. Bayahd
Gab. Menviell
Chid: Brook
A true Copy Will: NIcolls.

M. Clarkson Secrj':

Major Peter 8elniyler''s Journal of liis Expfditwn to Canada.

[Board of Trade Papers, New-York, III.]

A modest and true I'elation or journal of the sundry accidents happening to
Major Schuyler and the party of Christians and Indians under his command
in their expedition to Canada Anno Dni 1691. and of theire successe and
victory.

June the 2P' 1G91. We sett out from Albany with our Christians for Canida, travelled
about 24 miles until we came to the still water in the evening, we met about 60 of our River
Indians.

24th -^Yg marched to Saraghtoga sixteen miles distance and encamped about 2 of the clock
aftemoone.

2,5th We continued at Saraghtoga; foul weather, where we were joyned by 15 Mohawkes
commanded by one Schayavanhoendere.

26"" We marched from thence to the first and second carrying places tenne miles distant,
where we mett two River Indians come from hunting with two Bears and one Deer.

27"' We remained at the second carying place where we killed two young Bears and one
Deer.

28*'' We all marched over to the last carrying place being 12 miles by land and tenn miles
by water in good health and order accompanied only vdth 12 of the Schachticook Indians,

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 801

the rest having taryed at the second carrying place to attend tlieir Sachems being sick, the
Mohawks also taryed with them.

30«'' We begun to make Canoes, felled several trees that could not be peeled, in the evening
came up to us tenn of those Indians, we left at the second carrying place, and told us, the
Moliawks we had left there were gone a hunting to the Eastward & promised to meet us again
at the falls at the end of the wood creeke.

July the 1'' We made eight Canoes, some of seven eight, ten or twelve ^Men ; this day I
sent Lieut' Abraham Schuyler and Gerryt Lucas to Towne, to see where the Maquase stayd,
three of the Maquasse that had parted from us, came up in the afternoone and said that they
lay about two English miles to the Eastward of us, I sent out 2 Indians to spy as farr as the
wood Creeke, that returned and saw nothing.

2" This day I sent out two Indian spyes as farr as Lake S' Sackramen, 20 miles distant,
but they returned not, I sent one of our Christians taken sick homewards, about 2 a clock in
the afternoone arrived three Mohawques one of them the Capt" of the 15. that were neere us,
brought me a piece of a fall Bear, told me he would go to the head of the wood Creeke and
there tarry for my coming ; my Men were divided into three Squadrons each of w-^" had the
turne of watching every third night.

S'-d I sent out two other spyes as farr as the lake returned but saw nothing ; then we
marched as farr as the forke, being tenn miles where I received the bad news of the losse of
two Men at Kenestiguione 12 miles from Albany, the one being killed and the other taken.

4«'' It continued to lighten, thunder and rain as the night before, so were forced to lay
still doing nothing all that day.

.5»' We marched to a place a little below the Forke where lay tenne River Indians, who
were gone before a hunting, who told us that a little before day they heard a French Mohawke,
shewed us the place where he satt, they had tired 3 or 4 guns at him ; I sent agam 2 spyes so
farr as Lake S' Sackraman, who saw nothing.

6"> We went about making Canoes, could make but one, being very difficult to peele the
Bark This day I received a letter from M^ Wessells, acquainting me that the Mohawks
would be at Schenectady by the S" of July in number 74. from the first and second Castle, but
that when he came to the 3"^ Castle, they were not yet resolved whether or not to come, which
forced us to lye here and spend our provisions. This day also came up with us 19 of the
Schaticook Indians from the carrying place, and informed me that 2G. of their Indians^ were
returned home, whereupon I wrote to M' Wessells to send them back by the hands of nine
Christians and 5 Indians whom I sent to Albany for reniitt of Bread.

7.1. This morning I sent out 11. Indians for provisions; three of the Katskill Indians runn
away, fifty odd men with the remaining Indians went about making Canoes, and all that day
made but three, having felled a great many trees that could not be peel'd.

8"> Went out but could not gen one Canoe; saw an Indian runn away in the woods but
could not discover who he was. , r en

gt- Came Gerrard Luykasse and Herman \edder with two Mohawks, from a party of SO
Mohawks at a Lake right over Saraghtoga, who went by the way of Lake S« Sackraman and
promised to meet us in six days at Ciiinandroga. This day also came two Schachticook ndiaus
& told us of seven Christians with bread and pease at the water side, and tiiat the lo Mohawkes
that went down to the falls are gone without speaking; the Lieu' went out with oO Men and
finished Cannoes enough for the Christians.

\'0L. III.

101

802 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

10"" In the morning, I sent 22 Christians and i. Indians over the carrying place (being 20
miles ) for the provision.

11"" In the morning they returned from the carrying place with the bread and of 771"' sent
me by M'' Livinstone, I received no more than SOO bisketts their Cannoe being oversett, and
all their pease wett

12"" This day returned the Messengers I had sent to bring back the Indians runn away,
having found none I sent 21 Men to the carrying place for more provisions.

13"" I sent -5 Indians with 4. Christians downe to the falls to look out.

14"" Being accompanied with only seven Indians we removed to the falls distant 16 miles &
there encamped.

I'S"" The last company that were sent for provisions returned with lUOOlb of bread, and
towards evening came also Lieu' Abraham Schuyler with some Indians, which made up our
number of Indians 62.

16"" Being Thursday, we moved from the falls about noon and pitched our tents in the
narrows of the drowned lands 12 miles distant. Three of our Canoes being broken, I sent 3
Christians & one Indian to the end of the Lake S' Sackraman where our Mohawks are
makeing Cannoes to acquaint them that I will meet them at Chinanderoga

17"' We advanced at Chinanderoga about noon, two hours alter came to us the
Mohawques in number SO which made our compleate number to bee 260 Christians and
Indians ; after noon we fell to making of Cannoes (the Christians having broken two comeing
over the falls and the River Indians also wanting two Cannoes, and abode there the rest of
that day being rainy weather.

18"" Rainy weather we made but one Canoe.

19"" We broke up from Chinanderoga, advanced to the Crowne point 20 miles distant
and about one of the Clock after uoone pitched and send out spyes.

20"" Haveing the winde hard at N. and rain, we continued our seat and sent out IS spyes
in two Cannoes and made 3 Cannoes more.

21" Being stormy, and the vdnd northerly, wee moved not.

22"<^ Hard weather we continued our seat, Mohawques presented me wdth a bundle of
ninety two sticks, meaning their number, twelve of them boys, with the names of the
principal heads: viz' Christagio Laurence, Kanagaragayda, Adoeanoketta, Anoetsendie, &
Kanayediero ; The River Indians did the like in number 66, and the names of their principal
heads were : Eetewapo, Eetowacamo, Wannesackes, & Magatawa. Wee then held a Council
of Warr, how to discover Fort Leprarie and to take a prisoner if possible and concluded to
send out nine Men.

23'''* We sent out nine spyes viz' 3 Christians, three Mohawks and three River Indians,
who advanced from the Crowne point toward Regio, 30 miles distant about four of the
clocke afternoone from the western shoar, they spyed fyeres on the Eastern shore, our whole
force being on their way to follow them, were putt on shoar at the Otter Kill 6 miles distant
the wind rising and blowing hard on our spyes, returned thither to us telling us of the
fires they had seen. We again resolved to send out nine more three of each as formerly,
who went within 50 yards of several fires, but the woods being thick saw nobody, but
concluded by the number of the fires that they might be a considerable army ; upon this
intelligence I sent out three Cannoes to keep strickt watch and to give notice of their
approach and were resolved by the Grace of God to withstand them, but nothing appeared
that night — in the mean time made a small Stone Fort breast high.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VITI. 803

24"' In the morning I sent out 5 Indians by land who discovered a great many fires and
two houses, but found notliing but bones, tlie Indians being removed from thence.
25'^ The wnnde hard northerly, soe we were forced to lye still all that day.
26* We broak up from Otter Kill and advanced 60 miles to a place called Fort Lamotte
several years deserted.

27* We sett out after sunsett and advanced to the mouth of the River Chamblie 10 miles
distant, where our spyes told us they saw somewhat like to the striking of fire with flint and
steel in a Canoe, then we proceeded 12 miles further in the River, and our spyes see another
fire where had been seven houses as neer as they could guess and thirty men ; having passed
this we hauled up ag'' break of day and lay still.

2S"' We sent out our spyes, who saw nothing; ab' 3 in the afternoone we called a Council!
of warr wherein we concluded to fall upon Leprarie ; in the evening we broak up the camp,
sent out 4 spyes, who mett with eight of the Enemys prajang Indians, who called to them and
asked from whence they were, our Indians answered them ; Mohawks, they asked again their
names, our Indians answered them, we need not tell you, whereupon the French Indians fired
and wounded three of them, one thro' the body, another in at the hand and out at the Elbow,
and the third lost one of his fingers being shott thro' the hand ; when we came up to them we
carryed them on shoar, and dressed them and encamped over them that night "within tenn
miles of Fort Shamblie bearing North of us and 26 miles from Leprarie bearing W. S. W.

29"" About tenn of the clock forenoon, wee heard the gunns fire an alarm from Shamblie and
Leprarie ; We made a small Fort to secure our Canoes and provisions, I sent out 50 men three
miles off to the cross Path between Shamblie and Leprarie, which are 30 miles distant from
one another to stop their intercourse, the remainder of the day we spent in finishing our Fort ;
it rained hard all that night.

30* The rain being over by 10 o'clock in the forenoon we left 20 Christians and Indians in
the Fort to secure our Canoes and provisions with our Chirurgeons and wounded Indians and
marched in a body towards Leprarie and after 11 miles march tro' the woods we came to a
path, where a considerable party of men had lately passed, which wee conjectured to have
gone towards Shamblie, there we stopped, and the Indians after consultation, were resolved to
proceed, but I told them it was requisite to send some more Men to secure the Canoes for I
feared the French would cutt them off being well advised of our coming ; I sent back four
Christians and 3 Indians to the Cannoes to acquaint them of our approach to the French, and
to be on their guard ; then marched about 5 miles forward, till we came thro' a marsh and
there encamped within ten miles of Leprarie. We concluded of our sign and word this
night, the sign was a w-hite ribbon or piece of tape or linen or Barke of a Tree upon a lock
of hair, and the word was Tisago (which is courage) Sopus.

August 1" We resolved to fall upon the Fort, by break of day went to prayers and marched
towards Leprarie, and a mile on this side layd downe our baggage, marching over the Come
field till within a quarter a mile of the Fort, then marched along the water side till we came
to the Windmilne within 80 paces of the Fort, on our march we saw a fire upon the land,
and as we approached neer the windmill, the fire was stirred three times to cause a flame,
which we conceived to be their signe to the Forte, when we approached the Windmilne the
miller called, fired and killed one of our Indians, and one of my Christians fired and killed
him attempting a second shott, soe that his body hung half in and half out of the window.
Wee continued our March to storme the Fort but before we came to the Fort, we found a

g04 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

party of Indians under Canoes, whom we engaged and distroyed most of them and
immediately after fell in with 420 Men lying without the Fort ready to receive us, they
charged us so hard to force a retreat of 150 yards, where there happened a ditch, which our
Men posessed themselves of, the French advancing so farr in their full body were well
received, and lost many of their Men, we drove them back but they rallied and advanced a
second time towards the ditch and fired upon us, but did us noe damage, instantly our people
rose up and discharged upon their whole body, & killed a great many ; neverthelesse they
ralyed the third time, but to avoid the ditch, they drove their Men towards the East and
thought to divide our people, then we left the ditch fell into their reer and then in a full body,
ingaged them in the plain ground and faught them fairly, until we drove them into their
Fort in great disorder and took three French prisoners.

Then returned distroying and hurning what we could of their Corne and hay (the
greenesse of the Corne did much hinder the burning of it) unto our baggage. The prisoners
upon examination told us, there were 4G0 Men at Leprarie, 40 in the Fort with the Gov'' and
420 without the Fort ; we asked what Men had marched by the path towards Shamblie they
told 300 French and 40 Indians, whereupon we were resolved with all haste for our Canoes.
In all this engagement we had lost but one Christian and one Indian and two Christians and
one Indiair more runn away towards our Canoes; one Christian and the Indian escaped, the
other Christian was taken. We had not marched eight miles until our spyes see the Enemy
lying upon the aforesaid path in a halfe moon, the Enemys scouts fires upon ours who returned
to give us notice of the Enemy and received no harme ; immediately we dismounted our
baggage, I encouraged my Men, and told them there was no other choice, fight or dye they
must, the Enemy being between us and our Canoes. We advanced briskly upon them and
received their full volly of shott (which killed most of the Men we lost this expedition) they
fought stoutly one whole hour ; a French Capt" hearing me encourage our Men to fight for the
honour of our King and the Protestant Religion, said aloud, I am here ready to answer you,
but our Men being resolute, fell in upon tiiem, broke thro' the middle of their body, until we
got into their reere trampling upon their dead, then faced about upon them and faught them a
pretty while close, until we made them give way, then drove them by strength of arm 400
paces before us, and to say the truth we were all glad to see tliein retreate. After this we
marched in good order without disturbance towards our Canoes, taking our wounded Men
along with us. In the last fight, the Enemy had got our word by one of the three men that
runn away from us, this they improved much to their own advantage, several of our Men in
the heat of the fight gott into the body of the French ; by reason of the same upon the
approach of the Enemy the last engagement the three French prisoners we had taken at
Leprarie attempting to escape were knocked in the head by our Indians. We took a French
Indian prisoner who gave an account of 460 at Leprarie engaged us and that there were 300
French and 40 Indians had engaged us in the woods. I examined him further about Canida,
he told us of 30 ships arrived in each ship tenn souldiers, and abundance of provision.

Having come at our Canoes we imbarqued and passed the River where we tarryed 5 hours
for straggling Men that came after, in whicli time five of our Men came to the water side and
were brought over, and so soon as it was darke we advanced homewards one mile and
encamped.

August the 2""* We took our march homewards and found 5 Elks in the way. which refreshed
our whole company.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 805

9"' We arrived at Albany with all our wounded Men.

The French knew of our comeing 14 dayes before by an Indian a Mohawq that deserted a
party of 15 Mohawques from the River of Shamblie who could tell them our number, strength,
OiKcers names ettc.

They had also taken a prisoner one Cornelius Clutie at Canastaguijone a place 12 miles
distant from Albany who told them of onr comeing being in Canida a fortnight before us.
C Christians 120 j
Our number was J Mohawques 80 V 266.

( R. Indians. 66 j
We lost in the expedition 21. Christians 16. Mohaques 6 River Indians & the wounded in
all 2-5.

Soli Deo Laus et Gloria.

Memorandum: Since the first date of this .Journal 6 Christians and Indians thought to be
killed are returned.

Thought by all to have killed about 200 French and Indians.

a true Copj- — M. Clakksox Secretary.

Propositio7JS of the Seneca-s and Mohawhs at Albany aiul the Answer thereunto.

[New- York Papers, III. B. 40.]

Propositions made by y* Sinnekes of y° Castle of Kahesarabera on the 4"" of
Sepf" 1691 att Albany - . - ,/.

Present — Dirk Wessell Egbert Thuenson

Evert Banker Capt : Shanks

Jan Janse Bleecker Capt: Bradshaw
Gerr' Ryerte Sherifi'

Names of if SenncJces Sachiins

Karajawagen Ondisackton

Hanadodon Kaywackgonny

Tiachguaren Nezandaqualtho

Oncydcs Sarlumx
Kanoss Adurhoen Tirrachokoes

MnqvdS Sachiins.

Tananguriss Diswaydorre

Isquadegoe Ocquarriochke.

800 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

I''* Brothers wee are come hitlier to accjUiiinte you y' wee are a nation dispersed and scattered
liy y' French as far as Ondage but I was a lover of our Tovvnie Inheritance and keep possession
there still.

Presented G Racoons.

ondiy j,^ (jyj. March hither wee understood by y* way y' y* Maj : had been in an engagement
with y"' French of Canada wherein lies and y" Maquas have had some loss wee do hereby
propitiate y*^ blood of the defeated

Present 3 Otters

grdiy Wee have been dispersed wee understand y' nevertheless y' house hath always been
kept clean here we come to maintaine y* same

Presented 4 Otters.

4tiiiy Wee are glad y' y"" Tree of Prosperity W' is placed in this Goverm' is still in a good
state wee come also to coufirme y"" same

Presented 5 Beavers.

5tiiiy Wee sett y" roots off very firme and stable as farr as y*" bounds of this Goverm' to our
Castle and through y"" whole house

Presented -5 Otters.

(jthiy Wee have assisted to y* planting of this tree and in itts taking firme root. Wee make
now y' itt bears leaves y' wee may safely shelter under y' same

Presented 5 Lapps

7thiy Wee are taught by our Forefathers y' wee should faithfully maintaine y* covenant
which y* whole house and if any might fails or varie wee should give y™ a draught of
nnderstanding

Presented 5 Beavers

gttiy Wee have always from y* beginning been in a firm covenant w"" this Goverm'. Itts
true there have been some y' proved unstable but we revive and illuminate y^ same againe
as y* sun to y^ day.

Presented 5 Beavers

gthiy Wee have alwaies been in a firm Coven' with this goverm' there have been some itts
true y' have interposed therein y' itt might happen that some of the enemy should gett y'
better over us lett us nevertheless firmly maintaine the chaine of our covenant.

Presented 5 Otters

10">'y We are informed although wee have not been here in a long time y' since y*" warr
you have made y" baggs of powder very small what is it Brothers if you doe make them so
small in soe heavy a warr those of Virginia Maryland & New England have engaged
themselves in our Covenant but hear nothing from them. Take a way y' wee gett more
powder for a beaver

Presented 10 Beavers.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 807

ll>wy Wee must tell you and wee have therefore brought upp the Maquas w"' us to reprove
and chide you together ; what is you doe itt seems as if you are druuke iu yo'' understandings
y' you and y" Maquas should goe to tight with such small parties y' is not the way to overcome
y^ enneniy you break what was concluded

Presented 5 Beavers.

12''' I say that Yo'' loss proceeds because you goe with such small parties to tight wee are
strong enough. Those of Virginia, Maryland, and New England are likewise entered in our
covenant where doe they stay lett them continue firme and alsoe come y' wee may joyntly
ruine y* enemy. Itt is Yo'' fault soe much blood was spilt because you goe out iu small parties
therefore lett us goe joyntly then wee sliall better overcome y"" enemy

Presented 10 Ditto.

After the Propositions of the Sennekes the Mohawks began their speech
Sononsqueriss being Speaker

1" Brothers, Our Brethren the Sennekes have chidd us for going to fight in such small
parties and I judge they have reason for itt : The Governi' y' came lately from England has
undertaken to goe out with soe small force and those y' have now spoken have had never any
notice given them of itt.

Presented 1 Lapp

2. Brothers you were in so great hast to goe out with soe small an expedition as our
Brothers y* Sennekes have reported and you did not thinke at all first to reconcile y" blood of
y'' Oneyders

Presented 1 Lapp.

3. Brothers although wee and y* Oneyders have had some loss lett us not thereibre loose our
courage but lett all of us y' are in this Covenant viz : this Government New England Virginia
and Maryland have a good courage and jointly doe all possible mischeefe to our enemies

Presented 1 Lapp.

Answer upon y* propositions of y' Senekees

Brothers, Wee have been sorry y' you have been driven and disperst out of yo'^ land by y'
French but wee are glad to hear y' you are still lovers of yo'' owne Countrey and y' you have
taken possession there againe Wee rejoice likewise y' you come to renew the remembrance
of y' Tree of Prosperitye and y" Covenant wberin we are all soe firmly bound by a strong
chaine Our Forefathers in former tyme made this Covenant and have planted here y' great
Tree y' now stands soe firm and w'^'' spreades its root to avast distance. Lett our enemy come
hee may shake this tree or ripp a limb from, but he is however not able to rout him out.

Concerning y' complaint of y^ Powder y' y^ Baggs were soe small and soe little given for a
Beaver you must know y' itt is none of our fault but itt proceeds from y' great warr between
y* Great Kings beyond Sea in w-^*" much powder and ammunition is expended besides y*
Shipps w"" merchandize cannot soe frequently and without danger pass y* Sea in warr as in
peace.

808 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Wee are much astoiiish'd y' y^ Brethren should accuse us of imprudence as if wee were in
drinke in o' understandings for having gone out -w"* such small parties whereby you say that
wee should be the occasion of y^ blood y' is spilt: I doe admire y' yo"' memory is soe short doe
not you kuow nor remember y' y'^ Goverm' this sumer made a gen' resolution w"" all the 5
Nations y' y^ Christians with sixty men and y= Mohawks and River Indians should march upp
from this Court and y' y'' other 4 nations should come downe Cadaracqui River and to meet
all above Laprade Magdelena and then joyntly to invade the enemies Countrey. Insted of 60
men which y'= Gov"" had promised hee enforced them to the number of 120 and besides y' fitted
out some shipps to damnific and spoile y*^ French at Sea of which one is already returned w""
a French Prize laden w"' wine and Brandy, But left us inquire how little y« rest of y* house
has performed this promise of y* 4 nations w"^"" were to come down to Cadaraqui River not one
appeared and you INIaquas of Onondage y' were to march upp w"" y" Maj'' did most of you stay
att home & 16 or 17 Mohawk of y' 1" Castle left y* Maj'' from all this you plainly see where
is y^ occasion of y^ effusion of this blood but wee hope y' y* Brethren for y* future will take
better care in matters of soe great consequence and not soe slightly impute y^ fault to others.

Answer to y" Mohawks.

Wee doe allsoe admire y' our brethren y« Mohawks should say we were in such great haste
to proceed. Wee thiuke there was time enough spent in itt being above 30 dayes the
Provisions were almost spent and necessitated to fetch more and wee sent twice to y"
Brethren to make all possible haste because y' barke would not in a short time peel off from
the trees ; but instead y' y" Jenondages should come down with 17 men to joyne w* y' army
according to their promise, they went all to Ongeda. As concerning what you say y' wee
should first have reconciled the blood of y" defeated, Itt is not our custome to stopp a gen"
resolution for y'' loss of some dead. Its true wee are sorry of our men and yo" y' were slaine
by y' enemy but wee must thinke y' this y"= effect of warr our enemy has not escaped but hath
lost a great many men left us therefore have y^ same courage to comitt all possible spoile &
mischief upon our gen" enemy

Propositions of the Sennekes to the Mahekanders that came last year from Ottova
made in y'' Court House at Albany y 2"'' of September 1691.

1»' Wee are sorry ciiildreu that you have lost a great many men y" last year as well by y'
mortallity of y^ small pox as otherwise. Wee reconcile y*' loss of y' blood.

ondiy -^Yge thanke you for the person you have brough[t] from y"" countrey

3rdiy -^gp thank you y' you bewailed us in your march for being driven and dispersed by
y"" French Governors and for recomending to us y' wee should not leave our land.

4thiy And for recommending to us likewise y' wee should still keep our fires burning and y'
wee should convene y" Sachims & keep Councill as formerly.

5''' Cousens you have also recomeuded to us to continue the warr against y^ French, we
doe soe.

6'y Cousen you have told us moreover y' wee should not goe in a small parties against y^
Waganis' Indians but to keep ourselves in a posture to resist y'' French. Wee doe soe likewise

' i. p. Dra'a</(ui<(,.!, or UttiiwaE. Coldni's Fi«c N^iUions, H, lOS. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 809

7'Wy Cousen you have said that y^ mountaine should remaiue the mountaine and he doth
soe continue to bee y" mountaine still (meaning y" Sinnekes Countrie) You have promised to
come w"' us againe and therefore wee expect you to come to the mountaine againe.

To the Shackhok.es & Mahakanders in generall

Brothers and Cousens you live also under this Goverm' use Yo"" utmost endeavours y' the
Tree remaine firme and that the covenant may bee well kept:

This is a true copy of w' Cap" W" Markham Secretary of Pensylvania sent to

FFR. Nicholson:

MeTuorial in helialf of Leisler'.s Adherents imprisoned in Neio-YorK

[TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.]
[New-Tork Papers, HI. A. 24.]

Memoir and Relation of what occurred in the city and province of New- York in
America, in the years 1690 and 1691, which the relatives and agents of
the good people of that city, residing in Holland, have been requested to
communicate in a most humble address by all possible means, to their
Majesties of Great Britain, protectors and defenders of the faith.

After the good people of New-York and all that part had advice that, by a special grace of
God, their Majesties, King William and Queen Mary, were established in the government of
Great Britain, the said good people, especially the Captains and Burghers, who were well
affected and disposed to the said government and the true reformed religion, resolved to submit
themselves to their Majesties in all obedience, and to hazard their lives, blood and property
for the maintenance of the said Protestant religion: and seeing that the Lieutenant Governor,
Francis Nicholson, neglected to repair or preserve the fortifications of the city and its fortress,
and took no care for the maintenance of the said good subjects; on the contrary, that they
were greatly suspected, and that he supported the adverse party, and that the French enemies
were already preparing to attack them —

The said well affected, among the military, civilians and Burghers, remonstrated against
all these things, that they may be communicated to their Majesties and their council, and
formed a committee to nominate and provisionally to choose the person of Jacob Leisler, an
honest man, to be temporarily commander of said fortress, and administrator of justice with
the heads of the civil government or the court, and to uphold the rights of said royal
government and its preservation.

To this effect the said committee despatclied to the said Jacob Leisler on the 2Sth June,
1689, an order and commission for the above mentioned purpose, a copy whei-eof is hereunto
annexed.

The said Jacob Leisler was persuaded to accept the said order and commission provisionally,
and demeaned himself as an honest and brave man, having not only performed every possible
duty, and contributed considerably of his own money and credit to fortify said city and its'
Vol. in. 102

810 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

dependencies, but also to prepare and despatch, with the consent of the court and its members,
a frigate mounted with cannon and other necessary munitions, and two barks to resist the
French enemy on the river, which, with great success, made the important capture of seven of
the enemy's vessels or ships, which said court declared lawful prize.

The said Leisler had also a good understanding with the mayor, aldermen, captains,
Burghers and common people of that city and other parts of that province, and preserved, to
the utmost of his power, the natives of said country, who have for a long time been very
numerous and in good alliance with the christians.

Tiieir Majesties, having been informed of the said remonstrance touching the constitution
of said province and city of New-York, caused a commission to be despatched on the 20th
July, 1689, signed by his Majesty's order, by his lordship, the Earl of Nottingham, with a
superscription and address — To the said Lieutenant Commander Nicholson in his said quality,
and in his absence to those who liad charge of the preservation of the said province and the
common weal. — as the annexed copy proves.

For the good services which said Leisler had already rendered during his administration
for the preservation of said province, city and fortress (though the malcontents opposed
him and formed dangerous cabals, some of whom were seized by the council of the said court
and committee), said committee and the well affected to said royal government deemed it
proper still to continue said Jacob Leisler as provisional administrator, and to place his
Majesty's said commission in his hands until their Majesties had ordered and sent out another
governor.

Their Majesties afterwards connnissioned Colonel Sloughter as Governor-in-Chief of the
province of New-York.

But before the said Governor's arrival, a certain captain, named Richard Ligoldsby, who, it is
said, had been previously a major in Ireland, came on the 2Sth of January of this year, 1G91,
before the city of New- York with about seventy military or soldiers and four ships, without
people being able to ascertain whether they were enemies or neutrals, because lie would not
publish his commission.

The said Captaiii Ingoldsby sent a messenger to said Commander Jacob Leisler, as letters
and affidavits represent, with a simple letter, by which he demanded possession of said fortress,
without sending any power, order or substitution, either of their Majesty or of the said
Governor.

The said Leisler and those of his council fearing that it was a traitorous trick, answered,
that as soon as said Captain Ingoldsby produced some power or order, they would incontinently
surrender the said fortress without any opposition ; and said licisler even offered that his
house was at said Captain Ingoldsby's service, and that he should have said soldiers lodged
among the citizens until the Governor's arrival, and until they could see his Majesty's orders.

The said Captain Ingoldsby persisted with threats in his demand to have possession of the

said fortress, whilst the demand for the re([uisite orders and authority was each time renewed.

The said captain thereu[)on sent people or soldiers to Long Island to raise men, which was,

however, unattended with any success, the said captain being unwilling in the meanwhile to

budge from his ship, or put a foot on shore on the said offers made him.

But some days afterwards he made other applications for the surrender of the City Hall,
which was finally given up to him (according to the said aflidavits) by the advice of the
^ mayor, aldermen, and military officers of said city, on the condition and promise that the said
captain should not obstruct the Burgher's guard of said city nor of the civil court.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. Sll

Now, having obtained said possession, the said Ingoldsby did not keep liis word ; on tlie
contrary, he did obstruct the said guard of the court and city, and used Ibrce and opposition
which caused great disorders for more than a month.

The said Governor Sloughter having arrived, he (according to the annexed report and
informations transmitted in the English language) took the opposite side to Commandant
Jacob Leisler, as if the latter had contravened and opposed His Majesty's orders, and his, as
Governor; though the said Commandant Leisler did nothing but by the advice of said
committee and its members', not having had, nor having been able to obtain any communication
from the said captain of the orders or commission from their Majesties or from Colonel
Sloughter; on the contrary, he offered several times to surrender the fortress on seeing the
orders, without awaiting any force or violence.

But as soon as the said Jacob Leisler received the news of said Colonel and Governor
Sloughter's arrival, he forthwith deputed and sent two persons, to wit, Mr. Milborne and Major
Peter de La Noy to welcome and receive him on his part, causing them to be escorted
by twelve soldiers.

Governor Sloughter, instead of receiving and hearing them, caused them to be immediately
taken to the CityHall and cast into prison, to their great shame and dishonor.

And the next day, the said fortress having been surrendered and delivered up by the said
commandant Leisler to the said Governor, the said Leisler also exhibited the said commissions
he had received provisonaliy from the said Committee for the preservation of the said city
and fortress, according to tlie intentions of their Majesties' said well affected subjects.

But the the said Governor would not listen to the said Leisler, but had him also made
prisoner and removed to the City Hall, having accused him of treason and other crimes.

And the said Governor (according to the said testimony) also imprisoned several other well
affected persons belonging to the same party, to wit:

Gerrard Beekman, Isaac Vermeelye, Meyndert Coerten, Abraham Brasier, Thomas Wilhams,
Abraham Gouverneur, and Samuel Etsel, all honest men, making, together, ten persons, all
esteemed honorable people ; and whom the affidavits represent as having been zealous for the
public safety, and that the said Leisler presented a petition to the said Governor, a copy
whereof is adjoined. . .

And whereas the said Governor prosecuted the said prisoners, accusing them all as criminals,
rebels and resisters of his orders (which were not yet exhibited) ; and recalled the malcontents,
who had been broken and dismissed on accomit of their malignity and support of Kmg James

party. ^

And it is notorious that he admitted these people of his council, and named them, so far
their personal enemies, as Judges of said prisoners.

And he selected and took some officers from the said ships, who condemned said Leisler
and said Milborne, his wife's son-in-law, to be hanged.

And detained the others prisoners, and the execution of the two condemned, moreover,
followed, and they died very ignominiously.

All these proceedings took place to the great displeasure and grief of their Majesties said
good and well affected subjects; who, well-intentioned, made great efibrts for the staying of

■ The text is-"Quoy que le dit Commandant Leisler n'avoit rien fait que le cadoU du dit Committe" &o. The word in
Italics is unintelligible. It might have been intended for "cadroit," or "Vadvis." The translation is based on the latter
supposition. — Ed.

812 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the execution of said Leisler and his son-iu-law, and for tlieir removal to England to be
judged by their Majesties.

Having prepared a petition, which was signed b}- more than eighteen hundred persons, and
presented by a minister of the Word of God, wliom the governor caused also to be imprisoned
accusing him likewise of being a rebel.

And all these proceedings excite great consternation amongst the good subjects, and put
them in danger of being exposed to the persecutionof their enemies, and of losing the whole of
said province, and even of being attacked by the natives, [who] according to the informations,
had declared they would revenge tiie said commander, Leisler, having approved his defence.

On this account, and for the other excesses and extravagances which the good subjects must
suffer from said governor, tlie said governor having revoked and disallowed the capture of tlie
French ships and the judgment of the court, pursuant to which the vessels Imd been sold ;
and having, on the contrary, caused the purchasers to be ordered to return the money and the
proportion of a sum that they were taxed, which augments considerably the discontent of
worthy men.

Their Majesties are most humbly and with all submission supplicated, in the great extremity
to which their poor subjects in New-York are reduced, to compassionate them, and send them
as soon as possible the succor necessary for their safety.

And that it may please their Majesties to stay all proceedings against said imprisoned
persons, so that they may be provisionally liberated, at least on bail, until their Majesties shall
be fully informed of all these matters, which they will then be able to dispose of according to
equity.

At the Hague, the 15th October, 1691.

(Was signed ) Willem Van Breen,

JoH : Pkovoost,
Jacob Mauritz,
Jacob Willems,
John Thomas.

Commander-in-Cliief and the Council to Lord Nottingham.

[ New-Tork Papers, UI. A. 13. ]

My Lord,

Since our last per our fleet who sailed in August we have taken effectual care to secure the
peace of tlie government under our charge and alsoe have prevailed with our Assembly to raise
and pay 150 men for the reinforcement of Our frontiers at Albany. All the applications made
to our neighbours in Virginia, Maryland, New England &■= being to no effect the latter having
noe reguard at all to their Ma'^" service but pursue their disorderly affections to a lycentious
Trade against law and suffer by their neglect and incapacity the French and Lidians to make
daily excursions upon them to the great distruction of the subjects. That if their Ma''" doe
not take speedy care to protect them that great Countrey and people will certainly goe to mine.

My Lord this small Covernment is so advantageously seated that if their Ma'*'' were pleased
to be thougiitfull of tlie former addresses sent and reunite these Colonyes of East and West

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. ' 813

Jersey and Connecticut, formerly disjoynted from this Government, we sliould be sufficiently
able to support ourselves and make incursions upon the French to their hurt, but as now
circumstanced not able to bear the burthen upon us the late disorders having so harrassed our
people that they are not capable to defray the necessary expence for the security of the place
tho' our being annexed to Boston as formerly in the late Keign would [be] on the other hand
of as bad consequence by reason of the vast extent of such a dominion and many other
inconveniencies; however I shall not faile to be watchfuU and keep the Government in a
suitable posture of defence and attend every thing necessary for their Ma">" service as for the
expedicon to Canida I referr yo"" Lop to the Journal herewith sent, we begg Yo"' Lqp' care in
forwarding what may be for their Ma'>" Interest in this poor Province, and subscribe ourselves,

INIay it please Yo'' Lo?
Fort William Henry, Yo'' Lo?'* most humble Servants

S'h of January 1691. Kk^h'' Ingoldesby

Fredryck Flypse
j. v. cortlandt
"W. Baijard
. - g. munvielle

Chid. Brooke
M. Clarkson See ^ ■ W. Nicolls.

Postscript,

Since the writing of the above Lre arrived here the Albany Post, the Copy of what news
we have is herewith sent to W Blaithwayt, whereby Yo^ Lo? may the better understand the
condicon of that Garrison and of the whole Colony

Comniander-in-CTiief and the Council to Mr. Blatlmayt.

[New-York Entry, II. 309.]

New York S"' Jau^^ 1691.

Sir

In our last by the small Fleet that went home in August we gave their Ma"" the Lords of
the Committee and your self a particular Acc« of the State of this Province at that time the
copy whereof we now herewith send you, since w-^i- the Assembly mett according to their
adjournment and finding that we could not depend upon any assistance from our Neighbours
did agree that 150 men should be raised for y<= reinforcement of Albany the greatest part
whereof are well there the River being frozen before those of the Eastern Parts could come,
there are about fourteen or fifteen men left behind but do hope there is a sufficient strength at
that place to secure it and defeat any desigues of the Enemy our Neighbours of N England have
upon all occasions shewn themselves very averse to any [thing] that hath been proposed to them
for their Ma"« service and particularly Connecticutt who denyed to give us liberty to raise one
hundred men for the security of Albany tho' we promised to pay them, and their confusions
are so great that the French do dayly gain upon them having lately retaken Port Uoyall and

814 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

destroyed sevcrall people at Piscatn(|iia the Pressures of this poor Province are so great and
they so unable to support the necessary charge, that if not favoured by having the Government
enlarged according to the former addresses sent their Ma"*^' must likewise sink under its burthen
there being little or noe Trade that the Incomes of the Revenue are very small and our
Neighbours do Trafique so licentiously that they do not regard the Acts of Trade nor the
Laws of Nations but Trade directly for France, that if their Ma"^= do not order a speedy
Settlement under the Crown all this Continent will be in danger to be lost. We do now
transmitt the acts made in the last assembly to which referr You all things being quiett, Our
being annexed to Boston as formerly in the late Reign would be of bad consequence by reason
of the vast extent of the Dominion & many other inconveniences, great murmurings were
amongst those that were followers of Leisler and disaU'ected to their Majesties Government but
effectual care is taken to suppress them, and secure the Peace of the Government ; Our Indians
continue steady to us. S'' We depend upon your care in forwarding what may be for their
Ma"*"' Interest in this poor Province & Remain S''

Your most humble Serv'*

Rich"* I.xgoldsby
Fred Flypse
s v^ cortlandt
NiCH Bayard

T MiNIVELLE

Chid. Brook

W. NiCOLLS

M Clarkson Secretary
Postscript

Since the writing of this Letter arrived the Land Post from Albany the Condicion of that
Garrison & the great Charge & Difficulty this poor province doth groan tmder will sufficiently
appear bj' the Lre sent from the officers there a true Copy whereof is herewith enclosed.

The Civil and Military Officers at Albany to the Coyyimander-i'nrCliief.

[New- York Papers, HI. A. 14.]

Albany 30"' Dec-- 1691
May it please Your Honour,

We would ere now have sent the Post to acquaint yo"- Honour of affairs here but expected
daily news from the Upper Nations what their 700 men had done who are gone towards the
River of Cadaracqui. We hope they will have better successe than our Maquaes have had
lately at Canida, three Oneydos came from the Army about a month agoe they lay then on the
side of the Cadaracqui, doe say that 200 Onnondages and 100 Cajouges parted from the other
400 and went down the River of Cadaracqui with a design to fall upon the praying Indians
now this moon while the nights are dark hut what the other 400 will doe is uncertaine.

We have no other account from the Upper Nations, no Onnondages being come hither. We
have three Christians in that Castle who will give us an account when any Indians come.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 815

We are extremely grieved for the losse of the brave Maquae Indians now at Canida
Caristasie was out with 9 Indians who liad taken 4 French Boys and an Indian Squae neer
Prarie and coming home met with Cakarij Janondakke and some of the principall Captains
of the Maquaes and Oneydos 29 in number who designed to be revenged for the blood shedd
by the French when Major f?chyler was there and persuaded Caristasie and his son to turn
back and goe with them, these 31 whereof 20 were Maquaes and 11 Oneydos goe 9 miles
below Shamblie and finde 2 houses in the Mountains where there was 13 praying Indians with
their Wives and Children out a hunting, they fall upon them, kill 4 men, take 6 men and 10
women prisoners and I'elieved 2 Christian boys that were taken at Schennectady with the losse
of one Oneyde dead and 2 wounded, whereof one was forced to be carryed. Three men of
the Enemy made their escape and went to the French and told the news ; Our Indians took
their march homewards and when they had been five dayes by the way and come towards the
middle of the lake where Corlaer was drowned, somewhat in the woods they perceived the
Enemyes tract being a deep snow and cutt trees like a penn for their security and sent out
three Indians in the morning to spy where the Enemy was, who came back, and see none but
many tracts they resolved to proceed on their march Caristasie leaves 4 Indians in the
Keere and Cakarij led the Van about 9 oclock the French and Indians fall upon them and a
sharp dispute followed but the Enemy being much the stronger being all sorts French North
Indians and Praying Indians got the day, killd the whole party none escaping but the 4 that
were in the reere 2 whereof came here the 6"" of December but they only had heard the fight
and told that they believe all the party was distroyed except the 2 that were in the reere and
S days afterwards the other 2 arrived who had seen all the fight being hidd behinde a rock,
the French and Indians were numerous that sett upon them soe that none could well escape
yet they fought to the last man, only 3 taken prisoners whom the 2 last Indians had heard
sing they went to the place after the fight and told 15 of our Indians dead and the scalps taken
oft"; the French had made 4 great fires where they had burnt their dead and thus all the
principall Captains of those 2 Nations the Maquaes and the Oneydos are killed to the great greife
of us all [&] the losse of the Indians. We have not one leading man of these Castles that we can
depend upon, they were men of courage and conduct in their way, they dyed valiantly for
when all their powder and shott was spent they denied to yield themselves prisoners. Yo'
Hono"' may judge in what consternacon this brought all our Indians the news we sent
immediately to the 5 nations the 4 Indians that brought us the tydings came naked home
whom we clothed for their encouragement as soon as the first two Indians came in we sent
Akus his sonn and another towards the lake for Skouts and to know what was become of our
Indians, who returned in 6 days having seen the tract of the two last Indians comeing heither,
which they followed and came home both in one day, we have endeavoured since to gett
other Skouts and with much adoe gott 4 Schackhook Indians to goe as far as Dionondoroge 4
miles on this side of the crown point which is the beginning of Corlaers Lake 39 leagues from
hence but we cannot much depend upon them and Christians are not to be had without money
they will not stir a foot except some particular men engage for their payment and we are so
bare of money that we cannot doe those things which are requisite and necessary for the
safety of the Kings Interest here and noe order for any body to disburse it to secure them to
be repayd again. The Maquas are very loath to goe out upon any occasion this great losse
of their men hath struck such a terrour in them that they are quite out of heart they have
reckoned up this night that the Maquas and Oneydos have lost 90 men in 2 years time. All
the 3 Maquaes Castles can make but 130 men, it will be extreamly needful to condole the

816 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

death of those Indians now killed by giving their friends a present of 1000 or 1200 gilders in
white strung wampum to wipe off their tears. This we offer to Yo'' Honour's consideracon as
a business of no mean concern, most of our praying Indians are now killd, 15 we have lost
this summer whom we could most confide in. Those 4 Indians tliat have come off say that
they have examined the prisoners which they took in Canida and especially our 2 Christian
boys who say that the French are making all preparacons imaginable to come here as soon as
the yce was strong. We are vigilant and careful and keep good watch with those few men
we have, we are in hopes that the compliment would have been made up of the 250 men
raised by the Assembly but there is above 70 men wanting. We had a meeting of all the
Commicon Officers the 23"''' instant where it was concluded what post every Officer and soldier
should repair to in the time of Alarm and the word and sign concluded upon and all sworn to
the secresy of the same till there be occacon to divulge it. It was also thought convenient to
send for the River Indians from below to come up and ly at the Mill or the flatts. Capt:
Wessells went to acquaint them of it. The Indians at Kinderhook about 19 [17] men came up
the other about Katskill are now going to be sent for, it is also thought convenient to send
for the Maquaes with their Wives and Children to ly at Schennectady and about this place but
have no answer from the Maquaes as yett being dispersed in the woods a hunting ; the
Schackhook Indians are most all gone out a hunting afarr off and therefore can expect noe
assistance from them this season. We have viewed the fusileers' arms find most of them to
want swords, have desired ftP Livingston to cause make hatchetts and spears or launces for
them in lieu of swordes and also spunges and ladles for the guns in the blockhouses and
many other incident charges that happen daily which we hope Yo"" Honour will order to be
paid out of the tax ; there are so many things wanting that we are grieved to think of it, not
knowing how he shall be reimbursed that should supply them, it is necessary that some men
should be sent to strengthen the Fort, Capt: Shankes has cleered a room for y* reception of
40 men but we cannot well spare so many and if we had the men there is bedding wanting all
which cannot be done without charge, this is in short our present condition we wish it were
better, but however with the help of God we hope to be prepared for the enemy when they
come, and if they do not surprize us we feare them not, if we have but a days warning we
hope to receive them soe that they will be loath to venture the like journey. Wee are
designed to gett 50 men of the Farmers here in Towne 25 out of Capt: Gerritson's Company
and 25 out of Capt. Teunisen's Comp" if the enemy come it will be in a month or 5 weeks
time. We are busy in making another Blockhouse at the Strand behind Albert Rickman's
which gives us our hands full the not coming of the provisions by water has occaconed some
inconveniency to our Commissary but we are going about to help them up We shall [not] be
wanting to doe our endeavours each in oiu- station according to our capacity for the publick
safety, so wishing Yo"" Hon'' a Happy new Year

We remain

Hon'^"^ Sir

Yo'' most obedient Servants
M. Shanke
Geo. Bradshaw
PiETER Schuyler
A true Copy John. Tuder

M. Claukson Sec^ Dirck Wessells

The Scribe prays to be excused the ink freezing in y' pen

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 817

L. V. Schaich and Dirh Wess-ells to the Sjmilcei- of the A-s-semUy.

[New- York Papers, III. C. 20.]

xM'' Speaker,

Wee have received Yours from tlie S"^ of S'""" and O"- of O^^^er ;„ ^yliich amongst other
news wee understood the French their success at tiie Eastward since vvliich tliej- have likewise
proved fortunate in killing and taking our best Indians of the Mohaks and Oneydes who being
gone to Canada 30 in number in three several partyes and before they came there accidentally
joyned all in one body and made their attack with good success about Sorell upon the French
Mohaks that was a hunting killing 5 of them relieved two young men of our Christians that
was taken at Shouhegtade and took 15 men prisoners having no more than one of them killed
and one wounded and when they came about the place in the lake where Carler was drowned
they found in the morning by some tracts in the snow that they was pursued whereupon they
left 4 men as a guard behinde them and marched on with their prisoners a little while these 4
men behinde heard that there was fighting before 2 of them made their escape and came here
tenn dayes after the figiit the 2 other seing the French and their Indians being too many for
ours hidd themselves in the woods and came at Shonegtade a week after the other 2, they
relate that having none or little cloatlis because they had thrown all from them that they was
resolved to go and see what was become of their friends and if they could gett some cloathes
or else that they would runn over to the enemy for they was in fear to be starved by the way,
coming upon the place of fight they found that our Indians had been busy in making of a brest-
\vork where they was attackt and found 15 of ours dead upon the place and their scalps taken
oft' of which number was the chief Sacham of Trenondoge Caristasie w'ith his son lanodathe
liis brother Kaakhare the brother of Jannetie and Wannegreo a Capt : of good courage
amongst them and severall other the best Indians very well known amongst us they say
likewise that they heard three of our Indians sing when they was taken prisoners ; and found
no more than one track of a boy that had made his escape who doubtless dyed by they way,
they likewise found four great fires burning wherein the Ennemy had thrown in those that was
killed of their side they relate likewise that the prisoners told them that the French intended
to come with an army as soon as the ice was strong and heard the two Christian boys say that
there was a great number of Eastern Indians at Canada and great preparations made we doubt
not but they are upon some designe We have sent for the Mohacks with their wives and
children and promised for each Castle 100 Schiple of Indian Corn, Lodging and Firewood the
Schagtihoke Indians are all gone out a hunting except 10 or 12 and will not return before the
spring, there is yett 5 or 6 hundred Indians of the Siunicans else gone out to Canada from
whence some dayes agoe came here an Indian said that the army was between the River
Onondage and Cadaragquet that they wear making of snow shoes and intendeth to make their
attack about the latter end of December this may likewise prove unsuccessfull by the
Intelligence the enemy will gett of our prisoners lately taken we heard by the way of New
England that the French of Port Royall hath taken three Vessels from New London it is a
great shame for us all that such a handfull of men in comparison with the severall joyn in the
North America and our Indians make so much resistance & offences to the English Interest.
Wee hope that speedy orders may come from England to the several goverm" here for joyning
together to abate the courage of our enemy else if this warr continues with us as formerly
most of our Inhabitants here will of necessity desert this place for they have no revenew and
Vol. IIL 103

818 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

a great burthen upon them tliey are sould and must for a great share maintaine them, the
provisions for tiie Soldiers allowed is but little and very bad bedding they brought none or very
little the defect of which of necessity must be supplyed by the Inhabitants : We are now
busy about the 315=£ our proportion in the 2 Taxes there is a great noyse about it, we could
wish it was already collected. We have for the present to add no more than our humble
service to the Commander in Chief and our assurance that we remaine

Your Ettectionate freinds and
Servants

Dirk Wessells
l. v. schaick.

Iiistniction-s to Benjamin Fletcliei\ Esqiiire^ Governor of JVew-Yorh

[ Xew-Tork F.nlry, U. 340. ]

Instructions for our Trusty and welbeloved Benjamin Fletcher Esq'' our Capt"
Gen" and Governor and Chief in @ over our Province of New Y'' & the
Territories Depending thereon in America

With these our Institictions you will receive our Commission under Our Great Seal of
England Constituting you our Capt" Gen" and Governor in Chief of our Province of New
York and the Territories depending thereon in America

You are hereupon to fitt yourself with all Convenient Speed to repair to our Province of
New York in America and being arrived there you are to take upon you the Execution of the
Place and Trust we have reposed in you and forthwith to call together the Members of that
Councill for that Province by Name Joseph Dudley, Frederick Flypson, Stephen Cortlandt,
Nicholas Bayard, Will Smith, Gabrielle Mienvielle, Chidley Brook, William Nicolls, Thomas
Willett, William Pinhorne, Thomas Johnson, Peter Schuler, John Lawrence, Richard Townly,
and John Young Esq"

You are with all due and usual Solemnity to cause our said Commission under our Great
Seal of England constituting you our Capt" Generall and Governor in Chief as aforesaid to be
Published in our s** Province

You are also to administer unto each of the members of the Councill as well the Oaths
appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of y' oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy
as also the Test as the oath for the due execution of their Places & Trust

You are to comnumicate unto our said Councill from time to time each and so many of our
Instructions as you shall find convenient for our Service to be imparted unto them

And you are to permitt the members of our Councill lo have and enjoy Freedom of Debate
& vote in all things to be debated of in Councill

And alltho' by our Commission aforesaid, We have thought fitt to direct that any three of
our Councillors make a Quorum. It is nevertheless our Will and Pleasure that you do not act
with a Quorum of less than five Members except in case of Necessity

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 819

And that we may be aUvaies informed of the >'aniesi of Persons fitt to supply the \'acancys
of GUI- Councill in New York. You are to tran.smitt unto Us and to the Lords of the Privy
Councill appointed and Committee of Trade and Foi-eign Plantacons with all convenient Speed
the names and Characters of Six Persons Inhabitants of our Said Province and Territories
whom you shall esteem the best qualified for that Trust and so from time to time when any of
them shall die, depart out of our Said Province or become otherwise unfitt You are to supply
the first number of Six Persons by nominating others to Us in tlieir Stead

You are from time to time to send to us & our Committee of Trade and Plantacons the
names & qualities of any Rlembers by you put into our said Councill by the hrst Couveniency
after your so doing

In the Choice and Nomination of Members of our Councill, as allso of the Principal Officers,
Judges, Assistants, Justices and Sheriffs, you are alwaies to take Care that they be men of
Estate and Ability and not necessitous People or much in Debt, and that they be Persons well
affected to our Government

You are not to suspend the Members of our Councill without good and sufficient cause, and
in Case of Suspension of any of them you are forthwith to Transmitt unto Us and to our said
Committee your reasons for so doing together with the Charge and Proof against the said
Persons and their answers tliereunto

You are to transmitt authentick Copies under the puhlick Seal of all Laws, Statutes and
ordinances w'*" at any time shall be made and enacted within our said Province unto us and our
Committee of Trade & Plantacons within three months or Sooner after their being enacted
together with duplicates thereof by the next conveyance upon pain of our highest displeasure
and of y'^ forfeiture of that years Salary wherein you shall at any time or upon any pretence
whatsoever omitt to send over the said Laws and Ordinances as aforesaid within the time
above limited

You are not to pass any Act or order in any case for levying money or inflicting Fines and
Penalties whereby the same shall not be reserved to us for such Publick uses as by the said Act
or order be directed

And we do particularly require and command that no money or value of money whatsoever
be given or granted by any Act or Order of Assembly, to any Governor Lieut' Governor or
Commander in Cheif of our said Province which shall not according to the Stile of Acts of
Parliament in England be mention'' to be given and granted unto us with the humble desire of
such Assembly that the same be apply'd to the use and behoof of such Governor, Lieut'
Governor or Commander in Cheif if we shall think fitt or if we shall not approve of such gift
or application that the said money or value of money be then disposed and appropriated to such
other uses as in the said Act or order shall be menconed and that from the time the same shall
be raised it remain in the hands of the Collector or Receiver of our said Province untill our
Pleasure be knowen therein

And for as much as great prejudice may happen to our Service and the security of our said
Province by your absence, for prevention thereof, you are not to presume upon any pretence
w'soever to be absent from your Government without first having obtained leave for so doing
from us under our sign Manual and Signet or by our Order in Privy Councill

And as we are willing in the best manner to Provide for the support of the Government of
our said Province by setting apart sufficient allowances to our Lieut Gov'' or Commander in
Chief residing for the time being within the same. Our Will and Pleasure is That when it
shall happen that you shall be absent fro thence one full moiety of the Salary and of all

820 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Perqnisits and Emoluments which would otherwise become due unto [you] shall during the time
of yoiu' absence be paid and satisfied unto such Lieu' Governor or Commander in Chief who
shall be resident upon the Place for the time being w^"* we do hereby order and allott unto him
for his better maintenance and for the support of the dignity of that Governm'

You shall not suffer any Publick money w'soever to be issued or disposed of otherwise than
by Warrant under your hand by and with the advice and consent of the Councill

You are to cause the ace" of all such money or value of money attested by you to be
transmitted every half 3'ear to our Committee of Trade & Foreign Plantacons and to our
Comm" of our Treasury or our high Treasurer for the time being wherein shall be specified
every particular summe rais'd or dispos'd together with the names of the P''sons to whom any
payment shall be made to the end we may [be] satisfied of the right and due application of
the Revenue of our said Province and the Territories depending thereon

You shall not remit any Fines or Forfeitures above the sum of Ten Pounds before or after
sentence given nor dispose of any Escheats whatsoever untill you shall have first signified unto
Us the nature of the offence or occasion of such Fines, Forfeitures and Escheats with the
particular Sums or value thereof w'''' you are to do with all Speed unto our Comm" of our
Treasury or our High Treasurer for the time being and untill you shall have rec"* our directions
therein. But you may in the mean time suspend the paym' of the said Fines and Forfeitures

And you are particularly not to pass any Law or do any Act by grant or Settlem' or
otherwise whereb}' our Revenue may be lessened or Impaired without our Especial Leave or
Command therein

You are to require the Secreary of our s'' Province or his Deputy for the time being to
provide Transcripts for all such Acts and Publick -orders as shall be made from time to time
together with a Copy of the Journalls of the Assembly to the end the same may be unto Us
and to our Committee of Trade and Foreign Plantacons which he is duly to perform upon pain
of Incurring the Forfeiture of his place

You shall transmitt unto us by the first opportimity a Mapp with the exact description of
the whole territory under your Government with the sev" Plantacons upon & of the
Fortifications

You are likewise to send a list of all officers Employ'd under your Government together
with all publick Charges and an account of the present Revenue with the probability of the
Encrease or diiiiinution of it under every head or Article thereof

You shall not displace any of the Judges, Justices, Sheriffs or Ministers within our said
Province of New York without good and sufficient cause to be signified unto Us and to our
Committee of Trade & Plantacons, And to prevent arbitrary removalls of Judges & Justices
of the Peace, you are not to express any Limitacon of time of the Commissions w* you are
to grant to fitt Persons for those Employm" nor shall you execute your selfe or by Deputy any
of the said offices than one by Deputy

You shall not by Colour of any Power or Authority Granted or menconed to be granted
unto you, take upon you to give grant or dispose of any office or place within our s"" Province,
w'^'' is or shall be granted under the great Seal of England any further than that you may upon
the vacancy of any such office or Place, or suspension of any such officer by you, put in any
Person to oflSciate in the Intervall untill you shall have represented the Matter unto Us w'"'
you are to do by y* first opportunity & that our Pleasure be thereupon signified unto you

You shall not erect any Court or Office of Judicature not before erected or Established
without our Special order

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 821

You are to transmitt unto Us with all convenient Speed a particular Ace' of all Establishments
of Jurisdictions Courts, offices and officers, Powers, Authoritys Fees and Priviledges, Granted
or settled within our s"* Province to the end you may receive our especial Directions therein

You shall likewise take especial Care with the advice and consent of our said Councill to
regulate all Salaries and Fees belonging to Places and paid upon emergencies that they be
within the bounds of Moderation And if [that?] no exaction be made upon any occasion
w'soever

Whereas it is necessary that all our Rights and dues be received and recovered and that
speedy and effectual Justice be administred in all cases concern^ our Revenue you are to take
care that a Court of Exchequer be called and do meet at all such times as shall be needfull @
you are to Inform Us and our Committee for Trade and Plantacons upon your arrival at New
York, whether our Service may require that a constant Court of Exchequer be settled and
established there

You shall take especial care that God Almighty be devoutly and duly served throughout y'
Government, the Book of Comon Prayer as it is now establish'' read each Sunday & Holy-day
and the blessed Sacrament administred according to the Rites of the Church of England,
You shall be careful! that the Churches already built there be well and orderly kept and more
built as the Colony shall by Gods blessing be improved and that besides a competent
Maintenance to be assigned to the Minister of each Orthodox Church a convenient house be
built at the Conion Charge for each Minister and a competent proporcion of land assigned
him for a Glebe and exercise of his Industry

You are to take Care that the Parishes be so limitted and settled as you shall find most
convenient for the accomplishing this good' Work

Our Will & Pleasure is that noe Minister be Preferred by you to any ecclesiasticall Benefice
in that our Province without a Certificate from the Right Reverend the Bishop of London of
his being conformable to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England and of a good
life and conversation

And if any person preferred already to a Benefice shall appear to you to give Scandall either
by his Doctrine or Manners, you are to use the best means for the removall of him and to
supply the Vacancy in such manner as we have directed. And also our Pleasure is that in the
Direction of all Church affairs, The minister be admitted into the respective vestries

And to the end the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the said Bishop of London may take place
in that our province as far as conveniently may be We do think fitt that you give all
countenance and encouragement to the exercise of the same excepting only the Colating to
Benefices, Granting Licences for Marriages and Probate of Wills w"'' we have reserv"* to you
our Governor and to the Commander in Cheif of our said Province for the time being

You are to take especial care that a Table of Marriages, established by the Cannons of the
Church of England be hung up in all the orthodox Churches and duly observed

We do further direct that no School Master be henceforth permitted to come from England
and to keep School within our Province of New York without the Licence of the said Bishop
of London and that no other Person now there or that shall come from other parts be admitted
to keep school without the Licence first had

You are to take care that Drunkenness & Debauchery, Swearing and Blasphem}' be severely
punished and that none be admitted to Publique Trust and employment whose ill Fame He
Conversation may bring Scandall thereupon

You are to take care that no mans life Manner Freehold or Goods be taken away or harmed

822 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

in our said Province, otherwise than by established and known Laws not repugnant to but as
much as may conveniently be agreeable to the Laws of this our Kingdom of England

You shall administer or cause to be administered y^ oaths appointed by Act of Parliament
to be taken in stead of the oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy as also the Test, to the
Members and officers of our Couucill to all Judges and Justices and all other Persons that iiold
any office in our said Province by vertue of any Patent under our Great Seal of England or
our Seal of our Province of New York

And you are to permitt a liberty of Conscience to all Persons (except Papists) so they be
contented with a quiet and Peaceable enjoj-ment of the same not giving offence or Scaudall to
the Government

You shall take care that all Planters and Christian Servants be well and fully provided witii
arms, and that they be listed under officers and when and as often as you shall tiiink fitt
mustered and trained, whereby they may be in a better readiness for the Defence of our said
Province under your Government

And you are to take especial care that neither the frequency nor unreasonableness of Remote
Marches Musters & Trainings be an unnecessary Impediment to the affairs of the Inhabitants

You shall take an Inventory of all Arms, Ammunicion and Stores remaining in any of our
Magazines or Garrisons in our said Province and of those now sent thither and transmitt an
account of them yearly to us by one of our Principal Secretarys of State and to our Committee
lor Trade and Plantacons

You are also to denuuid an account of tlie Stores of War lately sent thither according to
the List of Stores, you will herewith receive and of what other amies and ammunicon have
been bouglit with the Publique Moneys or otherwise for the service of our said Province and
the same to transmitt unto us as aforesaid

You are to take especial care that iitt Store Houses be settled throughout our said Province
for receiving and keeping of Arms Ammunicon and other publick Stores

Whereas it hath been represented unto Us that it will be necessary to enlarge the
Fortihcations of Albany and to make other at Schonectade to p''vent the Incursions of the
French and their Indians from Canada you are with the advice of the Councill, to raise such
Forts, Castles or Platformes at Albany Schonectade or other Places within your Government
as you shall find requisite for this Service Provided the Charges thereof be defray'd out of
our Revenue in New York or by contribucon of the Inhabitants

In case of distress of any of our Plantacons you shall upon application of the respective
Governors thereof to you, assist them with what aid the condicon and safety of your
Government can permitt

And that we may be the better informed of the Trade of our said Province you are to take
care that due entries be made in all ports of all Goods and Commoditys Imported and exported
from thence and from and to what places they come and go and y' a yearly acct thereof be
transmitted by you unto us, by one of our principal Secretarys of State or to our Comm"
of our Treary or our High Trear for the time being and to our Connuittee for Trade and
Foreign Plantacons

You are from time to time to give an ace' as aforesaid what strength your bordering
Neiglibours have (fe they Indians or others) by Sea and Land and what correspondence
you do keep with them.

And whereas we are inlornicd that some of the Colonies adjoining to oin- said Province

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 823

under Colour of Grants or upon some other groundless pretences endeavour to abstract the Trade
of New York and Albany, you are not to suffer any information^ within the River of New York
nor any goods to pass up the same but what shall have paid y*" duties at New York to the end
the Clieif benefit of that Trade may be preserved to the Inhabitants and Traders of New York
and Albany, the same being agreeable to the laws of our said Province and to former practice,
as well as necessary for the collecting those Customes & other duties which are to be raised for
the support of our Government there And in case you find the Inhabitants of East Jersey
have any other way of trading w"' the Indians than by the said River of New York you are to
use your endeavors to prevent the same and to give us advice thereof, w"" your opinion w' is
proper to be done therein

You are to encourage the Indians upon all occasions so as they may apply themselves to the
English Trade & nation rather than to any other of Europe and you are to call before the five
Indians or Cantons of Indians viz the Maquaes, Sinnicas, Cayouges, Oneides and Onnondages,
and upon their renewing their submission to our Government You are to assure them in our
name that we will protect them as our subjects against the French King and his subjects and
when any opportunity shall ofier for purchasing great Tracts of Land for us from the Indians
for small sums you are to use your discretion therein as you shall judge ibr the convenience or
advantage which may arise unto us by the same

You are to suppress the Ingrossing of Commodities tending to the prejudice of that freedome,
which Commerce ought to have, and to settle such orders and regulacons therein with the
advice of our Councill as may be most acceptable to the Inhabitants

You are to give all due encouragement & Invitation to Merchants and others who shall bring
Trade into Our said Province or any way contribute to the advantage thereof, in particular to
the Royall African Company of England

You are carefully to observe all the articles contained in the Treaty for composing of
differences restraining of Depredations and establishing of Peace in America, concluded, at
Madrid the -,^3- day of July 1670 with the Crown of Spain, an authentick Copy whereof you
will herewith receive and in case of any Private Injury or Damage w'^'' shall be suffered or done
to any of our Subjects in those parts by the subjects of the King of Spain, or of any other
Prince or State in Amity with us, You shall take care to give us an account thereof with all
convenient Speed and not to permitt or encourage reparation thei-eof to be sought in any other
way than what is directed and agreed on by the said Treaties, And whereas we are informed
that great disorders and Depredacons dayly committed by Pirattes and others to the Prejudice of
our Allies contrary to the Treaties between us, and the good Correspondence w"^"" ought to be
maintained between Christian Princes and States y°" are to take care that such a Law, a Copy
whereof is herewith delivered unto you be passed within our Province of New York which you
are to transmitt unto us by the first opportunity

Whereas we think fitt for the better Administracon of Justice that a Law be passed wherein
shall be sett the value of Mens Estates either in goods or Lands under w""" they shall be
capable of serving as Jurors, you are therefore by y= first opportunity of Transmitting any
Laws hither for our approbacon, to prepare and send one to that Purpose

You are with the assistance of our Council to find out the best means to facilitate and
encourage the Conversion of Negros and Indians to the Christian Religion

You are to endeavor with the assistance of our Councill to provide for the raising and

' Qu? Importation. — Ed.

824 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

building of Publique Work Houses in convenient Places for the employing of Poor and
Indigent People

Our will and Pleasure is That you do take to y'' self as Governor the sum of Six hundred
Pounds Sterls pi" ann out of the Revenue arising in our said Province, and that you cause to
he paid out of the said Revenue, to the severall officers both Civill «& Military such Salarys
and allowances as have been usually paid unto them untill you shall receive our farther
direction therein

You shall not upon any pretence whatsoever permitt any Alteration to be made in the Value
of the Currant Coyn, either Foreign or belonging to any of our Dominions without being first
signified unto us, the reasons for so doing and rec*" our Pleasure therein

You are to take care that all writts be issued in our Royall names throughout our said
Province and Territories depending thereon

For as much as great inconveniencies may arise by the liberty of Printing within our
Province of New York you are to provide by all necessary orders that no p-'son keep any Press
for Printing nor that any book, Pamphlett or other Matters whatsoever be printed without
you[r] especial leave and licence first obtained

Whereas it hath been represented unto us by the Peticion of Derick Wessells that having
been sent upon the publick Service from New York to the Governor of Canada in the year
1683 for w'^'' said Service and the several disbursements in his Journey thither, there is due
unto the Petitioner the sum of seventy four Pounds eight Shillings of which he hath not
receiv'' any part, Wherefore the Petitioner prays that the same may be paid out of our
Revenue arising in New York, you are upon your arrival there to examine the Petitioners
allegations, and to cause what shall appear to be due to him for the said service to be paid
unto him out of our Revenue arising there

Lastly if any thing shall happen that may be of advantage and security of our said Province
w^hich is not herein or by our Commission provided for. Our Will and Pleasure is that we do
hereby allow unto you with the advice and consent of our Councill to take order for the
Present therein giving speedy notice thereof that so you may receive our Ratification if we
shall approve of the same. Provided alwaies that you do not by colour of any Power or
Authority hereby given you. Commence or declare war without our knowledge and Command
therein except it be against Indians upon Emergencies, wherein the consent of our Councill
shall be had, and speedy notice thereof given imto us and you are upon all occasions to send
unto Us, by one of our Principal Secretarys of State and the Lords of the Privy Councill
appointed a committee for Trade and Foreign Plantacons, a Particular Ace' of all your
Proceedings and of the condition of affairs within your Government

Given at our Court at Kensington
the Seaventh day of March 169| in y=
fourth year of our Reign

By Her Mat^ Command

Nottingham

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIIL 825

Petition of Jacoh Lelder to the King.

[Xcw-Yorl: Ejilry, 11. STO.]

To the Kings most Excell' Majesty

The huml)le Petition of Jacob Leisler son of Capt" Jacob Lcisler deceased, late
Commander in Cheif of your Mat>'' Province of New York in America

Shevveth

Tliat upon the late happy Revolution, your Petitioners said Father was very instrumental in
Securing the said Province for your Majesty, [and being of known integrity to your
Majesties interest] ^ and the Protestant Religion, Capt" Francis Nicholson then Deputy
Governor having withdrawn himself from the said Province, your Pet" sard Father upon
the 16"" of August 1089 was by the Freeholders and Inhabitants elected and constituted
Commander in Cheif imtill your Majesties Royall Pleasure &\\o^ be declared concerning the
said Province, @ accordingly he entered upon the Government, and was acknowledged as
such by the people, and was in possession of the Fort and Garrison which till that time
were ruinous and incapable of defence and did proclaim your Majesty and your Royall Consort
to be our Soveraigne Lord and Lady King and Queen, and caused the same to be done in other
Provinces

That on the lO"" of December 1689. Your Matys gracious letter dated the 80"' July before,
arrived there, the same being directed to the said Capt" Nicolson and in his absence to such as
for the time being, took care for preserving the Peace and administring the lawes within the
said Province, whereby your Majesty was graciously pleased to authorize the Person then
Commanding in Cheif as aforesaid to take upon him the Government, calling to his Assistance
in the administracou thereof, the Principal Inhabitants or as many of them as he should think
fitt willing and requiring him to do and perform all things which to the Place and Office of
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief did appertain, as he should find necessary for your
Majestys Service, and the good of your Subjects there, untill further order from your Majesty.
That your Petitioners said father being so confirmed in the said government, by your Maf'
said Royall Letter, did faithfully observe your Mat^' commands thereby declared and did in all
respects Provide for the Security of the said Province as well against all attempts of the French,
who are very powerful in these Parts, as Papists and other disaffected persons of which there
were many resident in the said Province

That on the 2S«= of January last past, Capt" Richard Ingoldsby arrived at New York with
some Soldiers from England, to whom your Petitioner's said Father offered all sort of
accomodation, but the said Ingoldsby required the Possession of the said Fort, and Government
for which your Petitioner's said Father desired to see his orders being ready to obey the same
if he had any such from your Majesty, or from Coll Sloughter whom your Majesty had been
pleased to make Governor ; but the said Ingoldsby had no such orders or would not produce
the same, whereupon your Petitioners said Father having advised with the Principall Inhabitants
was councill'd and directed by them to keep and maintain the Possession of the Fort and
Goverment (in regard the said Ingoldsby would not shew his orders to receive the same) untill

' The passage in brackets is from the copy of this document among the MSS. of the New -York Ehtorkal Society, and
printed in New -York Documentary History, 8vo., II., 422. — En.

Vol. III. 104

826 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

the Governor arrived and your Mat^' pleasure was known, That Ingoldsby thereupon joyning
himself to the Papists and other disaffected Persons, did by many indirect means to the great
Terror of your Majestys Lieige Subjects in a hostile and dreadfull manner assemble great
numbers of French and other persons, and beseiged the said Fort, and raised divers batteries
against the same, and so continued in Arms about six Weeks, that on the lO"" of March last
Coll Sloughter did arrive, and as soon as your Petitioners said Father had certain knowledge
thereof, which was not till eleven oclock that night, He did send the Mayor of the Citty and
M'' Milbourne his Secretary from the said Fort to wayt upon him, and to offer him the
Possession thereof, but the said Coll Sloughter without hearing them speak, committed them
all close Prisoners, who not returning as your Petitioners Father expected, he did very early
next morning, write to the said Coll Sloughter desiring him to come and receive the Fort, and
accordingly he came and took possession thereof on the 20"" March, but presently after caused
all the Soldiers and Inhabitants in the said Fort and Citty to be disarmed, and contrary to all
Law and Justice, committed your Petitioner and his s"* Father and 26 other persons to Prison
pretend? they were Guilty of High Treason against your Mat^' for keeping the said Fort as
aforesaid, and the said Coll Sloughter and Ingoldsby confederating with divers others disaffected
Persons to your Majesties, to put your Petitioners said father and others to death did in a
most arbitrary and illegal manner cause him and seven others to be tryed Judged and
Condemned to Death for some Pretended High Treason, and have since most barbarously
caused your Petitioners said Father and your petitioners brother in Law (the said Milbourne)
to be hanged and afterwards butchered, the said other six persons (if not since put to death)
remaining in Prison under the same unjust Sentence of Condemnation, and have seized their
Estates and Goods, and have also most unjustly prosecuted your Petitioner and many other of
your Majestys good Subjects, confiscating their Estates, who for Preservation of their lives,
have been forced to leave the said Province, by which cruell and barbarous practices great
numbers of your Majestys Subjects are in danger of utter Ruine, and the said Country is like
to be depopulated and made desolate, the said Coll Sloughter being dead, and the said Capt"
Ingoldsby (since his death) commanding in Cheif in the said Province, who doth continue to
exercise great Violence and barbarity against your Mat>'' loyal Subjects there

Your Petitioner therefore humbly implores your most sacred Majesty, to take the
Premises into your Princely consideration and to give such Orders therein as well for
the preservation of the said Six Condemned Persons, and the Releif of your Petitioners
and other Poor Sufferers as also for the Preservation and future good establishment
of the said Province as to your Royall goodness & wisdom shall seem meet

And your Petitioner as in

Duty bound shall ever Pray &c

Jacob Leisler

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 827

Order of Council in Case of Leider and Jlillmirne.

[ New-Tork Entry, II. .334.]

At the Court at Whitehall the II"' March 1691

Present — The Queens most Excellent INIaf in Councill

Whekeas, The Right Honorable the Lords of the Committee for Trade and Tlantations
have by their Report dated the 11* Inst' Represented to her Majesty that they have examined
the matter of the Petition of Jacob Leisler the son of Jacob Leisler of New- York, deceased,
referred to the Committee by his Majesties order in Councill of the '7'^ of January last
complaining of Proceedings against his father and Jacob Milbourne by Coll Sloughter at New
York, who were thereupon condemned and put to Death, and their Estates confiscated, and
their Lordshipps having fully heard the said Jacob Leisler the P' by his Council Learned,
upon the whole matter are humbly of opinion, that the said Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milbourn
deceased were condemned and have snflered according to Law. But their Lordships do
humbly offer their Intercession to her Majesty in behalf of their Families as fit objects of their
Mat'" Mercy, That the Estates of the said Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milbourne deceased may
be restored to them upon their humble application to their JNIajestys by Petition for the same.
Her Majesty in Council is this day pleased to approve the said Report, and to declare that
upon the Humble application of the relations of the said Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milbourn
deceased. Her Majesty will order the estates of the said Jacob Leisler and Jacob Milburn to be
restored to their Families as objects of her Majestys mercy

Commission of Benjamin Fletclier to he Governor of New -York

[New-York, II. 822.]

William and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland Defender of the Faith &c To our Trusty and Wellbeloved Benjamin Fletcher Esq^^
Greeting We reposing especial trust and confidence in the Prudence, Courage, and Loyalty
of you the said Benjamin Fletcher, Out of our special Grace certain knowledge and meer
motion have thouglit fitt to constitute and appoint, and we do by these presents constitute and
appoint you the said Benjamin Fletcher, to be our Capt° Generall and Gov' in Chief in and
over our Province of New York and the Territories thereon depending in America, And we
do hereby require @ command you to do and execute all things in due manner that shall
belong unto your said command and the Trust we have reposed in you. According to the
sev" Powers and Directions granted or appoint'd you by this present commission and the
Instructions herewith given you or by such further Powers Instructions and authorities as shall
at any time hereafter be granted or appointed you under our signet and sign Manual or by our
order in our Privy Councill and according to such reasonable Laws and Statutes as now are in
force or hereafter shall be made and agreed upon by you with the advice and Consent of the
Councill and Assembly of our said Province under your Governm' in such manner and Fonn
as is hereafter expressed

828 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And we do hereby give and grant full Power unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher after you
shall first have taken an Oath for the due Execution of the Office @ Trust of our Capt"
General and Governor in Cheif in and over our said Province of New York and the Territories
depending thereon w"' our said Council or any five of them have hereby full Power and
authority and are required to administer unto you, to give and administer unto each of the
Members of our said Council as well the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken
instead of the oath of Allegiance and Supremacy as the Test and the Oath for the due
execution of their places and Trust

And we do hereby give and grant unto you full Power and Authority to suspend any of the
Members of our said Council, from Sitting, Voting and assisting therein if j'ou shall find Just
cause for so doing

And if it shall at any time happen that b}' the death, departure out of our said Province,
suspension of any of our said Councillors there shall be a vacancy in our s"* Councill (any
three whereof we do hereby appoint be a quorum) Our Will. & Pleasure is that you signify
the same unto Us by the first opportunity that we may under our Signet and Sign Manual
Constitute and appoint other in their stead. But that our affairs at that distance may not suffer
for want of a due number of Councillors if ever it shall happen that there be less than Seaven
of them resids in our said Province, We do hereby give @ grant unto you full Powers &
Authority to Choose as many Persons out of the Principal Freeholders Inhabitants thereof as
will make up the full number of our said Council to be seaven and no more W'' Persons by
virtue of such Choice shall be to all intents and purposes, Councillors in our said Province
until they shall be confirmed by us or that by the nomination of others by us under our Sign
manual and Signet the said Council shall have seven persons in it

We do hereby give and grant unto you full Power and authority with the advice and consent
of our said Councill from time to time as need shall require to summon and call general
Assemblys of the Inhabitants being Freeholders within your Governm* according to the usage
of our Colony of New York

And our Will and Pleasure is that the Persons thereupon duly elected by the Major Part of
the Freeholders of the respective Countyes and Places and so returned and having before their
sitting taken the oaths appointed by act of Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of
Allegiance and Supremacy & subscribed the Test w'^'' you shall commissionate fitt Persons
vmder our Seal of New York to administer and without taking and subscribing whereof none
shall be capable of Sitting tho' elected, shall be call'' and held the General Assembly of that
our Province and Territories depending thereon

And that you the said Benjamin Fletcher by and with the consent of our said Councill and
Assembly or y* Major Part of them respectively shall have full Power & authority to make
constitute and ordain Laws Statutes and Ordinances for the Publick Peace Welfare and good
Government of our said Province and of the People and Inhabitants thereof and such others
as shall resort thereto & for the benefit of us our Heirs & Successors

Which said Laws Statutes and Ordinances, are to be (as near as may be) agreeable to the
Laws & Statutes of this our Kingdom of England

Provided that all such Laws Statutes & Ordinances of what nature or duration soever, be
within three months or sooner after the making thereof Transmitted unto Us under our Seal of
New York for our approbation or disallowance of the same as also duplicates thereof by the
next conveyance

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 829

And in case any or all of them being not before confirm'd by Us shall at any time be
disallowed & not apjiroved and so signified by Us our Heirs & Successors under our or their
Sign Manuall & Signett or by order of our or their Privy Councill unto you the said Benjamin
Fletcher or to the Commander in Chief of our said Province for the time being, then such and
so many of them as shall be so disallow'd and not approved shall from thenceforth cease,
determine and become utterly void, and of none effect anything to the contrary thereof
notwithstanding

And to the end nothing may he passed or done by our said Councill or [and] Assembly to the
Prejudice of us, our heires & Successors, We will and ordain that you the said Benjamin
Fletcher shall have @ enjoy a negative voice in the making @ passing of all Laws Statutes &
Ordinances as aforesaid

And that you shall and may likewise from time to time as you shall judge it necessarj-.
Adjourn Prorogue and dissolve all General Assemblys as aforesaid

Our Will and Pleasure is That you shall and may keep and use the Publique Seal appointed
or to be appoint* by us for our Province of New York

We do further give and grant mito you the said Benjamin Fletcher, full Power and authority
from time to time and at any time hereafter by your self or by any other to be authorized by
you in that behalf to administer and give the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be
taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to all and every such person or
Persons as you shall think titt who shall at any time or times past into our said Province or
shall be resident or abiding there

And we do by tliese p''sents give and grant unto you full Power and Authority with the
advice and consent of our said Councill to erect constitute and establish such and so many
Courts of Judicature and Publick Justice within our said Province @ the Territories under
your Government as you and they shall think fitt and necessary for the hearing & determining
of all Causes as well Criminal' as Civil according to Law & Equity and for awarding of
Execution thereupon with all reasonable and necessary Powers Authorities Fees & Priviledges
your belonging unto them as also to appoint and commissionate fitt Psons in the several Parts of
Government to administer the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the
Oaths of Allegiance & Supremacy & y*' Test unto such as shall be obliged to [take] the same

And we do hereby authorize and empower you to constitute and appoint Judges, Justices of
the Peace and other necessary officers and ministers in our said Province for the better
administration of Justice and putting, tlie Laws in Execution, and to administer or cause to be
administred such oath or oaths as are usually given for the due Execution & Performance of
Offices and Places and for the clearing of Truth in Judicial Causes

We do further by these p''sents will and require that appeals be permitted to be made in
Cases of Error from our Courts in New York unto you our Governor and to our Councill in
Civil Causes. Provided the value appeal* for do exceed the sum of one hundred Pounds
Sterl. and that security be first given by the Appellant to answer such Charges as shall be
awarded in case the first sentence shall be affirmed

And whereas we do Judge it necessary that all our subjects may have liberty to appeal to
our Royal Person in cases that may deserve the same. Our Will & Pleasure is that if either
Party shall not rest satisfied with the Judgment or Sentence of our Govern'' & Council they
may then appeal unto us in our Privy Council Provided the matter in difference Exceed the real
value and Sum of three hundred Pounds Sterling And that such appeal be made within one

830 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

fortnight after Sentence and Security be likewise duly given by the Appellant to answer such
Charges as shall be awarded in case the sentence of the Governor & Council be confirmed.
And Provided also that execution be not suspended by reason of any such appeal unto us

And we do hereby Give and Grant unto yoii full Power & Authority where you shall Judge
any [offender or] offendors in Criminal matters or for any Fines or Forfeitures fit objects of our
Mercy to pardon and remit such offendors Fines and Forfeitures before or after sentence given
Treason and Willful Murder only excepted In w'='' cases you shall likewise have power upon
extraordinary occasions to grant Repreives to the Offendors untill our Royall Pleasure may
be knowen therein

We do by these Presents authorize and empower you to Colate any Person or Persons
in any Churches, Chapells or other Ecclesiastical Benefices within our said Province and
Territories aforesaid as often as any of them shall happen to be void

We do hereby give and grant unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher by your self your Capt"'
and Commanders by you to be authorized full Power and Authority to Levy Arm, Muster,
Command and employ all Persons whatsoever [residing] within our said Province of New York
and other the Territories under your Government, @ as occasion shall serve them to transfer
from one place to another for the resist^ and withstanding of all Enemies, Piratts and Rebels
both at Sea and at Land and to transport sucli Forces to any of our Plantations in America as
occasion shall require for the Defence of the same against the Invasion or Attempts of any of
our Enemies.

And them if occasion shall require to prosecute in or out of the Limitts of our said Province
and Plantations or any of them

And if it shall please God them to vanquish, apprehend and take and being taken either
according to the Laws of Arms, to put to death or keep and preserve alive at your discretion

And to execute Martial Law in time of Invasion, Insurrection or War and during the
Continuance of the same, as also upon Soldiers in Pay, and to do and execute all and every
other thing or things which to a Capt" General doth or ought of R' to belong as fully and
amply as any our Capt" General doth or hatli usually done

And we do hereby give @ grant unto you full Power and authority to erect, Raise and
build in our said Province and Territories depending thereon such and so many Forts and
Platforms, Castles, Cittys Bouroughs, Towns & Fortifications as you by the advice aforesaid
shall judge necessary

And the same or any of them to fortify and furnish with Ordnance, Ammunition and all
sorts of arms fitt and necessary for the security and defence of our said Province,

And we do hereby give and grant unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher full power and
authority to erect one or more Court or Courts admiral within our said Province and Territories
for the hearing and determining of all marine and other causes and matters proper therein to
be heard with all reasonable and necessary Powers, Authorityes, Fees and Priviledges

As allso to exercise all powers belonging to the Place and Office of Vice Admiral of and in
all the Seas and Coasts within your Government, according to such Commission authorities,
and Instructions as you shall receive from our self under the Seal of our Admiralty or from
our High Admirall or Comm" for executing the office of High Admirall of our Foreign
Plantacons for the time being

And for as much as divers Mutinys & disorders do happen by Persons shipp'' and employed
at Sea, may be the better Governed and ordered, We do hereby give and grant unto you the

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 831

said Bonj" Fletcher our Cap" General and Governor in Clieif full Tower and authority to
constitute and appoint Capt"^ Masters of Ships and other commanders, and to grant to such
Capt°^ Masters of Ships and other Commanders Commissions to execute the Law Martial and
to use such Proceedings, Authoritj^ Punishment Correction & execution upon any oiFendor or
offendors w^"" shall be mutinous, Seditious disorderly or any way unruly either at Sea or during
the time of [their] abode or residence in any of the Ports Harbors or Bays of our said Province
or Territorys as the Cause shall be found to require according to Martial Law, Provided that
nothing herein contain'd shall be construed to the enabling you or any by your Authority to
hold Plea or have Jurisdiction of any offence, Cause Matter or thing Committed or done upon
the High Sea, or within any of the Havens, Rivers or Creeks of our said Province and
Territories under your Government by any Capt° Command'- Lieut' Master or other officer,.
Seaman, Soldier or Person whatsoever who shall be in actual Service and Pay in and on Board
any of our Ships 'of Warr or other vessels acting by immmediate Commission or Wan' from
our Commissioners for execute the office of our High Admiral of England for the time being,
but that such Capt° Command^ Lieut' Master Officer, Seaman Soldier or other Person so
offending shall be left to be proceeded against and tryed as the merits of their offence shall
require either by commission under our great Seal of England as the Statute of the Os"' of
Henry the S"" directs, or by commission from our said High Admirall according to the Act of
Parliament passed in the 13'- year of the Reign of the late King Charles the second (Entituled
an Act for the establishing Articles and orders for the Regulating and better Government of
his Maty^ Navys, Ships of War and Forces by Sea) and not otherwise, saving only that it shall
and may be lawful for you upon any such Capt" or Commander refusing or neglecting to
execute, or upon his negligent or undue Execution of any of the written orders he shall receive
from you for our Service and the service of our said Province to suspend him the said Capt" or
Commander from the exercise of his said office of Commander, and committ him into safe
Custody either on board his own Ship or elsewhere, at the discretion, [of you] in order to his
beino- brought to answer for the same by Commission under our Great Seal of England or from
our said High Admirall as is before expressed. In w'^ case our Will and Pleasure is that the
Capt° or Commander so by you suspended shall during such his suspension and Committment
be succeeded in his said Office by such Commission or Warrant officer of our said Siiip, or
appointed by our Commissioners for executing the office of our High Admirall of England or
by our High Admiral of England for the time being as by the known Practice and discipline of
our Navy does and ought next to succeed him, as in case of death. Sickness or other ordinary
disability happening to y^ Commander of any of our Ships of War and not otherwise, you
standing allso accountable to us for the Truth and importance of the Crime and Misdemeanor
for W^"- you shall so proceed to the suspending of such our Capt" or Commander

Provided also that all such Disorders or Misdemeanors committed on Shore by any Captn
Commander, Lieut' Master, or other officer soldier seaman or Person whatsoever belonging to
our Ship of War or other Vessel acting by immediate Commission or Warrant from our
Commissioners for executeing the office of our High Admiral of England under the Seal of
our Admiralty or from our High Admiral of England for the time being may be tryed and
punished accords to the laws of the Place where any such Desorders, Offences and
Misdemeanors shall be so committed on shore not withstanding such offendor be in our actual
Service and born in our pay on board any such our Ships of War or other Vessels acting by
immediate Commission or War' from our Comm" for executing y" Office of our High Admiral

832 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS:

or from Our High Adiiiiral as aforesaid so as he shall not receive any Protection for the
avoiding of Justice, for such offences committed on Shoare from any pretence of his being
employed in our Service at Sea,

Our Will and Pleasure is that all pulilick moneys Rais'd or to be rais'd within our said
Province and other the Territories under your Government be issued out by Warrant from you
and with the advice and consent of the Council and disposed of by you for the support of
the Government and not otherwise

And we do hereby likewise give and grant unto you full Power and Authority by and witii
the advice of our said CoUncill to agree with the Inhabitants of our Province and Territories
afores"* for such Lands Tenements and hereditaments as now are or hereafter shall be in our
Power to dispose

And them to grant to any Person or Persons for such term and under such moderate Quitt
Rents Services & acknowledgement to be thereupon reserved unto us as you by and with the
advice aforesaid shall think fitt

Which said Grants are to pass and to be sealed by our Seal of New York and being entered
upon record by such officer or officers as you shall appoint thereunto, shall be good and effectual
in Law against us our heires and Successors ■

And we do hereby give you full Power to order and appoint. Fairs, Marts & Marketts, as
also such and so many Ports Harbours, Bays, havens and other Places for the convenience and
security of Shipping and for the better loading and unloading of Goods & Merchandizes as by
you with the advice and consent of the s'' Councill shall be thought fitt and necessary and in
them or any of them to erect nominate and appoint Custom Houses, Warehouses and officers
relating thereunto and them to alter change Place or displace from time to time as with the
advice aforesaid shall be thought fitt

And we do by these presents Will require and command you to take all possible care for the
discountenance of vice and encouragement of virtue and good living that by such example the
lufidells may be invited and desire to partake of the Christian [Religion]

And our further Will and Pleasure is^That you shall not at any time hereafter by Colour of
any Power or Authority hereby granted or mencon^ to be granted take upon you to give grant
or dispose of .any office or Place within our said Province and Territories w'^'' now are or shall
be granted under the Great Seal of England any further than that you may upon the vacancy
of any such office or suspension of any Officer by you put in any person to officiate in the
interval, untill y'' said place be disposed of by Us under the great Seal of England or that our
directions be otherwise given therein

And we do hereby require and command all officers and Ministers Civill and Military and all
other Inhabitants of our said Province and the Territories depending thereon to be obedient,
aiding and assisting unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher in the Execution of this our
Commission and of the Powers and Authoritys herein contain"* and in Case of your death or
absence out of our said Province or Territories under your Governm', unto such Person as shall
be appointed by Us to be Commander in Cheif of our said Province to whom We do by these
presents give and grant all and singular the Powers & Authorities aforesaid, to be executed
and enjoy'd by him during our Pleasure, or untill your arrivall with in our said Province
and Territories, And if upon such Death or absence, there be no Person upon the place
Commissionated or appointed by Us to be Commander in Cheif, Our Will and Pleasure is
That the then present Councill of Our said Province do take upon them the Administracon of
the Government and execute tliis Commission nda the severall Powers and Authorities herein

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 833

contained relnting to our said Province and that the first Councillor who shall be at the time of
your Death or absence Residing within the same do preside in our said Councill with such
Powers and Preheminences as any former President hatli used and enjoy"* witiiin our said
Province or any other our Plantacons in America uutill our Pleasure be further known ; or your
arrival! as aforesaid

And lastly We doe hereby declare ; ordain and appoint, That you the said Benjamin
Fletcher shall and may hold execute and enjoy the office and place of Capt° Generall and
Governor and Chief in and over our Province of New York and the Territories depending
thereon together with all and Singular the Powers & Authoritys hereby granted unto you for
and during our Will and Pleasure [In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters
to be made Patents Witness Our Selves at Westminster the Eighteenth Day of March in the
fourth Yeare of Our Reigue

p'' Breve De private Sigillo Chute]

Mem''™

The great Seal dated the IS"" day of
March in the fourth year of Their Mat'"
Reign

[The words within brackets in the preceding Document are added from the official Record in Book of Commimons (Secre-
tary's oiBce), II., 20. — Ed. ]

T7ie Co')nmander-in-CMef to the Duke of Bolton.

[Xew-Tork Papers, HI. C. 11.]

Fort William Henry
2S"' April 1692
May it Please Yo'' Grace

I have made it my businesse by every opportunity to write the deep sense I have of Yo"'
Graces favour with some small accounts of the affaires of this Province but have the misfortune
that one Barquenteene is lost another taken wherein most of my Packets were: If this
comes to hand I humbly begg Yo'' Grace it be accepted for an infinite number of sincere
acknowledgements of the many great and good Offices Your Grace has done me I am somewhat
doubtfuU that the miscarriage of the publick writeings relating to the Afiaires of Government
here sent home in the Bristol Barquenteene may doe the place a disservice at Court as my
particuler. There being as I am well informed evill instruments at home that have opportunity
enough as well as impudence to ly without contradiction and beget wrong notions of the
constitution of this place with the Ministers of State but I beg Yo"" Graces pardon if I am
mistaken. I understand that several Gent" have put in for this Government if interest or envy
hath moved any thing to contrive my hurt in my absence I beg Yo'' Graces patronage which I
am the more bold to ask because my chiefe care and study is to behave myselfe in the present
station according to such measures and rules as I imagine Yo'' Grace would lay out for me and
this is my present Ambition.

Vol. III. 105

834 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

INIay it please Yo"" Grace I have managed the Government here with great moderacon and
by the blessing of God we are likely to see an end of all the divisions and distractions of
the ignorant misled people and nothing could more disturb the peace thereof than the alteracon
of a Governor the very news thereof giving new life to the ignorant and factious mob who
never have right notions of things being only pleased in disorder and tumult which they fancy
to be the necessary consequence of change, it is the opinion of the best and most sober
thinking men in this province that nothing would more contribute to the perfect health of this
Collony than that it would please their Ma''" to confirme me in this post by their gracious Ires
patent for the government noe person shall serve their ]Ma''" with more faith and integrity nor
with greater moderacon I have now profitted soe much since my arriveall here as to be acquainted
with the place and people.

Our Assembly are now sitting to provide for the reinforcement of Albany it is a place situate
on the head of the Hudson River for trade with the Indians of the 5 Nations of Mohaques the
Mohaques have always been in amity and friendship with the Inhabitants of Albany and have
thence all their supply of Gunns, powder, lead, duffels and other Indian Merchandize from
Europe they are a warlike people and have been a sore plague to the French in Canida but of
^ate very much debauched and grown indifferent there being no care taken to maintaine the
Friendship during the late troubles. We are forced to an expense of great p''sents to them-
The French have spared no cost nor pains to traduce them but doe find it has little effect while
Albany is in our possession for from thence must the Indians be supplied and whoever are
Ma"'* of Albany will sway the Indians to their side these Indians have their seat in the
wilderness to the westward of Albany on the heads of the Rivers Delaware, Maryland, and
Virginia and, if once our enemies, noe man shall dare goe out of doors to plant or be able to
live out of Garrison and this Country is so large that plantations and farms are scattered at a
distance from one another so that they cannot avoid becoming their pray

May it please Your Grace

This poor province which consisteth mostly of Hudsons River and Long Island is put to all
the charge & expence of men, money, and presents to maintaine that Garrison and none of
our neighbouring Colonies afford us any aid or assistance tho' it giveth life and safety to them
all wee have made proposalls to Virginia, Maryland, Pensylvania, New England and the
Jerseys for that purpose but to no effect Maryland pretended they waited for the arrival of
their Governor Virginia wanted orders from England Pennsylvania and the Jerseys know
there is a necessity for us to maintain the place and fend off the blow New England is
without Government and gall'd with a serpentine enemy the eastern Indians of Penobscott
that since the revolution (as I am credibly informed) have killed and carried away above
2000 people without the losse of one Indian. We have lately had the news of 140 killed and
carryed away from York in Piscataway River for hitherto we are left without any assistance
wee have by Gods blessing hitherto preserved that post but our burden is now intoUerable
must therefore begg Yo' Grace on behalfe of that place to intercede with their Ma""' for Ires
mandatory to New England, Virginia, Maryland and Pensilvania to be assistant to us in the
maintenance of that post during the warr and that the Jerseys and from Connecticutt River
may be annexed unto this Province as formerly Yo"' Grace must needs be sensible how much
it is for the honour and interest of their Ma"''* and the General! good of their plantations on
the Maine ; I have sent herewith copies of severall Ires which 1 formerly have intended should
trouble Yo"" Grace's hands and now this small packett goelh an adventure. I am resolved to

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 835

write more at large whenever an opportunity p'"sents from this port and will misse noe
opportunity whatsoever to manifest how much my life and being is devoted to Yo"' Graces
service begg pardon for the trouble I give you and with sincere heart subscribe

Your Grace's

Most dutiful! obedient and
humble Servant

Rich : Ingoldesby

Order in Council amending Col. Fletcher''s Commission as Governor' of Pennsylvania.

[New-Tork Entry, II. 402.]

At the Court at Whitehall the 12"" May 1692

Present — The R' Honb''" the Lords of Their ]Maj"" most Honb'*" Privy Councill
Order upon tho Upon the Representation of the Right Hon""" the Lords of the Committee of

Representation ^ ^ ^

of Committee Trade and Plantacons this day made at the Board It was ordered in Councill as it

Kelating to tlie .'

commn for the -g j^g^gj^y ordered that in the Draught of the Commission to be prepared by their

Govt of Pensilvania

Lopps for Coll Fletcher Gov' in Cheif of New York to take the Province of

Pensilvania and Countrey of New Castle under his Gov' a clause be inserted to authorize him

untill their Maj''" pleasure shall be further known, nominate and appoint a Lieut' Gov"" and such

Number of Councillors as he shall think requisite for their Majesties Service, not exceeding

twelve persons out of the Principal Freeholders and Inhabitants of that Province and Countrey,

and the said Lieut' Governor or any of the said Councillors to suspend if he shall find just

cause for so doing and to appoint others in their Stead and it is further ordered that Coll

Fletcher be directed by his Instructions That in case there shall be found Persons Enough in

the Province of Pensilvania and Countrey of New Castle of good estates and abilities to be

appointed Members of their Majesties Councill and to supply the Places of Majistrates and

other publick officers there, who are willing to take the Oaths appointed by act of Parliament

to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy it be then sufficient for such of

the said Councillors and Majistrates who shall refuse the said Oaths to make and subscribe the

Declaration of Fidelity contained in the Act of Parliament here in England for exempting their

Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalty of

certain Laws

Rich"" Colinge

8^6 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

The Council of Neiv-Yorh to Mr. Blatlncayt.

[New-York Entry, II. 424.]

Honor'' Sir.

After our most hvimble and hearty acknowledgements of the many good Services done to
this Province through your mediation and Intercession by their Majesties We did reckon it
our great duty to inform you of the arrival! of their Majesties Ketch Alborough from Maryland
to releive the Arch Angell and pray you on our behalf to return our most humble and most
dutifull Sence of their Majesties great care of us. We are sorry for the loss of the BristoU
Barquenteen commanded by Capt° Alloway which departed from hence the 13"' of August last
past with a black Box wherein were all the Acts of Assembly enrolled under the Seal of
the Province Minutes and Orders of Councill and Address to their Majesty's @ many other
books and writings for their JNLajesties Service in those Parts of America We are taking care
to have duplicates ready and copies of what since occurred w"^*" we beleive will come to hand
with this letter but the Man of War being to touch at Virginia, we think to send what are not
yet ready by Land before the Fleet sails

We humbly oifer unto you S'' a short and true account of our Present State and Condition,
We are the Key and Center of all their Majesties Plantacons on this Main, formerly this
Province was of considerable extent but for the sake of some private interest the East and
West Jerseys Pensilvania the Lower Counties on Delaware and that part of Connecticut to
the Westward of Connecticut River were lopp"^ oft' so that nothing remains but Long Island
and two more small Islands with the Upper Part of HuJsons River where Albany is situated
being (next to New York Citty) the most considerable in the Province supported by the
Indian Trade fronting to Canada to the Westward of Albany are the Seats of the five Nations
of iMaquaes having the Heads of the Rivers running into the great Lakes of Canada on the
North side and of the Rivers of De la ware Maryland and Virginia on the South side Spreading
themselves about 300 leagues^ to the Westward, Those Indians are a Warlike PeojDle and
have been alwaies steady to the Government of this Province supplyed from Albany
where the brought their Rich Furrs and Peltry have often and much gall"" the French in Canada
and hindred their Encroachments upon their Majestys Territorys

The Fi-ench have many year endeavoured to debauch and seduce those Indians to a peace
and Friendship by Jesuits great presents and many other means whicdi have so far prevail** in
the latter Reigns, as to draw over 400 of our best Indians now call"* the praying Indians of
Canada and our Ennemys who have lately kill'd several of our Mohawks their own Brethren.
The great distance of our Indians from the settled Parts of Canada doth oblige them to
adhere to Albany for the Conveniency of supply of European goods and whoever are Masters
of Albany are Masters of the Indians and therefore the French design the Ruine of that
Garison. If those Indians should become our enemys Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania and all
our neighbouring Colonies are destroyed and depopulated as the Province of Maine to the
Eastward in New England is by a subtill enemy that is never seen nor heard of till they have
done their Mischeifs and made their escape in the woods where no Christian can follow. This
poor Province hath been at a vast charge in support^ of that Garison even to the Impoverishing
and Ruine of many Inhabitants. We have apply'd to Virginia, Maryland, Pensilvania the

' "ililes." New-York Colonial Manuscript-^ XXXVIII. — Ed.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 8g7

Jerseys Connecticutt and New England for assistance but to no purpose, Virginia sent ^100
to deliver the Indians in their names to ty the old kind' friendship but wanted orders from the
Crown for assisting Us and the rest without Government can do nothing, we have made
application to Coll Coply since his arrival, no answer as yett, We can make now but 200 men
to keep Garison at Albany, who are to be there five months, from the first of this ins' and 300
more at least are necessary to continue there during this War.

Upon a late Alarm and Intelligence of the Governor of Canada's approach with 600 men
to attacque that place and 200 more with a thousand Indians to attacque our Sinacks, most of
the Inhabitants were ready to desert, The Commander in Cheif is gone thither in person
with the readiest of the Militia and we are sending up more dayly as they come in, he witii
the Councill have been obliged to engage their personall Creditt for money to defray the
charge of this present expedition thither, the Creditt of the Revenue not being suificient, we
desired our neighbours to afibrd us some men upon this Pinch at our own Charge, but they
flattly denied us assistance. Last year we were at the expence of 700" presents to the Indians
and this year 500" more, yet find them very cold and indifterent occasioned by their being
neglected during the disorders of Leisler, our present poverty and the high Prizes of goods
We hope his honors pi-esence with the Militia gone up to attend liim and the Country Planters
circumjacent will prove effectual to divert the Government of Canada this Season, the
subjects here are so poor and so burthened by the maintenance of that Garrison that every
supply for its reinforcement seems the last that we can possibly make whilst our Neighbours
on both sides without Law rob us of all our Trade by paying no duties are at no expence, yet
owe their lives and fortunes to the Protection of that Garison. Therefore we pray you Sir
take our conditions into your consideration and y^ danger that may accrue to their Majesties
Interest in Virginia and Maryland by the loss of that Post and that you would recommend the
same to their Sacred ISIajesties and to p''cure their letters mandatory to our neighbours of
Virginia, Maryland, and New England for their assistance and supply of men and money
towards the defence of Albany, and that Pensilvania the three lower Counties of Delaware
the Jerseys and from the west side of Connecticutt River may be annexed to this Province as
formerly which we beleive will prove an effectuall means to secure themselves and their
Majesties Interests on this main from danger and make us capable of disabling and destroying
the Enemys which is humbly submitted by Honb'^ Sirs

Your most humble Serv"

Frederick Phillips S. Cortlaxdt

William Bayard S. ]Minviell.

New York the J° Lawrence Chid Brook

30"" May 1692 W Nicholls

' "The old Knot of friendship." A^ew-York Colonial Manuscripts, XXXVIII. — Ed.

838 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Proprietor's of East Jersey to tlie Board of Trade.

[ Ncw-Tork Papers, III. E. IS]

The Proprietors of East Jersey having in obedience to your Lordships comand met and
considered what force they can raise for defence of their Province and how far they can assist
New Yorke in case of an invasion do humbly represent to your Lo??^

That they have sent Instructions to the Governo"' of their Province to raise the Militia
forthwith, to take care that they have good arms and ammunition, to exercise them often, and
to be always in a readiness to guard the sea coasts, and other places of the Province exposed
to their enemies.

That they will endeavour and have recomended it to the Generall Assembly and inhabitants
of their Province, that in case New Yorke shall be invaded by the French, such part of the
Militia of East Jersey shall be sent to the Assistance of New Yorke as can be spared without
exposing East Jersey to a descent of the French by sea, to which by its scituatiou upon large
navigable rivers, it lyes very open ; but the said Governour and Proprietors, being advised by
their Councell that they have no power by law to compell any of their Militia to march out of
the Province of East Jersey ; dare not engage for any certaine Quota to assist New Yorke, lest
they should be answerable for all the ill consequences that may attend the disappointment of
such an undertaking

Dan. Coxe

By the Consent and Order

of the other Proprietors

Prcyprietors of West Jersey to Governor Fletcher.

[ New-Tork Papers, III. E. 15.]

London primo June 1692
Sir.

D"" Coxe having sold us his interest in West Jersey and together with the land the hereditary
government thereof; and understanding their Majesties have conferred upon you the governm'
of New Yorke; doe think ourselves obliged to congratulate y"" accession to that hon'''' imploy,
and account ourselves happy in having soe good a neighbour whose prudence and integrity will
we are perswaded secure us from apprehensions of those mean artifices [that] have been
employed by proceeding Governors or their ministers to incroach upon our just right and legall
priveliges.

Sir wee shall realye manifest our respects to your Excellency upon ace' of your personal
virtues and pay all due deference to the carrecter their Majesties have given you, which all
persons who have the hapiness to know you assure themselves and others you will worthily
sustaine.

We have ordered all persons under our jurisdiction to be assisting to you in promoting the
comon defence in case of general danger; which happening to be soe extraordinary as to call

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. 839

for your personal assistance into our Province, wee have given orders tliat during your stay
there you have the cheif comand of all our militia.

And as wee believe all the North Continent in America under their Majesties most auspicious
goverment will be benefitted by the happy influences of your good conduct in warr, and
administration of justice in time of peace; so wee promise ourselves in perticular as being
your more immediate neighbours your friendly assistance and advice. Wee are

Sir
Your Excellencys most obedient Sarvants

Edm. Harison
B' Hackshaw John Turin

MoRD. Abbott W" Wightman

Dan. Coxe
James S' John

Indorsed

The Copy of a letter from the Proprietors
of West Jersey in America to Coll. Fletcher
received att Deal the 7"" of June 1692.

Rec'' from Coll. Fletcher from
Deal 9 June 1692. with a letter
wherein he says he had rec'^ the
original by the hands of the Govern''
of New Jersey

Instructions to the Deputy Governor of West Jersey.

[New- York Papers, III. E. 16.]

Instructions from the Govern"' and Propriet" of West Jersey to their Deputy
Governour concerning the Militia of that Province.

Whereas the security of our said Province in this time of war depends next to the
Providence of Almighty God upon a well regulated Militia and an union with the neighbour
Colonies for their mutual defence against a common enemy in case of an invasion made upon
any of them. —

1 You are therefore assoone as these Instructions arrive forthwith to raise the militia of our
Province to take care that they have good arms and ammunition, and to exercise them often,
that they may be expert at the use of their arms, and be ready to march at your Summons.

2. That when an invasion of any neighbour Colony shall require assistance from our
Province, you shall take care to send a number of our militia proportionable to the assistance
sent by any neigbour Colony, and to retain such number of our militia at home as may be
sufficient to preserve our own Province in case of a descent made upon it by sea, to which by
its scituation upon navigable rivers it lyes much exposed.

3. That when any part of our Militia march into a neighbour Province in case of any invasion

840 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

you comaiid them yourself, or put tliera under the immediate command of some otlier Officers
inhabitants of West Jersey, subject to the Govern'' of the Province into wliicli they shall
march ; unless their Maj"'" Govern'' of New York with his forces, shall be there. In such case
you are to observe the orders of their Maj"" Governo"' of New York during his stay.

4. You are likewise forthwith to call a Generall Assembly of the said Province to concert
such further measures as may be found necessary for the better preservation thereof and in
perticular to raise a fund for the maintenance of such part of the Militia as shall be ordered to
march into any neighbour Colony where the invasion of our enimies shall require their
assistance.

[Similar instructions, mutatis mutandis, were given by the Proprietors of East Jersey to Colonel Andrew Hamilton, their
Governor there. E. 17. — J. R. B.]

Pro2)o-sition.s of the Commander-in-Chiff to the Five Nations.

[Board of Trade Papers, New-York, III.]

Propositions made by the Honb'^ Major Rich"' Ingoldesby, Commander in Cheife
of Their Majesties Province of New York to the Sachims of the Five
Nations or Cantons Westward, viz' the Maquaes, Oneydes, Onnondages,
Cayouges, & Sinnekes, in the Citty Hall of Albany the sixth day of June
in the fourth yeare of their Majesties Reigne Annoq Dni 1692.

Present — The Commander in Cheife Evert Banker,

Major Peter Schuyler John Bleeker,

James Graham Esq: Att: Gen' John Lansing,

Dirck Wessells Recorder. Gerritt Ryerse,

Capf Schaick, John Abeel. Aldermen.

Brethren. I am come hither to manifest the good affection I have for the Brethren and
likewise to view the posture of this place, that I may take effectual care to secure it from the
designes of the Enemy, having for that purpose ordered considerable forces heither that the
Brethren may perceive with what vigour and Zeal I prosecute the warr against their as well
as our inveterate and irreconciliable Enemyes.

You are not insensible of the contract and agreement which was made last year with
the late Gov"' and the Brethren of the Five Nations in this house about an expedition to
Canida, which was great charge to us and soe farr successful, that it prevented the Euemye's
march into Brethren's Country, who were then ready to invade them if the courage of our
Men had not diverted, in which engagement we lost several Men, which we must blame the
Brethren for, in not performing their promise in sending the Indians of the four upper Nations
down Cadaracqui River to meet our people at Prarie de Magdalena, soe that instead of being
eight or nine hundred, we were forced to engage the Enemy with two hundred and fifty ; for
the future you are therefore to performe whatever contract or agreem' you make with us.

I am truly greived to understand the greate losse the Brethren had last winter at Cadaracqui

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VIII. "g^I

but at the same time must tell the Brethren that it was their own fault, for had they proceeded
with that number of men they carryed with them to Cadaracqui and not delay the time so
long whereby the Enemy got advertisement of their coming they would not only have secured
themselves but distroyed all tlie party of the Enemy that surprized the small number of JMen
the Brethren sent.

1 must therefore exhort the Brethren that for the future thej^ be more carefull and
expeditious and that since the Brethren are sensible they have to doe with a diligent Enemy,
it is of the greatest import to them that can be to watch the Enemys motions, and at all times
to be in such a posture that the Enemy may take no advantage but on the contrary the
Brethren should soe pursue and alarme them in their owne Country that* they might not have
a hole to creep in.

I have thoughts, soe soon as the rest of the Forces doth come up to garrison again the two
Out-posts of the Jialfe Moon and Cauastaguione as I have already Schenectady, that we may
have Scouts abroad every day for the securing of the people for it is a shame, that such small
partyes of the Enemy sent, should doe that hurt to us and the Brethren, as to kill and take
our people captive, soe neere the Towne and the Brethren soe neer their Castles ; how the
Brethren comes to neglect soe great a point in warr as to have Scouts continually ranging
neere the Lake to watch the Enemys motion, I know not, but were our Christians soe well
acquainted and accustomed to the woods as the Brethren are, there should not be a day but I
would have scouts abroad to distroy that course of the Enemyes and I hope the Brethren will
be so carefull in this point, that upon the least motion of the Enemy, upon this side of the
Lake, I may have timely notice, that the Enemy may have no advantage agains us by surprize,
and since the Enemy has showed us the way, must desire the Brethren to send partys continually
into the Enemys Countr}^ to keep them in alarm and to revenge the hurt lately done us.

I also understand that the Enemy has not forgot their old tricks but Endeavour by spreading
of false Reports amongst the Brethren as if they were inclined to a peace, which is nothing
but their old artifice thinking thereby to lull the Brethren asleep and to mine and distroy
them at once, when they have peace in their mouths they have warr in their hearts as all their
former dealings with the Brethren sufficiently witnesse and the late crueltyes to the Brethren
are so fresh in our memoryes that I need only tell you that greater perfidiousnesse was never
acted by Men than they did, to the Brethren last winter, when after quarter given they
murdered the Brethren against the Laws of warr and Nations by which the Brethren may see
what credit is to be given to such Enemyes.

It is all our Interest to prosecute this warr against the French which we are now engaged
into and you see how forward we are that we neither grudge the expence nor the blood that is
imployed against the Brethrens Enemyes and it is in vain to think of any cessation much
lesse of a peace so long as the Kings at home doe warr ; I must therefore desire you to
awaken your courage and lose no opportunity in revenging the blood we have lately lost we
having dispatched already some forces by sea to anoy them that way, soe that they may' have
noe rest until they are in their graves.

Our Brethren in Virginia are very ready to assist us and only want orders from our great
King and Queene at home for the doing of it which is daily expected ; in the mean time they
have desired us to acquaint the Brethren that they will ever maintaine that Chaine of Covenant
between the Brethren and them, and desire that the Brethren would now renew the said
Covenant and continue firme in keeping the same.
Vol. in. lOG

842 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

We hear, two Indians, a Sinneke and a Maquasse who were prisoners amongst the
Dionondadees are sent home aod bring news, that that Nation hath denyed the Gov'' of Canida
to joyne with the French against the Sinnekes, for that they had been drunk in their
understandings hitherto but were now better informed and would not meddle with the warr
against the Brethren, but the Fi'ench might proceed if they would ; if this be true, we desire
that all meanes may be used to make peace with tliat Nation which will nuich weaken the
French & strengthen the Brethren and be of good service for this Govern' in which affair we
will joyne and contribute for your peace and security.

Was given to the said Five Nations :

S. pieces of Duft'elJs — 400"* Powder, — 700"" lead — IG doz : stockings — G grosse of pipes —
lOO't' Tobacco — 72 shirts — 100 loaves bread — 50 Gallons Kumm in 25 Runletts — 1 Ox.
2. barrels Beer.

Besides presents given to the Sachems privately.

AxswEu of the Five Nations of Indians called : the Maquaes, Oneydes,
Onnondages Cayouges and Sinnekes, to the Hon''"' ftlajor Rich'' Ingoldesby
Commander in Cheife of their Majesties Province of New Yorke att the
Citty Hall of Albany the sixth day of June 1692.

Oheda the cheife Sachem of Onej^de, Speaker,

Brother Corlaer ; We the Sachems of the Five Nations, have with great attention heard
Corlaer speake and have noticed well, what has been said, and we desire you to note this our
observation intending to make a short reciteall thereof and then make our answer thereunto in
order.

1. We heartily thank Corlaer for his presence at this place to view the strength thereof, and
likewise for the forces he brought along with him and alsoe for his resolution to garrison the
Half Moon and Cannastagione, when the other forces come as he hath already done to
Schenectady and doe give thi'ee Beavers and a Belt of wampum.

2. And as for the Contract and agreement that was made last year between the late Govern"'
and us relating to our assisting w'ith a force to joyne with you in your expedition to Canida
wherein you say you lost some of your men, which we expect cannot be imputed to our neglect,
nor can you justly blame us for it since it was God's will and providence that hath so ordered
it, therefore doe not let us accuse one another in this matter, such practices not savouring well
among Friends — this being an unnecessary check, give nothing to this proposition.

3. Brother Corlaer. Be you therefore satisfyed in the losse of your ]\Ien at Canida since
you speak only of the losse of the Christians and take no notice of the losse of our Brethren
the Maquaes who were killed at that time, we would have been here ere now to condole the
death of your men but the warr imployed us soe at home in our own country, that we could
not be spared to come abroad. Doe give 5 Beavers; 4. Otters & 1. Belt.

4. Brother Corlaer. We are all subjects of our great King and Queen, and are all one heart
one Blood; on interest and all engaged in one Warr ; we therefore desire that you may take
care that we doe not want Ammunition, since we are engaged in and doe continue the warr
for your sakes and for your interests and avoid the makeing of a peace, which we could doe
very advantageously; let us then not want ammunition and other necessarys during this
warr, for we depend thereon, give 10 Beavers

LONDON DOCUMENTS: Vlll. 843

5. You tell us, that we must not expect any peace with Canida see long as the Kings are at
warr in Europe ; Brother Corlaer, that you may perceive with what aiTection we espouse
Corlaers interest and how easily we are ledd by him against our own advantage, who can be
the only loosers by the continuance of the warr, we now lay all these thoughts aside and tell
you, that we are glad to hear you say see and heartily thank you for that expression ; we joyne
with you in that resolution, hopeing to be fully revenged, having lost many of our people ; we
will therefore prosecute the warr, with all imaginable vigour, and doe now pray you to doe the
same, for you are strong, have many people, and a great King who is able to hold it out ; we
decline daily' having lost many of our people in this warr, yet we will doe our outmost
endeavour to destroy the Enemy, we cannot but admire, that since our great King is so
inveterate ag^' our irreconcilable Enemy the French, that the powder is here so dear and soe
small a quantity sold for a Beaver. Our circumstance is such that we never had greater
occasion for powder and lesse able to purchase it and all this because we have not time to hunt
for the warr, yet it cannot be wanted and hope some care will be taken to remedy this, give

eight Feavers.

6. You desire us to secure the Frontiers here & to goe into the Enemys Country and keep
them in a constant alarm, that they may not have a hole to creep in, and never to be at rest
until they be in their graves. We the Five Nations doe goe forthwith and will auoy the
Enemy in their Country, but you doe not tell us that you will send any of your people along
with us. give 8 beavers.

7. You tell us that our Brethren in Virginia are willing and ready to assist us in this general
war, but only stays for orders from our Great King and Queen, and also that they doe now
renew the Covenant Chaine with us. We the Five Nations called Maquaes, Oneydes,
Onnondages, Cayouges and Sinnekes, doe now renew that silver chaine of friendship we have
with our Brethren of Virginia and shall keep that same inviolable soe long as the sun shines
in the firmament, and we doe expect since that we are Brethren linked together in one Chaine,
that they will take effectual care and send assistance to this place in this time of Sxtreamity,
when there is so much occasion for it, and we doe not doubt but our great King and Queen
will dispatch orders for that purpose, doe give ten Beavers.

Rode the Cheife Sachem of the Maquaes rose up and said :

But Brother Corlaer, we are strangely surprised that amongst all our Brethren the subjects
of our Great King and Queen and formerly linked in the same Chaine of Covenant with us.
there is none but our Brethren in Virginia, that offers their helping hand in this time of Warr,
that the two great Kings in Europe are engaged in. Pray Corlaer what is the matter, how
comes Maryland, Delaware River and New England to be disengaged from this warr, smce
you have always told us they were our Brethren and subjects to our great King, p' case our
great King sold them, or have they fallen from their obedience, or doe they draw their arm
out of the Covenant chaine, or does the Great King in Europe command that the few subjects
which he has in this Prov^^ shall only wage and maintaine the warr against the French ; pray
discover to us this mistery; for how can they and we be Brethren and not be of one family,
and how can they and we be subjects to our great King and Queen, and not engaged m the
same warr and render the same obedience, and how can they and we have but one heart and
blood and one interest and not have the same thoughts ; how comes the Enemy to burn the
Towns and destroy the people in New England and they make no resistance, and how comes

844 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

our great King and Queen to make warr and will not distroy his Enemy, when it is soe easy
when the Brethren were united ; let them Corlaer acquaint our Great King and Queen, that if
he has a minde to conquer his Enemy, he is only to command all his suhjects that were
formerly linked into the same chaine of Covenant with us to unite to prosecute the warr, and
then it will not take a dayes time to root out the French from this Land of America. Come
then and we will show you the way to overcome, doe give two Belts of Wampum.

Then Oheda the Oneyde Sachem rose up and said.

8. You warned us just now of the desceit and treachery of the French who would probably
insinuate a peace with us, hut Brethren, you need not fear us, we will never hearken to them
but we must declare that we have not been without our jealousyes of your being inclined to a
peace, .the French having often spread abroad such reports as if he had concluded the matter
with you, but we see it is only their policy to raise jealousyes among ourselves, which we
never designe to regard any more, therefore rest satisfied in that particular we will not trust
them, but fight them so long as we live. Cave a Belt of Wampum.

9. We renew the old Covenant and plant the Tree of welfare and friendship, which we
desire may grow and thrive and spread itself beyond Canida. Give a Belt of Waiupum.

10. We doe keepe this house where all matters of import are transacted clean, that is that
our old friendship may endure forever. Give five Otters.

11. We return you hearty thanks for the presents & for the powder and lead given us, but
what shall we do with it without gunns? it will not kill the Enemy by throwing it at them,
with our hands. We were used to have gunns in former times; it is no wonder, the Gov' of
Canida gains upon us, for he supplyes his Indians, both, with gunns, powder and lead, and all
other necessaryes plentifully, give 5 Otters.

12. Concerning the Dionoudadees,' setting two Indians at lil)erty and their inclinations to
peace, its true there are two Indians come, one a Sinneke, the other an Indian to whom he
was given, both came but not with the advice of the Sachems of the Nation but only a
particular thing done by the Dionondadee to whom the Sinneke was given, and you may be
assured soe soon as we have the opportimity to make an honourable peace with that Nation,
we will imbrace it. Give a Belt of Wamp :

13. We desire the blacksmith's Anvill that is at Onondage may remaine there, and that
there may be a Smith permitted to goe and live there for the mending of our arms, and not to
goe away againe so soon as they have Traded, as the other Smith did. give 9 matters,' 1.
Fisher. 1 Hespan^ and two drest deer skinns.

14. Brother Corlaer, We desire you to take care of our Interpreter, that she may have a
sufficient maintenance, she is our mouth, and takes great care to give you the true seuce of our
meaning, for if we should want her, it would cause a great confusion. Give her two Beavers.

Rob* Livingstone
a true copy '

M. Clakkson Secretary.

' Si'o note, auto 443. ' i. e. Marteus. ' Riiecoon. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 845

Commander-in-Chief to the Dale of Bolton.

[Xew-Tork Papers, III. O. 12.]

Fort William Henry

June 22"'' 1G92
May it plea.se Your Grace

This comes accompanying copies of all my former Ires to Yo"' Grace since my last of 28""
of April last nothing new has occurred but that I have been obliged to go in person to Albany
with the readyest of the Militia upon an alarm from the French where I remained about a
month and put all things there in as good a posture of defence as the small forces there would
permitt upon further discovery I returned to New Yorke where I met the news of what hath
happened of clamour and stir by the fugitive relations of Leisler I am sorry for the trouble
given to yo' Grace on my account and value Yo"" Graces Friendship therein above anything
that I shall ever be able to recompense in this world it is agreeable to that goodnesse and
affection which I allwayes found Yo-- Grace to favour me withall. I must begg Yo' Graces
pardon to believe that their Mat'" and Council must needs be sensible of the guiltinesse of
those rogues, If it were possible for their Mat"" at that distance to view the oppression and
affliction that many good protestant familys groan under in this Country without any hopes of
satisfaction all occasioned by the barbarityes of that traitour and his followers they would
quickly order their Estates & forfeitures to goe for their relief from the arrivall of Governour
Sloughter until his death I medled with nothing above the private station of my Company
saving my being one of the last of the Commission for the trial and condemnation of Leisler
and since Govern"- Sloughters death have behaved with all the moderation imaginable have
meddled with nothing lesse or more concerning the prisoners but have endeavoured and
have in a great measure effected a composition and oblivion of the former heats and
misunderstandings amongst the ignorant whatever they have falsely alledged against me
which every one here can witnesse.

May it please Your Grace

I must begg leave to acquaint you that since my coming out of England I have not had one
farthing of my pay there was ^£1,100 sent over to Governour Sloughter to pay the two
Companys which he hath wholly converted to his own use and £bQQ was advanced to him by
our agent in England to help him out for which I learn he now stopps our pay every thing
here is a Centie dearer then in England soe that I must leave the place or starve since the
Government is disposed to another, I am not offended at their Ma«^' pleasure nor shall I count
my life too dear to expend in their service in the meanest station whatsoever but Yo"- Grace
knows what I have suffered for their Ma"<^= and how faithfully I have served them in Holland
and Ireland and in a higher quality being a field officer.

I must .therefore beg Yo"- Grace's patronage and assistance in something that Yo"- Grace will
find for my advantage have noe other dependance then Your Grace's favour which I will never
forfeite while I live and believe it sufficient if I cannot at least be appointed Lieutenant
Governour upon the arrival of the new Governour I must begg liberty to leave this place I will
choose rather to serve their Ma"- anywhere else in the meanest station tlian that the people

846 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

here should see nie exposed who are generally my well wishers and know the good service I
have done tiieir Ma"" in this Country I shall not weary W Grace with a nuiltitude of words
but with my prayers for Yo'' Grace take leave to write myself

Your Grace's most devoted
most obliged humble and obsequious servant

Rich: Ingoldsby.

Governor Fletelier to Mr. Blatlnvayt.

[New-Turk Enlric-s, III. 1.]

York in America lO"- Sept 1692
Sir,

On Tuesday the twenty eight of August I arrived in the Wolf att Sandy Point,
York the 30th of oil Moiiday Eveuiiig dropt Anchor under the Fort, and Tuesday the thirtieth by

eight in the Morning was received ou shoar by the Councill INIajor Aldermen
and other Majestrates of the place, the Militia in Arms and other usuall Order Ceremony of
Acclamations and Firing &c being first conducted to the Fort, the Councill Chamber was sett
open and their Majesties Letters Patents read M'' Phillips and the rest of the Councill did

administer to them severallj?, then wee proceeded in the like Order to the
cimiss'irtbi'Lrae Citty hall, where the Letters Patents were again Publish"* which was followed
"^"^ with tlie like Ceremony of Acclamations and firing, my first business was to

perform their Majesties special commands concerning the prisoners &c

I found that Assembly called by Gov"" Slaughter sitting to provide for Albany

next Winter which I did till they made and End, to gain time and then dissolved
The iievcnue In- them. I fouiid the Reveuue very much indebted, Sever" Sums of money taken

debtfd & money '' •^

JSsonan&eliu upoii the persoiiall Credit of the Councillors att ten per Cent interest to serve
of the counceiors ^ ^^^^ ^l^g Trade is much decayed the Lihabitants Generally discouraged and
wearied with the support of Albany, which is realy most unjustly left on their Shoulders whilst
their Neighbours on both sides, once a part of themselves are att large, which I am Confident is
the only cause of all our Complaints whilst we have the burthen they have the Trade and
profitt, which will draw people after it when the other drives them. Taxes and detachments
following one upon another, the remaining part are left to bear the whole burden.
A new Assembly ^ havc Called a new Assembly to get the Revenue out of Debt, but am much

TUformer Taxes discouragcd by the slowness of the coming in of the former taxes, the first
not yet paid whereof not yet paid, I have issued out my warrants for the Payment of the

Arrearages that those who have served and subsisted the Forces at Albany may have somewhat
to fill their hands again and save our Creditt.
„. ., ..^ S"' if their Majesties dont take some care to ease tliis Province, I cannot tell

1 he address of the '^

Mntaiiv'es^hoT^" what will bccome of itt nor where to find my own Sallary. How this Province

harbee'n dimi'n-"'^ is dimiuisli'd and impaired will appear in an Address of the Councill and

Representatives to their Majesties. The scituation of the River Canada from

North East to South West hath made in the Frontier to cover Virginia and Maryland and why

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. I§47

they are Excused from our Assistance I cannot think unless it be tlie want of true infonnation
or the JNIultiplicity of other weighty Affairs since these Colonys are but one step further
removed from that Colony by which Evidently threatns us, and the Revenue of the Crown so
nearly concerned I am

Your most humble faithful! &■=

Benjamin Fletcher

Governor Fletclxer to the Earl of Nottingham.

[SewYork Enlries, lU. 23.]

New York 10"' September 1G92.
My Lord

I am yet in tlie darke as to the Perticular Circumstances of this Province, on the 30"" of
August I landed and their Majesties Commission was Published, with Appearance of as much
Joy and as loud Acclamations as could be Expressed.

The two parties seem implacable and those who suffered by the violence of Leslier are
suing those who acted by his Commission to their prejudice, as imprisoning or forceing away
their Goods this invetteracy on both sides weakens us very much, and obstructs their
Maj" Service. I have in obedience to her Majesties Command in Councill discharged att
Recognizance taken on the score of Leisler and superceded all proceedings. Yet the Persons
who were real Sufferers by that violence do bring their Actions at Law, and unless a Pardon
will come over, I doubt they will soe weaken each other, that wee may become a Prey to our
Enemys.

I find the people Generaly very Poor and the Government much in debt, occasioned by the
mismanagement of those who have Exercised the Kings Power, and the necessity of Carrying
on this Warr by the Militia and Indians, the last are a people I should never employ in Anns,
But it is the French way on their side, and we must fight them at their own weapon, we have
an Account of Two thousand French Recruits, and all necessary Provisions of warr in 14
Vessells sent this Sum'' to Monsieur Frontiniack who commands in Canada, this the Prisoners
wee lately took informe us, I am now Marching 300 Militia to our Frontiers whei-e they shall
be posted this winter, but it appears to me utterly impossible for this single Province to support
the warr another Year.

I have sent M'' Blathwayt an Account of the charge which this People have been at for the
defence of their neighbours, so much as their selvs for if this Province be run down which is
most in the Center, of their Majesties Territories in these Parts, the best must follow the same
in all humane appearance.

M'' Joseph Dudley and M'' William Pinhorn of the Councill here being removed out of the
Province and so neither serviceable to their Majesties by their Advice or Estates, I have
suspended them till their Majesties Pleasure be known, one of these was made judge the other
Recorder which brings in some few pence, but in my humble thoughts those who bear no part
burthen should eat no share of our bread and one M"^ Graham being recommended by their

NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

LoPi" of the Committee to the place of recorder, I have put him in it, and one INI'' Smith of
this Council an able man and stanch in his Principles, I purpose to make Judge if M' Dudley-
will not reside, I have not yet seen him, he lives at Boston 400 miles from hence, my whole
design is their Majesties Service by my utmost endeavours to reconcile the differences. Heal
the Breaches and support so far as I am able, a drooping and discouraged People.

The Sloops of warr sent by W Sloughter are much Embezled, T send the account to M''
Blathwayt The Fort decaying, the house out of Repair Scarcely habitable

I humbly beg your Lordships favourable construction of my Actions, and that your Lordship
will beleive me ever

My Lord

Your Lordships &'^

Benjamin Fletcher.

Governor Fldclier to Mr. BlatJiwayt.

[ New-York Entries, HI. 10. ]

New York 10 September 1G92
Sir

You will see by the papers Transmitted to you from the Couucill and assembly the present
state of this Province my short time here will allow me to add nothing to them A divided
contentious impoverished people I find them, my Endeavours are not wanting to compose but
find neither Party will be satisfied with less than the necks of their Adversaries, I do not
despair of bringing them to better understanding it must be the work of some time.

Yet I can' see how the single Province much [reduced] from its former bounds will be able to
support it self another year, under the load of Taxes laid on it for the Carrying on a War with
Canada, I do heartily wish some way might be found to carry on that Warr with more life and
briskness. By the pardoning and uniting these People.

S'' the Albrough Ketch is here a great charge to their Majesties but no advantage to the place
she has not force to fight nor heels to run, she rides in harbour till worme eaten, a light S""
rate would be of great use and answer the Charge.

S' I can answer but few heads of my Instructions in so short time. But finding W Joseph
Dudly and M"" Winhorn both of the Councill, the one Cheif Justice the other Recorder, and
both non resident one living in New England the other in the Jerseys, I have suspended
them till their Majesties Pleasure may be known, M"" Graham being Recorder by the Charter
and Recomended to that place by the Lords of the Committee viz' But put out by M' Sloughter
and kept out by Maj'' Ligoldsby I have restored him and design to make M"' Smith Judge if
M"" Dudley will not reside, I have not yet seen that Gentleman, but it seems hard to me, that
such as will neither Assist us by their advice or Estates, should support themselves by the
offices of some little profit in this province and spend that money in another.

Some Prisoners lately taken informe us that the Governor of Canada M'' Frontiniack has
this Sum'' received a Recruit of 2000 men from France with all Necessaries for Warr in fourteen
ships, I cannot Credit this but if it be so I shall hope to give him warm Entertainment, if the
People here will be perswaded to unite.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : YIII. :%49

I am releiving Our Frontiers and soon as I can put things in anj^ Method, begin my Joutney
thither, but send the releif forthwith I can hardly perceive the difference betwixt Lesslers
Management, and since the Councell complain of Major Ingoldsby, he has carried things with
a high hand, received Sever" Sums of Money without a Concurrance in the Counc" of which I
can yet have no Ace", But I must not suffer such things as M"" Slaughter did, and that Gent,
must act otherwise then he has yet done, I am S''

Your most humble Serv'

Bexj: Fletcher.

OhjectiotLs against the Government of Connecticut.

[New-York Pai>ers. III. E. 8.]

Some objections against the p''scnt p'"tended governm* in Connecticott in N.
England in America.

Humbly tendered to consideration
Sept. 16. 1692. by Edward Palms

Will. Rosewell.

Greshem Bulkely
This comes from the Free-houlders
in that Collony to me

(signed) Ben: Fletcher

Some objections against y'' p'"sent p'tended Gov"' in Connecticott, humbly tendered
to consideration.

AUthough in order to a resolution of y*" case it hath been rep'sented to his Ma'y* Attorney
Gen" and Sollicito'' Gen" that in y"' yeare 16S7 S'' Edmond Andross did by comission from y*
late King James invade y' libertyes of y^ people in y"^ Colony of Connecticott and exercise a
Gov"' over them contrary to theire Charter, which they most unwillingly submitted unto ; but
since y* late happy Revolution in England, y' people of Connecticott have chosen a Gov'' and
Assistants according to theire Charter, & doubt not but that they have a legall right to theire
former priviledges : yet this is (in o'' opinion) altogether false, as (we think) would clearely
appeare, if we had time now to relate y" manner of that transaction at large. C very late &
short notice of y'^ ships speedy sailing from N. Yorke confines us to a breife narration of o""
objections against y"^ p''scnt p''tended Gov"' in Connecticott.

In y" yeare 16S7. the officers of y'^ Corporation of Connecticott (having all y" power then in
theire hands & having frequently consulted theire Gen" Assembly) voluntarily svd)mitted
themselves and brought y*" people under y*' Kings nnediate gov"' erected (with theire consent)
by S"' Edmond Andross. The Corporation let fall their Charter-Gov"' & omitting their annuall
election in 16SS extinguished it. All y* late officers of the Corporation tooke comissions from
y' crowne, by & under S'' Edmond Andross, & exercised that Gov"' over us, & in his Ma'"''
name required o'' obedience to them therein ; which we willingly yeelded, as o'' duty to y"^
Crowne required.

Vol. III. 107

850 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

And by this means we came to understand and enjoy more of y" lawes & libertyes of free &
naturall English subjects than ever we had done under y' Charter-Gov"'

In y' yeare 1689. on May 9"" a faction of y' freemen of y" Corporation of Connecticott
unlawfully assembled & y' late Corporation officers (though now under other comissions
whereby they now also had almost y*^ whole power of y'^ Colony both civill & military in theire
hands) falling in with them, erected a p'"tended Gov"' of theire owne.

Now concerning this Gov"' we have these things to say. 1. It is not derived from y* Crowne
of England, as appears. This Gov"' is not warranted by y" Charter of King Charles y'' Second ;
for that y^ Charter never gave them power or liberty to erect or create any Gov"' Tiie King
erected a gov"' by his Charter & gave them power to continue it, but never gave them power
to erect a Gov"' In 1GS9 they erected a gov"' In their Addresse wiiich they p''pared on June
13. 16S9 & sent to W Will Whyting of London to be p'sented to His Ma'^ they say them selves
that they were necessitated to j)ut them selves into some forme of Gov"' & that they had
thus p''sumed to dispose themselves not waiting orders from His Ma'^ & do humbly submit
themselves therein and beg his Ma'^" most gracious pardon. So that by theire owne confession
they did then in theire owne intention erect a Gov"'

Indeed they will now say, they did not erect a gov"' but resumed their Charter-Gov"' But
1" How should they resume that which is not"? There was no Char.ter-Gov"' in all y"" yeare
IGSS. not one Corporation officer on INIay 9. 16S9. nor had been of a 12 month, & y* e.xercise of
theire Charter-Gov"' had been discontinued for a longer time.

And 2'^ly. Their Charter never gave them power to resume theire Gov"' The Charter gave
them no power to discontinue y^ exercise of theire Gov"' & then to resume it at pleasure, much
lesse to extinguish desert & abdicate theire Gov"' & then to revive it at their wills. This we
thinke is a great abuse both to y*" King and people. They say also that they have chosen a
Gov"" and Assistants according to theire Charter & that this is done by y"^ body or Major part
of y*' freemen assembled for that purpose &■= but this is all false, for —

1. They can chuse no Gov"" & Assistants according to y= Charter but in a Gen" Court
sumoned by y*' Goa'"" or Dep. Gov"" and consisting of a Gov"" Dep-Gov'' & sixe Assistants at y*
least (sworne according to y*^ direction of y^ same Charter) & of y* deputyes of y'' freemen.
But all y*^ yeare 1GS8 and so on May 9. 1GS9. here was no Gov'' Dep. Gov"" Assistants or
Deputyes to call or hold a Gen" Court or administer y* oaths according to y^ Charter. On
May 9. 1689. all y*" freemen of y" Corporation were (and so for a year at least they had been) but
private men: there was not one Corporation Officer among them, for theire office is but annual!,
& if it be not continued at y* years end, it discontinues & dyes of itselfe. Private men cannot
sumon or hold (any Court much lesse) a Gen" Court, according to y*^ Charter. A Court hath
jurisdiction ; private men have no jurisdiction but are all equall, & par in pare, non habet
potestate : Ea qu.ie sunt jurisdictionis a privata persona possideri non possunt; ea que sunt
pacis, belli, justitia^ ad Corona, pertinent nee ab ipsa possunt separarl, quia faciunt ipsa Corona
sayes Bracton. Therefore on May 9. 1689. there was no Gen" Court ; ergo no election
according to y'= Charter

2 The Charter requires that y' election be annuall at y*" least ; oftner it may be in case of
y*" death or removall of officers ; but aimuall it must be. The Charter doth nowhere warrant
a bienniall election. The election of May 9. 1689. was not an annuall but (if it may be called
an election) a bienniall election : ergo not according to y*^ Charter ; for if y^ Charter will
warrant an election at 2 yeeres end, why not as well at y' end of 10 or 20 yeares?

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 851

3 An election according to y' Charter is not an election weather they will have any Gov
Dep. Gov"' & Assistants according to theire Charter, or not ; nor an election of 3 sorts of Gov"' ; '
but it is an election of a Charter-Gov"" Dep. Gov"' & Assistants onely. The election of May 9.
1689. was an election of 3 sorts of gov"' wherein tliere was a liberty given to y" freemen
wholly to refuse all Charter-Gov"' Dep. Gov"' & Assistants. For there were 3 p"-positions then
made to y'" freemen, to this purpose, viz' 1. Whether tiiey would that those in place when Sir
Edmund tooke y"= gov"' should resume theire place & power as then ; or 2. whether they would
continue y" then p-'sent gov"' or 3. whether they would chuse a Comittee of Safety — Therefore
not according to y" Charter.

4 An election according to y'^ Charter is a free election ; y^ freemen had liberty by y*^ Charter
to chuse or refuse whom y^ will out of y'' freemen. But y" election of May 9. 1689. was not a
free election. They must ehuse these men, or none : that was y« plaine sense of y" 2 first
p'"positions layed together. — If you will chuse us, well & good; if not, you shall chuse none,
but we will maintaine y^ p'"sent gov"' Therefore not according to y' Charter.

5. An election according to y' Charter is to be made & determined by y' vote of y^ major
part of y'^ freemen then & there p''sent, having been lawfully sumoned : But

1 The freemen never had any lawfuU summons to assemble on May 9. 1GS9. for that
purpose ; but only a faction of y^ freemen convened by y^ seditious instigation of some private
persons.

2 The major part of those who did meet for this purpose voted against this resumption in
y* first vote.

3 The second vote whereby this election was made (for y' first vote not satisfying, they
voted twice) was y* vote of yet a smaller party ; & so was not y^ vote of y* major parte of y=
freemen then & there p'sent ; for many would not vote in y' second, who did vote in y" first,
having already by theire vote declared themselves against it. — Therefore not according to y"
Charter. And so this Gov"' is not warranted by y^ Charter of King Charles y' Second; and
indeed if y" Charter will warrant y^ p''ceedings of tliat time, certainly it will warrant any
thing.

2 This gov"' is not warranted by y^ p''clamation of King James y' Second. They seeing
that y" Charter caiiot warrant theire action fly to King James liis p''clamation to help it out, &
say, that by King James y^ Second his p"'clamations to restore Charters, theire Charter,
Corporation, Officers, & freemen, are restored, & upon sight of y"' said p''clamation they
resumed theire gov"' But we say that the Corporation of Connecticott is not restored by
y* p'clamation.

1. Because theire Charter was not surrendered nor rule for judgment entered, nor judgment
entred of record against them. King James his p''clamation restored none but such as (one
or other of) these. He restored not any corporation which had abdicated theire Gov"' w"'out
surrender or judgment ; or so much as a I'ule for judgment against them, as y' Corporation of
Connecticott had done.

2. Because y' Corporation of Connecticott is no corporation of & in any City towne or
borough in y^ Kingdome of England, Dominion of Wales, or Towne of Berwicke upon Tweed.
The p''clamation is expressly limited to these.

3. Because they did not resume (or rather assume) theire Gov"' before May 9. 1GS9. which
was after Feb'' 13. 1688. & then King Jiimes his p''clamation was out of date, & could restore
no Charters or Corporations.

852 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

4. Because tliey did not pursue y^ direction & authority of y"" said P"'clamation. For 1. they
did not publish it, wliereby y* Corporation officers & freemen (& others also) might know theire
liberty or duty. 2. They did not act as a Corporation & Body Politicke, as y'' said P'clamation
required of all Corporations restored by it. For then 1. the Gov or Dep. Gov"' should have
sumoned y"' freemen to chuse Deputyes for a Gen" Courte & to meete for election on May 9.
1689. according to y** said P''clamation & y*^ Charter. But this was never done

2 They should not have taken theire choice of 8 sorts of Gov"'. The P^'lamation gave no
liberty for any such thing; but this was done; therefore the Corporation of Connecticott is not
restored by King James his P''clamation afores'' nor is this Gov"' warranted by that.

3. This Gov"' is not warranted by any commission grant or license from their p''sent Ma'>"
They made no application to, nor receaved any order or direction from thaire present Ma'^"
before this Gov"' was erected; nor to this day have they received any thing from theire Ma"^"
that might in any wise authorize this Gov"' All that hath yet come to hand which may any
way signify theire Ma"'"' pleasure as to this Colony is theire Ma'^" P''clamation of Feb'' 14"" 16S8
& notice of their Ma'^" comission to Sir WilP" Phipps toucliing y" militia &<= of which by &bye.

Thus the Gov"' not being warranted either by y^ Charter of King Charles y' Second, or by
y"^ P''clamation of King James y'' Second or by any comission grant or license of theire p'"sent
Ma'^'''^ & so not being derived either from theire p''sent Ma'^" or any of theire Royall Predecesso''s.
(by this induction) it appeares that this Gov"' is not derived from y" Crowne of England.

2. The second thing that we have to say touching this Gov"' is, That this Gov"" is erected
and exercised in opposition to & contempt of y'' crowne of England. They assumed this
Gov"' on May 9. 1689. & not before. This was after Feb 13. 168S. & they justtty theire so
doing by colo'' of King James his p'"clamation ; asserting that they have received Authority for
it from liini ; which doth more than reiterate that this Gov"' is intentionally erected, not only
without but against y'^ authority of theire p''sent Maj'*""" & so is condemned as opposite to y''
Crowne of England by y^ equity (if not by y'' letter) of y^ statute made Jan^' 27. 1689. in y'=
case of Ireland ; for we are as much annexed & subject to y* Gov"' of the Crowne of England
as Ireland is, we are naturall (leige-bonie subjects, et ubi eade; ratio ibi eade: lex.

But that this Gov"' is indeed erected & exercised in opposition to & contempt of y' Crowne
of England may further appeare

1. Because erected without any application to, or notice of, theire p''sent Ma'^" or other
warrant from y' Crowne as aforesaid.

2. Because this Gov"' doth (and y' intent of it was to) suppresse theire INIa'^'*'' gov"' here
lately erected, and reject theire Ma'>" lawes here lately used & of riglit to be used ; y Gov"'
and lawes of y" Crowne of England.

3 Because against all shadow of reason they lay hold upon King James his p''clamation and
derive theire authority from that as afores'' But y^ p''clamation of theire p''sent Ma'""' of Feb.
14. 1688. (whereof both y' reason & y* letter do extend to us, if we are theire ]\Ia'>" subjects)
they will not obey nor regard.

4. Because whereas by theire law, no men shall be urged to take any oath but such as theire
Gen" Court hath considered allowed and required; they have (as we are credibly informed) in
theire Gen" Court peremptorily refused y' oaths of Supremacy & allegiance required by y«
Statute of Aprill 24. 1689. to be taken by y' direction of that & other statutes, throughout all
y' dominions, & will not take them : whicli is a signall & presumptuous disallowance of y'
said Oaths & Act.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 853

5. Because whereas theire p'sent Ma'^" have lately comissioiiated Sir Will" Phipps Ku' &=
as theire jNIa'^" Leiu' & Comauder in Cheife of y'' Militia and all forces by land & sea, & all
forts and places of strength in Connecticott &.'= yet this Gov"' hath in theire Gen" Court held at
Hartford on y'= aa"* day of June in this present yeare 1692. stiffly & resolutely voted theire
non-submission to S' Will'" Phipps as theire ]Ma«" Lieu' & have signifyed so much to him ;
who thereupon suspends.

What can they do more in opposition to and contempt of y^ Crovvne of England, unlesse
they actually take up arms against theire Ma'^"

3. This Gov"' being thus erected and exercised without & against theire Ma'J" authority &
lawes, & so in opposition to y^ Gov"' of y^ Crowne of England, it is utterly unlawfull &
inconsistent with o"- allegiance to their Ma'J-" for us willingly to submit, p'mise, or yeeld
obedience to it; & so to do will expose us to y guilt & penaltyes of y-^ Statutes of 23 Eliz. 1.
and 3. Jac. 4.

4. Yet they enforce theire authority and Gov"' upon those who never consented, but always
disapproved of theire p''ceedings.

The greatest part of y* people are no freemen of theire Company, & neither have nor can
have any voice in theire affaires : many freemen have dissented and do dissent from these
actions, & as they have managed y" business y" major part is bound by y<= minor. Some, at
first very hot for this Gov"', now grow weary of it ; theire charet-wheeles are taken oft", & they
draw very heavily, yet (being engaged) they will drag on still.

5. The Gov"' now erected & assured is not a Charter-Gov"' but a Supream Gov"'. They
assume all power, legislative & executive in all things ecclesiasticall, civil and military, capitall,
criminall, and comon.

6. This Gov"' in its exercise is an absolute arbitrary and despotic Gov"', regulated by no
laws but by theire owne will & pleasure. The lawes of England are expressly & openly
renounced as that which we have nothing to do with. Theire owne lawes are regarded no
further than will serve y^ p-'sent turne. So that in eftect we have no law but, as they temie it,
will & doonie : hie volo, hie jubeo, &=

Hence, 1. There is no certaine rule of justice for any man, but what y'' Court, or this or that

Gentl" will.

2 Those that disacknowledge this Gov"' may p-'mise themselves injustice & oppression;
loyalty is y' crime of crimes; theire Ma'^* most loyall & obedient subjects are y'' butt of
theire malice ; they are resolved right or wrong to crush those who oppose theire usurped &
tyranicall authority. It would be too long to give instances of y^ justice & oppressions
comitted. Matthew'Paris his complaint may not unfitly be applyed to us : judicia comittuntq ;
injustis, leges e.xlegibus, pax discortantibus justitia injuriosis.

To conclude ; our abuses are incredible, theire Mat^'^ subjects here suffer things very hard
to beare ; and had it not been such a time of generall trouble & confusion in y« world, they
could hardly have been quietly borne thus long. We are but tenants at will of o'^ lives
libertyes lands or goods. Prisons & fines are y^ only arguments of conviction ; none of y-^
best (not to say some of y« worst) of men set up themselves to usurpe and tyrannise over us,
who outlaw us without law, denying us y^ benefit of theire Ma'^'^' lawes, telling us that we
have nothing to do with them; which is all one, in o'" opinion, as if they should tell us that
we have no part in David ; & so we are disinherited of liberty p'-perty, y^ law & o^ King, all
at once. We are English men as well as they, & cannot beare to be thus basely dealt with.
But, which is worst of all, the Throne is made y« footstoole & y" Crowne y^ football of an

854 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

usurping Corporation, & tlieire Ma'^^'' are made y' patrons of all o' injuryes. For all these
things are clone (though without thcire privity & contrary to theire lawes, yet) under colo'' of
their Ma'^" names or service, or both. We are no enemyes to y* just rights of Corporations,
yet we are no Morellians nor Oliverian Republicans, but true friends to y* true legall
English Monarchy, & do acknowldge o"' due subjection to y'' Gov"' of y* Crowne of England-
This is 0'' p'per master whome we are willing to serve, & its lawes to obey ; to this we
stand or fall. We stand at Caesars judgment seat where we ought to be judged, if y* lawe
condemne us, let us be condemned.

" He looked for judgment but behold oppression ; and for righteousness but behold a cry."
Isai. 5. 7.

" The King that faithfully judgcth y^ poore, his tlirone shall be established for ever."
Prov. 29. 14.

God save King William and Queen Mary.

Governor Fletcher to Lord Nottingliam.

[Now-Tork Entries, III. 25. ]

New York SS-* Sepf 1692
My Lord

I had paid my duty to your Lo? in a paper some days since, But the wind not favom'ing our
Ships they are here still, which give me an oppertunity of acquainting your Lordsf witli some
thing from Canada five men making their Escape from thence came to me this day, and being
examined Severally yet all agreeing in the Perticulars, I have caused it to be writt in a better
hand than my own for your LordP' greater ease In reading their informations.

My Lord I am bound to tell your Lordship the King is at some charge in keeping a ketch
here for the Guard of these Coasts She is of no use, a Slug in sailing, all things run from her,
She is of no force neither, so that shee onely rides in Harbor till worm eaten, the Couucill
have desired me not to go up to Albany till things are better settled here, I am dispatching
Detachments thither with such stores as can be spared. I beseech your Lopp send us a Nimble
5"' Rate and wee shall do some good.

I am so well acquainted with the French Braggs they make little impression on me. Yet it
seems Shamefull such a handfull of Vermin Should neast themselves in that place of Canada
when the King has so many Noble Colonies of Brittish on the same Continent as would drive
them all into the Sea, But wee are not united, and Poverty gains every day upon us in this
Province.

My Lord I am now going with all tlie Secrecy I can to take a view of the Frontiers, I shall
best discover then their Condition by coming unexpected I have dispatched and express to New
England with the account I give Your Lordship of the French Designe, the Ship stave for this
letter I am

My Lord

Your Lordships St*^

Ben.tamin Fletcher.

LONDON DOCUMENTS: VIII. 855

Examination of three Prisoners and two Renegades.

[ Neiv-Tork Vafois, III. E. 5.]

New York Sept^ y- 20'i 1092.
The Examination of tln-ee prisoners and two French Runagades that made their
escape from Quebec in Canada and came in this day to me at New York
who were examined severally and concurr in these particulars followuig.

Saith that nine ships arrived att Quebec from France about the twelfth of August last, hath
brought flower, porke, wine, salt, fish, and all sorts of merchandizes, with a supply of all
military stores to the Governor Count Frontiniack, that they saw thirty great guns landed,
twenty pettiraroes, one mortar and three hundred bombs, but noe men. That a new stone
fort is a building now att Quebec and a stone wall a bout the town, of which three hundred
paces already made ten foot high, with seaven bastions all of stone ; for which work the King
of France hath sent fourty thousand livers.

The last summer they had a design to fall upon Albany Shenectady and the Mohax country,
but first to take Shenectady, where they resolved to build a fort, and if no force att Albany to
take that alsoe, and had seaven hundred French men to joyn with a body of Indians for that
purpose; but their designe fail'd.

That the Chevalier d'Eaux is gone to France to give an account to that King of the conditiou
of New York Albany and Boston, how easie they are to be taken.

That the two men of warr which came from France w'" these supplyes, the one a Dutch

square stern'd ship of about five hundred tuns and thirty two guns, and took on board her six

guns att Quebec; the other is a French frigatt of thirty four guns who is Admirall, they have

taken on board five hundred French and what Indians they can find. Att Port Royall and all

other places along the coast they secure what small vessells shallops boats &^ they find, to land

their men, as is suposed by the Examinants, with a design to fall on Wells Isle of Shoales and

Piscataque or some other part of New England.

^ ^ . (signed) Ben: Fletcher.

The Queen to Sir William PMpps. {Circular.)

[New- York Entries, U. 452.]

Mary R
Trusty and Wellbeloved, Wee greet you well Whereas it has been represented unto Us
in Councill [in behalf] of our Province of New York in America, that the same having been at
great expeuce for the preservation and defence of Albany its Frontiers against the French (by
the loss of which Province the Inhabitants of Maryland and Virginia would not be able to live
but in Garison, and having hitherto preserved that Post, the burthen thereby is now Intolerable
to the Inhabitants thereof. We think it reasonable and necessary that our Sev" Colonies and
Provinces of New England, Virginia, Maryland and Pensilvania, should be aiding and assisting
from time to time to the Governor or Commander in Cheif of our said Province of New York

856 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

ill the maintenance and defence of it during the Present War, and accordingly Our Will and
Pleasure is, that u|)on application of the said Governor or Commander in Cheif, you do
immediately send him such aid and assistance in men and otliervvise, for the security of our
said Province from the attempts of the French or Indians as the conditions of the Plantations
under your Government shall permitt. And our farther will and I'leasure is, that as soon as
conveniently may be, you agree with the Gov" of Virginia, Maryland and Pensilvania, unto
whom we have sent the like directions upon a Quota of men or other Assistance to be given
by each Colony or Province, for the Defence of New York as occasion may require the same, and
tiiat you return a speedy account of your Proceedings herein, to the end such further directions
may be given as shall be necessary for securing the Fort of Albany & the Province of New
York from the attempts of our Enemy s in those Parts. And so we hid you fiirewell — Given
at our Court at Wiiitehall this li"' day of October 1G92 — In the fourtli year of our Pteign

By her i\Iat'" Command

NOTTIXGIIAII

Draft of Colonel Fl(:tcher\s Commission as Governor of Pennsylvania.

[Xew-Vork Enlry, H. 403.]

William and ]Mary by the Grace of God King and Queen of England Scotland France and
Ireland Defenders of the Faith &c To our trusty and welbeloved Benjamin Fletcher Esq""
our Capt" General and Governor in Chief of our Province of New York and the Territories
depending thereon in America Greeting Whereas by our Commission under our Great
Seale of England bearing date the eighteenth day of March in the fourth year of our Reign
Wee have constituted [and appointed] you the said Benjamin Fletcher to be our Capt" Generall
& Gov' in Cheif in and over our Province of New York and the Dependancies thereon in
America, & tliereby granted unto you full Power and Authority with the advice and consent
of our Councill as need shall require to sumon and call General Assemblys of the Inhabitants
being Freeholders within our said Province according to the usage of ouf Province of New York.

And that the Persons thereupon duly elected by the Major part of the Freeholders of the
respective Counties and Places and so returned, and having before their sitting taken the
oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of the oaths of Allegiance &
Supremacy and subscribed tlie Test, and without taking and subscribing whereof, none shall
be capable of sitting tho' elected shall be called and held the General Assembly of that our
said Province, and have thereby granted unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher by and with the
consent of our said Councill and Assembly or the Major part of them full Power and authority
to make constitute and ordain Laws Statutes and ordinances for the Publick Peace welfare
and good Government of our said Province and of the People and Inhabitants thereof

W^hich said Laws Statutes and ordinances are to be (as near as may be) agreeable to the
Laws and Statutes of tliis our Kingdome of England

Provided that all such Laws Statutes and Ordinances be within three months or sooner after
the making thereof Transmitted unto us under our Seal of New York for our approbation or
disallowance of the same

LONDON DOC'TTMKNTS: VTTT. Sr)7

And in case any or all of them being not before conlirnied by Us shall at any time be
disallowed and not approved and so signified by Cs our heirs and Successors uifter our or their
sign Manual and Signett or by Order of our or their Privy Councill unto you the said Benjamin
Fletcher or to the Commander in Cheif of our I'rovince of New York ior Ihe time being, then
such and so many of them as shall be so disallowed and not approV' shall from thenceforth,
cease determine @ become utterly void and of none eflect

And to the end that nothing may be passed or done by our said Councill or Assembly to the
Prejudice of Us our heirs and Successors, We have thereby willed and ordained that you the
said Benjamin Fletcher shall have and enjoy a negative Voice in the making and passing of all
Laws Statutes and Ordinances as aforesaid

And that you shall and may likewise from time to time as you shall judge it necessary,
adjourn Prorogue and dissolve all General Assemblys as aforesaid witii full Power and
Authority from time to time by your self or by any other to be authorized by you in that
behalf, to administer and give the oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of
the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy to all and every such person or Persons as you shall
think fitt, who shall at any time or times. Pass into our said Province or sliall be resident or
abiding there

And with the advice and consent of our Said Councill, to erect constitute and establish .
Courts of Judicature and Publick Justice within our said Province, for hearing and determining
of all Causes as well criminal as civill according to Law and Equity and for awarding of
Execution thereupon, with all reasonable and necessary Powers authorities Fees @ Priviledges
belonging unto them as also to appoint and coramissionute fitt Persons in the Severall parts of
our said Province to administer the Oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead
of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy and the Test, unto such as shall be obliged to
take the same

And also to constitute and appoint Judges Justices of the Peace and other necessary officers
and Ministers in our said Province, for the better Administration of Justice and putting the
Laws in Execution, and to administer or cause to be administred such Oath or Oaths as are
usually given for the due Execution and performance of Offices and Places and for the Clearing
of Truth in Judiciall Causes

And whereas we judge it necessary that all our Subjects may have liberty to appeal to our
Royal Person in Civill Causes that may deserve the same We have thereby further signified
Our Pleasure that if either Party shall not rest satisfied with the Judgment or Sentence of the
Superior Courts of our Said Province they may then appeal unto Us in our Privy Councill.
Provided the matter in diflerence exceed the [reall] value and sum of three hundred pounds
Sterlf and that such appeal be made within one fortnight after sentence and that Security be
likewise duly given by the Apellant to answer such Charges as shall be awarded in case
the first sentence shall be confirmed. And Provided also that Execution be not suspended
by reason of any such appeal unto Us, and where you shall judge any offender or oliendors
in Criminall Matters, or for any fines or forfeitures fitt objects for [Our] IMercy, you have full
Power and Authority, to pardon and remitt such offenders fines and forfeitures before or after
Sentence given. Treason and wilfull Murder only excepted, in which cases upon extraordmary
occasions you are to grant reprieves to the offenders, untlll our Royal Pleasure may be known
therein . ,

And whereas by our said Commission, we have given and granted unto you the saia

Vol. in. 108

858 NEW-YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Benjamin Fletclier h_y yourself your Captains and Coiiinianders by you to be authorized full
power and Autliority to Levy, Ann, Muster, Command and employ all Persons whatsoever
residing within our said Province under your Government, and as occasion shall serve them to
transfer from one Place to anotlier for the resisting and withstanding of all Enemies, Pyrats
and Rebells both at sea and at Land and to Transport such Forces to any of our Plantations
in America as occasion shall require lor the defence of the same against the Invasion or
attempts of any of our Enemies

And to execute Martial! Law in time of Livasion Insurrection or Warr, and during the
continuance of the same as also upon Soldiers in pay, and to do and execute, all and every
other thing or things, which to a Captain General doth or ought of Right to belong

And also to erect. Raise and build in our said Province such Forts Plattformes, Castles,
Cittys, Boroughs Towns and Fortifications as you bj^ the advice aforesaid shall Judge
necessary.

And the same or any of them to fortify and furnish with Ordnance Anmiunition and all
Sorts of Arms, fit and necessary for the Security and defence of our said Province

And whereas we have thereby [further] given and granted to you the said Benjamin
Fletcher full Power and Authority to erect one or more Court or Courts Admiral within
our Province of New York for the hearing and determining of all Marine [and other] Causes
and Matters proper therein to be heard w"" all reasonable and necessary Powers Authorities
Fees and Priviledges

And to exercise all Powers belonging to the place and oflice of Vice Admirall of and in all
the Seas and Coasts about our said Province accord" to such Commission, Authority and
Instructions as you shall receive from our self under the Seal of our Admiralty or from our
High Admirall or .Commissioners for executing the office of High Admirall of our Foreign
Plantacons for the time being

And to order and appoint Fairs, Marts, and Markets, as also such and so many Ports,
Harbours, Bays, Havens, and other Places for the convenience and security of Shipping, and
for the better loading and unloading of Goods and Merchandizes as by you with the advice and
consent of our said Councill shall be thought fitt and necessary, and in them or any of them to
erect nominate and appoint Custom Houses and officers relating thereunto, and them to alter
change place or displace from time to time as with the advice aforesaid shall be thought
fitt, with severall other Powers and Authorities granted and appointed you by our said
Commissioners' for the good Governing and for the Defence and security of our said Province
of New York and the Inhabit" thereof

And whereas by feason of great neglects and miscarriages in the Governvnent of our Province
of Pensilvania in America, and the absence of the Proprietor, the same is fallen into disorder
and confusion, by means whereof not only the publick Peace and administration of Justice,
(whereby the Properties of our subjects should be preserved in those parts) is broken and
violated — But there is also great want of Provision for the Guard and defence of our said
Province against our Enemy s whereby our said Province and the adjacent Colonies are much
exposed and in danger of being lost from the Crown of England for the Prevention whereof
as much as in us lyes, and for the better defence and security of our Subjects inhabiting those
Parts during this time of War We find it absolutely necessary to take the Govern' of our
Province of Pensilvania into our own hands and imdtu' our immediate care and Protection

' " Commisaiou. " Book of Commissions, II., G4. — En.

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VUl. 859

We therefore reposing especial Trust and confidence in the Prudence Courage and liOyaUy
of you the said Benjamin Fletcher, have thought fitt to constitute and appoint you the said
Benjamin Fletcher to be our Capt" Generall & Gov'' in Cheif in and over Our Province of
Pensilvauia and Countrey of New Castle, and all the Territories and Tracts of Land depending
thereon in America

And we do accordingly by these presents command and require you to take (he said Province
and Countrey under your Gov'

And for the better ordering Governing and ruling our said Province and Countrey, and the
Tracts and Territories depending thereon

We do hereby give and Grant unto you the said Benjamin Fletcher all and every the like
Powers and authorities as in our said Commission bearing date the eighteenth day of March
in the 4"" year of our Reign, are given granted and appointed you for the Ruling and
governing our said Province of New York to be exercis'^ in like manner by you the said
Benjamin Fletcher in and over onr said Province of Pensilvauia and Countrey of New Castle
and the Territories and Tracts of Land depending thereon in America

And we do hereby require and command yon to do and execute all things in due manner
that shall belong unto your said Command and the Trust u-e have rcceavcd we have reposed
in you according to the severall Powers and directions granted or appointed you by this present
Commission or [our] Commission aforesaid, and such other Instructions and authorities as are or
at any time hereafter shall be granted or app" you under our Signett and sign manuall or by our
order in our Privy Councill, and according to such reasonable Laws and Statutes as now are in
force or hereafter shall be made and agreed upon by you with the advice and consent of the
Comicill and Assembly of our Province of Pensilvauia and Countrey of New Castle aforesaid

And our Will and Pleasure is and we do by these presents require and command you the
said Benjamin Fletcher untill our further Pleasure shall be known, to nominate and appoint a
Lieut' Governor of our said Province of Pensilvauia and Countrey of New Castle, unto which
Lieut Gov"' We do hereby give and grant full Power and authority, to do and execute
whatsoever he shall be by you Authorized and appoinf* to do in pursuance and according to
the Powers and authorities hereby granted unto you

And our further Will and Pleasure is & we do by tiiese Presents require and command you
in like manner to nominate and appoint such and so many Councillors as you shall think
requisite for our Service, not exceeding the number of twelve Persons at the most out of the
tlie Principal Freeholders and Inhabitants of our said Province and Countrey which said
Councillors or any three of them shall be at all times held and deemed a Councill to be aiding
and assisting unto you and to our Lieut' Gov' w"' their advice in the administration of the
Publick Affairs of that our Province and Countrey

And we do hereby give and grant unto you full Power and Authority from time to time to
suspend such our Lieut' Governor or any the members of our Councill so appointed by you
from their Respective Places and Trusts if you shall find just cause for so doing and to appoint
others in their Stead

And whereas we have been informed of the good att'ection of the Inhabitants of our Colonies
of East and West New Jersey in America, and that tlie Militia of those Colonies consist of
fourteen hundred men well armed and disciplined and it being convenient in tliistime of danger
that the Forces of our Subjects inhabiting those Parts be united as much as may be upon all
occasions that may require the same we have therefore thought fitt, and we do by these
presents, grant full Powers and Authority to you the said Benjamin Fletcher ; and to tiie

8G0 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS.

Governor or Cojiininudor in Clicif of our Province of New York for the time l)eing for and
during tlii.s present war between their Majesties and the French King, to draw out and
coniuiand any part of tlie militia of our Colonies of East and West New Jersey in America,
not exceeding seven hundred men at any one time, and to cause them to march out of our said
Colonies for the security and defence of New York or Albany, or any other Parts or places of
our Province of New York under your Government, in Case of any Invasion Insurrection, or
attempt of the French or Indians upon our said Province or any part thereof.

And we do hereby require and command all officers and ministers Civill and military and
all other the Inhabitants of the Province of Pensilvania and Countrey of New Castle, and our
Colonies of East & West New Jersey respectively, to be obedient aiding and assisting unto
you the said Benjamin Fletcher in the e.xeciition of this our Commiss" & the Powers and
Authorities herein contained. And in case of your death or absence out of our Provinces of
New Yo!'k and Pensilvania our Cbuntre}' of New Castle and our Colonies of east and West
New Jersey to be obedient aiding and assisting unto such person as shall be appointed by Us,
to be Connnander in Clieif of our Province of New York for the time being to whom we do
therefore by these presents give and grant all and singular the Powers and authorities aforesaid,
to be execuf' and enjoyed by him for and during our Pleasure, or uutill your arrival within
our Provinces and Countries aforesaid — And if upon such death or absence there be no person
residing within our [said] Provinces or Countries Commissionated or appointed by Us, to be
Commander in Cheif of our Province of New York

Our Will and Pleasure is that the then Psent Council of New York do take upon them the
administration of the Government of our Province of Pensilvania and Countre^y of New
Castle, & execute this Commission and the several Powers and Authoritys herein contained
in like manner as in the Government of our Province of New York

And lirstly we do by these Presents declare and appoint that you the s'' Benjamin Fletcher
shall and ma}^ hold Exercise and enjoy the office and Place of Capt" General and Governor in
Cheif [in] and over our Province of Pensilvania and Countrey of New Castle and the Territories
and Tracts of Land depending thereon in America during our Will and Pleasure

I have passed & approve this Draught.

Geo TREnv

Memd'"

Coll Fletchers Connnission for the Clov' of Pensilvania
&c hears date of the great Seal I'roni the 2P' day of
October 1(392 in the fourth j-ear of their Miit'"^^" Reign —

Me MI)"'

ISIy Lord President is desired l)y the Lords ol' the Connnitt.ee of Trade and Plantacons to
n^fi'sent to lier Majesty in Councill the draught of a Commission and Instructions' for Coll
Fletcher for the Government of Pensilvania and command of the half of the Militia of New
Jersey for the assistance of New York

Council Chamber the
27"' June 1692

[Til.- w.M-.ls In Il'iln-K :ir.' ..mill..'.l in U,.. ()\\\,-rA iv,.i.l ,,f \\u- incf-otliTi^' Jnt-iiiii.^nl, in Book of Vommlssions, 1]., 59,
Inn, I Hlii.'h (he wunls witliiii l.ra.'KctB ill v iiiscH.'.l. -- Km. |

LONDON DOCUMENTS : VITI. 861

Iii-vt ructions of (rovervo)' I^hicJttr.

[ Sew-Tork Entry, II. 419. ]

William R

Instructions for our Trusty and Welbeloved lieiijamin Fletcher Esq''^ our C apt"
Geu" & Governor in Clieif in and over our Provinces of New York and
Pensilvania and our Country of New Castle and all y"^ Territories & Tracts
of Land depending thereon in America

With these our Instructions you will receive our Commission under our Great Seal of
England Constituting and appointing you our Capt" Generall and Governor in Cheif in and
over our Province of Pensilvania and Countrey of New Castle and all the Territories and
Tracts of Land depending in America, with all and every the like Powers and authorities as
in our Commission hearing date the eighteenth day of March in the Fourth year of our Reign
are given granted and appointed you for the Ruling and Governing our Province of New York

And you ai-e upon the receipt of our said Commission and these our Instructions forthwith
to repair to our Province of Pensilvania and Countrey of New Castle and take upon you the
Government of our said Province and Countrey and execute our said Commission and the
Place and Trust we have reposed in you

You are upon your arrivall there to call together the principal Freeholders and Inhabitants of
our said Province and Countrey, and with all due and usual solemnity to cause our said
Commission under our Great Seal of England constituting you our Capt" General and Gov'' in
Cheif of our said Province and Countrey to he published there

And you are thereupon to nominate and appoint a Lieut' Governor and such and so many
Councillors as you shall think requisite for our Service, not exceeding the number of twelve
Persons out of the Principal Freeholders of our said Province and Countrey sending unto Us,
and to the Lords of our Privy Council appf" Committee for Trade and Foreign Plantations y'=
names and Characters of such Persons as shall be appointed by you to be our Lieut' Governor
and Councillors for our said Province and Countrey and so from time to time as you shall
suspend or alter any of them, that you may thereupon receive our approbation or disallowance
of the same

And whereas by our said Commission we have thought fitt to authorize and direct you to
administer to our said Lieutenant Governor and to every of tlie members of the Council and
Assembly @ all other officers and Majistrates whatsoever the oaths appointed by Act of
Parliament to be taken instead of the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy. In case there
should not be found Persons enough within our said Province of Pensilvania and Countrey of
New Castle of good estate and abilities for the said Trusts who are willing to take the said
Oaths, you are never the less to cause such of them as shall refuse to take the said Oaths
instead thereof to subscribe the Declaration of Fidelity contained in the Act of Parliam' made
at Westminster in the third year of our Reign Eutituled an act for exempting Their Majesties
Protestant Subjects Dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalty of certain Laws.
Whereupon you are to admitt the s^ Persons to the exercise of their respective offices and
Places Given at our Court at Whitehall the 28 daj^ of October 1692 In the Iburth year of
our Reign

Ly his Mat^" Command

Nottingham

*%

*

CORRIGENDA.

Page 363. (Note.) Omit " piohably," and for "Guadeloupe," read "St. Domingo." See De I'lsle's
Carte dii ISIexiqJie et de la Floride, Sfc, 1703.

Page 425. 9th line from the bottom. The name "John Wolfe," in the text, is according to the MS.;
but it ought to be John West.

FOR GENERAL INDEX TO THIS WORK, SEE THE LAST VOLUME.

H 99 78 .

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